Letter to the Editor

1. Letter to the Editor
Use of English

2. Introduction
 You are going to learn the following
things about the letter to the editor…
 The purpose
 The format
 The organization
 The language

3. Why do we write letters
to the editors?
 To comment on news item, articles,
other people’s letters
 To complain
 To express opinions on controversial
issues
 To praise, thank, suggest, etc.

4. Format
Date
Dear Sir / Madam,
(Heading)
(Introduction)
(Body)
(Conlcusion)
Yours faithfully,
(Your Signature)

5. Format
 Heading :
– State briefly the topic you want to talk about in
the letter
– Example: Hazard to the Public
 Introduction:
– Identify the topic of the letter in your first
paragraphs
– Example: I have read something about the use
of mobile phones and I would like to write a few
words about this.

6. Format
 Body:
– Develop your argument in detail in the body of
your letter
– Example:
 As from the articles, I learnt that the use of mobile
phones may cause damage to the brain. Certainly their
use causes great annoyance to everyone who has to
listen to their beeping and ringing, and people
shouting into them. What else is a hazard to oneself
and to the public? Smoking is one of it and now,
smoking is banned or prohibited in many public areas.
People are fined for the inconsiderate action they have
done to others.

7. Format
 Conclusion:
– End with an indication of action you expect to be
taken. Or, call for reader’s support to your ideas.
– Example:
 So, let’s do the same with the use of mobile phones.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Nono
 Sample: Exercise_Letter to a
Parent.doc

8. Points to note in writing
the letter
 Underline the heading of you letter
 A reply letter: underline all the points
which you are going to comment on or
discuss
 Make sure that your facts are correct,
with some evidence and reasons for
your points

9. Points to note in writing
the letter
 One opinion or argument in one
paragraph
 Be polite and reasonable.
 Read the instructions carefully – are
you writing comments on a new
issue or replying to a given letter?

10. Some phrases you can
use
 1. Opening (Introduction)
– I’m writing to express my views on… / concern
about…/ support for… / opposition to…
– I would like to draw your (somebody’s) attention
to…
– I would like to respond to (somebody’s name) ’s
letter about…
– I want to comment on (somebody’s name) ‘s
letter about…

11. Some phrases you can
use
 2. Expressing your opinions
– In my opinion, …
– I think…
– I feel…
– To my mind, …
– In my view, / From my point of view, …
– As I see it, …
– To me, …
– As far as I’m concerned, …

12. Some phrases you can
use
 If you support / agree…
– I support…
– I’m in favour of…
– I’m all for…
– I absolutely / totally agree with (other writer) ‘s
point about…
– (Other writer) is quite right to say that…
– I am in total agreement with (Other writer)
about…

13. Some phrases you can
use
 If you oppose / disagree…
– I’m against…
– I’m opposed to…
– I oppose…
– I completely disagree with (other writer) ‘s point
about…
– I’m afraid I don’t agree with… (More polite)
– I don’t entirely agree with… (More polite)

14. Some phrases you can
use
 If you agree partially and disagree
with other parts…
– While I agree that…, …I can’t support…