The document provides a model answer for a formal letter or email to the editor of a local newspaper in response to negative comments made about relations between international students and local people. The 3 sentence summary is: The social secretary at a language college writes to the newspaper editor to explain that the comments were unfair and did not apply to their school, where students are kept busy with activities, and to invite locals to the college's upcoming open day event to experience the positive relations themselves.

5. Ready for Writing
Part 2: Formal letter/email
You are the social secretary at Lambert College, a language school for international
students. The local newspaper has recently made several negative comments on
relations between international students and local people which you consider
to be unfair. You decide to send an email to the editor of the newspaper. Your
email should
• explain why the comments were unfair.
• invite local people to an event at the school.
Write your email
Model answer
formal register - --....""""' To the Editor
appropriate
use of linking
devices
I am writing with regard to your article 'Poor International Relations',
which appeared in last Saturday's edition of your newspaper. I should
like to make it clear to readers that the comments made do not apply to
a// language schools in Easton.
Firstly, the impression your writer gave of poor relations between
students and their host families is certainly not true of Lambert College,
where I am soc1a1 ec t:La1 In fact, the reason why our students are
rarely at home is thatthey are kept extremely busy during the day. In
addition to the normal timetable of classes. the college offers students
reason for
~--
writing
reasons Seldom does a day go by without a trip to a sporting event, a theatre
<l
a full programme of social and cultural events throughout their stay.
why the or a place of historical interest. The extremely positive feedback
comments · we receive from students on their host family experience is further
were unfair · evidence of excellent relations.
Ithe invitation to
an event - with
expansion and
detail
desired I
-----'>
outcome
I must also disagree with the suggestion that schools do nothing to
promote understanding between students and the community. Indeed,
I would like to take this opportunity to invite all Eastoners to attend
Lambert College's annual Open Day on Saturday August 25th from
midday onwards. This event includes the chance to observe an English
class in progress, an international buffet with dishes prepared by
students and a number of team competitions.
I very much hope you will print this email in your newspaper and we
look forward to seeing a high turnout at the Open Day.
Yours faithfully
198
Przemyslaw Sokolowski
Task
Last weekend you stayed at a hostel with a group of
teenage students from the college where you work as
Events Organizer. The hostel manager has emailed you
complaining about the students' behaviour, and saying
that students from your college will no longer be able to
stay there.
You decide to send an email back to the hostel manager.
Your email should
• explain what happened during the weekend.
• say why the manager should change his decision.
Write your email in 220-260 words.
Reason for writing
I am writing with regard/reference to ...
I am writing to express (my concern about/
disappointmentwith/disapproval of/apologies for) .. .
Iwould like to draw your attention to/point out ...
Introducing points
(I feel) I must also (dis)agree with .. .
I should also like to point out that ...
Your (article) states that ... However, .. .
Request for action
I would appreciate it/be grateful ifyou would .. .
I look forward to receiving/seeing ...
I trust/very much hope you will ...

6. reason for
writing
relevant
experience
separate
paragraphs
for each
issue
Ready for Writing
Letter of application
You have seen this advertisement in an international magazine.
WRITERS REQUIRED
We are looking for people to write for this magazine about environmental issuesin their local area
that would be of interest to readers in other countries. We would like to hear from anyone who has
• an interest in environmental concerns.
• an awareness of environmental issues affecting their local area.
• some experience of writing.
Send us a letter of application, explaining why you think you are suitable and describing tw o
environmental issues currently affecting your local area.
Write your letter of application.
Model answer
De..ar ~ir(Madam
_ __ _
41
{ Iam writing in res:pons:eto your re.qciectfor writers:, which appears: in this: month's: edition of
'Global Concerns:'.
{
Iam an active member ofthe Green ~ociety at myunivers:ity, where Iam wrrently ctudying
--) marine biology. The aim ofthes:ociety isto raise awareness: ofenvironmental concerns:
- - - amon~ ~udents and within the local community. As well as organizing debateg on matters of
local and global importance. weals:o publis:h a monthlyjournal to which Iregularlycontribute.
{
The economy ofmy region is largelybas:ed on forectry farming and fkhingand s:ince it is: likely
that manyofyour readers: livein areas: with similar characteristics, Iam suretheywould be
interected to readabouttheproblems facing w:. L<ict summer.for example.the petrol tanker
'Intrigue' sank offour coact, spilling large quantities ofoil into the sea with devastating effectsfor
marine wildlife and thefishing industry.
{
In addition, theforectry inductry herehas: recently come under heavycriticismfrom
environmentalicts:. Thefast-growing eucalyptus is planted inctead oftrees: which arenative
tothe region. Unfortunately, however.theeucalyptus allowsnothingelsetogrow below it,
preventing other plants: and animals:from s:urviving on thefores:tfloor.'Readers: who are
unawareofthis: situation might learn agreatdeal from an article on it
appropriately
formal register
reasons why the
issues would be
of interest to
readers
expressing ----~ { Iam convinced that issues: likethese would be ofinterectto peoplein other countries: and I
suitability and would very much liketohavethe opportunityto writeaboutthemforyour magazine.
desire for the job Ilookforward to hearingfrom you.
Voursfaithfully
Lis:a tllanco
T
ask
Either: a write your own answer to the task above;
or b answer the following question.
WRITERS REQUIRED
We are looking for people to write for this magazine about people in their
local area whose work, achievements or lifestyle would be ofinterest to an
intern ational readership.
Send us a letter ofapplication, explaining why you think you are suitable and
giving examples oftwo local people, living or dead, that you would write about.
Write your letter of application in 220- 260 words.
(For useful language, see page 10 in Unit 1 of the Workbook.)
203

7. Formal letters and emails
You have seen the following announcement on the 'Young World' website:
Wanted: TV presenter
We are an international TV company planningto make a series of programmes,
in English, about issues of interest to young people around the world. Could
you help to present the show? If you think you arethe right person for the job,
write to me, John Finch, giving reasonsfor this. You should also explain which
issue you think we should highlight in our first programme, and why.
Write your letter in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
1 Use formal language when writing to a person in authority such as the
head of a company, the editor of a newspaper, or a college principal.
2 Open with 'Dear ... ' and use the person's name if known, otherwise use
'Dear Sir/Madam'.
3 Start by giving your reason for writing.
4 Group similar ideas together and develop them to form paragraphs.
5 Link sentences and paragraphs carefully using appropriate linking
phrases.
6 Start a new paragraph when you change topic.
7 Use a good range of vocabulary and structures.
8 Make sure your grammar and punctuation are correct.
9 Close your letter with a set phrase.
10 End with 'Yours faithfully' if you don't know the person's name, or
'Yours sincerely' if you do.
IIJ Writing Guid

8. Dear Sir or Madam (2)
I have seen your announcement on the 'Young World' website and am writing to apply for the post
of presenter for your forthcoming series. (3)
(4) I am twenty years old and, as you will see, I have a great deal of appropriate experience.
(5) First, I am a trainee journalist and have been taking care of the 'Young People Today' section
of my local newspaper for the past few months. In this role, I spend a lot of time interviewing young
people on issues they find important, which ties in well with the post you are offering. (5) Secondly,
I belong to an amateur drama group. Having played many acting roles, I would be very much at ease
in front of an audience. (5) Last but not ltast, I am well able to present the series in English since my
mother comes from the United Kingdom and I am bilingual.
(6) The issue I suggest we focus on, given the age of our target audience, (7) is emotional
relationships.Young people have many difficulties in this area, whether it be in forming new
friendships, boy-girl relationships, dealing with break-ups or coping with family upheavals. (7)
Aprogramme that illustrated typical problems and offered advice on dealing with each of
these would, I am sure, be seen as extremely helpful and could even become essential viewing. (7)
I hope I have shown that I would be an ideal presenter and that you like my ideas for the programmes.
I look forward to hearing from you. (9)
Yours faithfully (10)
Mirand.a :Jimenez.
phrase bank
•
•
•
•
•
•
Starting your letter
Dear Sir/Madam,
Dear Mr/M rs
Reason for writing
I am writing to apply for ...
I am writing to you about/with regard to ...
I am writing in response to ...
I am writing to enquire /complain about ...
I would like to apologise for ...
Giving personal information
I've been studying ... for the past two years.
I currently work as a ... so 1am used to ...
Making suggestions
The issue I suggest we focus on is .... This is because ...
1propose we begin with ··· . The reason for this is that
My first suggestion would be to .... Let me explain why: ..
Concluding remarks
I hope my application will meet with your approval.
I hope I have shown that ...
I hope you will find this information of use.
I trust you will look into this matter fully.
I hope you understand my concern about this matter.
I would be very grateful for your help in this matter.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Signing off
Yours faithfully,
Yours sincerely,
Writing Guide 11