Letter Writing Guiding Material - Letter to Editor, Business Letters, CBSE English Ref- CBSETUTS Website, and Reference Link shared.

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Notes on various types of letters
Letter to Editor – LTE
Tips to help you get your letter to the editor published
Why write a letter to the editor?
Even politicians, businesses and organisations can find it difficult to get
their stories reported and published, so it can be even trickier for
individuals to make their mark in the media.
The purpose of letters to the editor pages in newspapers is to give
everyday people an opportunity to publish their views, comment on a
recent article and respond to the issues of the day. This makes writing a
letter to the editor one of the easiest ways to get your message across to
thousands of readers.
As we are to write Formal Letters as per the CBSE Formats, we need to
ensure that we do follow the rules and compose the letter in exams, as
expected by the examiners. The purpose for us initially is to get good
marks and then use this SKILL in our life.
A letter to the editor may well be one of the trickiest few paragraphs you
will ever write. You must capture the readers’ attention in the first sentence
and win them over within a few sentences. Here are some tips:
Be timely and topical
If you are responding to something that appeared in the newspaper, you
need to send your letter to the editor that very day or, at the latest, the
next day. Sending a letter on Thursday about an issue that appeared in
Monday’s paper is a waste of time because it will not be published. Media
moves quickly and if you wait a day or two, the news outlet may have
already moved on to another topic.
If you raise a problem, it must be done timely and the letter should relate
to the topic, not to random expressions.

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Keep it brief
The best thing is to keep it concise and compact. Keep the word limits or
the explanation limits as discussed with the educator, as per the exam
patterns.
Keep it simple
There simply isn’t space in a letter to the editor to cover more than one
topic. If the issue is complex, select a couple of key points and write about
those.
Tailor your letter (this is a tip for future use of LTE)
If you write the same letter and send it to five newspapers, with five
different types of readers, you risk it being published in none. Editors look
for particular things in the letters they publish. They also don’t want to
publish a letter that may be published somewhere else. Choose a paper
and read the letters to the editor section for a couple of weeks to see if
you can pick up at the style and tone of the letters that get published.
Clean and Clear handwriting
The handwriting shall be the key to make the reader see the goodness in
your letter. When we type, we follow the format the same way, but less
bothered about handwriting. In the exam, keep it clean and clear for the
reader.
Be logical
Your letter needs an opening, middle and end (Body of the Letter). Begin
your letter by briefly stating the argument you are making. The middle part
of your letter is where you can set out the points you want to make and
provide any evidence to back up your case. Close your letter by restating
your position, making a succinct comment and state the Action Required.
Refer to the original article
If you are responding to an article or letter published in the newspaper,
make sure you refer to it at the outset. The correct way to do this for
articles is to cite the title of the article and the date on which it was
published.

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Get to the point
Remember that if the information isn’t essential, you don’t need it. You
aren’t writing an essay, so you don’t need to cover every angle, rather,
you are crafting a clever and concise couple of sentences which must
inform and have an impact.
Advance the argument
Ask yourself whether you are saying something new, or simply re-hashing
arguments that have been made before. A letter with nothing to add to a
debate is unlikely to be published or impress the reader.
Back it up with facts, when needed
Your statements, justifications and data need to be logical as well as fact-
based. Do not beat around the bush or share fictional information.
Don’t get personal
Don’t attack the editor, the newspaper, or the authors of previous letters.
Venomous letters rarely get published. You can express anger in your
letter, but try to focus that anger on the issue rather than a particular
person and don’t write anything which could get you sued!
Edit and proofread
In exams, ensure that you avoid Spelling or Grammatical Errors.
In real life - Finish your letter and put it aside for an hour. Look at it with
fresh eyes. Do the arguments make sense? Is it written logically? If you
are worried about your expression, spelling or grammar, get a friend to
look over it for you.
(Reference)

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Some Sample Letters:
Write a letter to the Editor of National Herald, New Delhi about water scarcity in your locality
suggesting ways to improve the position of water supply. You are Ramnath/ Reema of
Ghaziabad.
A-24, Kavi Nagar
Ghaziabad
May 19, 20XX
The Editor
National Herald
New Delhi-110001
Sir
Subject: Water crisis in Kavi Nagar
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the
concerned authorities towards the problem of water scarcity in our locality.
It is still early summer and the residents are already facing acute water shortage in the area.
The supply is cut off at 8.30 a.m. and is restored only for half an hour in the evening between
6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Since the timings are erratic, many people, especially, the working couples
are unable to store water. Frequent complaints to the Jal Board haven’t yielded any result as
the authorities express their helplessness saying that one of the tanks of the Hyderpur Water
Treatment Plant is under repair and has been shut down for a month or so thereby affecting
the water supply in the area. But it is nearly one and a half months since the problem began,
yet there is no respite to the residents.
The Jal Board should, in the meantime, make provisions for water tankers at different horns
of the day. Also, measures must be taken to expedite the repair work.
Yours sincerely
Ramnath /Reema

5. Page 5 of 12
You are a resident of Mahalakshmi Apartments, Patparganj, Delhi. Your residential area is
flooded with roadside dwellers who are deprived of the basic civic amenities like light, public
toilets and bathrooms. Write a letter to the Editor of The Hindustan Times, highlighting the
problems of these roadside dwellers, and also the problems posed by them to the public. Give
suggestions for improvement.
Mahalakshmi Apartments
Patparganj
Delhi
19 May 20XX
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
KG. Marg
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Restoring basic amenities to the roadside dwellers of Patparganj
Through the columns of your renowned paper, I would like to request the authorities
concerned to provide basic amenities to the roadside dwellers of Patparganj area.
Due to floods the residential area of Mahalakshmi Apartment, Patparganj has been flooded
with roadside dwellers who are deprived of basic civic amenities such as light, public toilets
and bathrooms. The local authorities should immediately set up tents for these people,
provide medical aid and make available other necessities at the earliest.
They have lost their huts due to floods. Everything is wet and unusable. This is a terrible thing
to see.
I’m sure these lines in the columns of your paper will awaken the concerned authorities to
take immediate remedial measures to help the roadside dwellers.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
XYZ
A Resident
(Mahalakshmi Apartments)

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Practice Tasks:
1. You are Ranjit Singh of 27, Surya Colony, Jaipur. You feel disturbed after
reading the news of starvation deaths in villages of Rajasthan. Write a
letter to the Editor of The Jaipur Herald drawing his attention to the
sufferings of the poor in this year of severe drought and suggesting
measures of providing relief to the unfortunate victims.
2. Write a letter to the Editor of The Indian Express about the impact of
watching too much television on the health and studies of school-going
children.
3. You are Nandita Patnaik of 25, Ring Road, Cuttack. You came across an
advertisement based on laser technology to help ladies look best. You feel
strongly about the dangers inherent in the use of these synthetic
chemicals and overexposure of skin to laser beams. Write a letter to the
Editor of The Sun, highlighting the possible dangers to the users and
suggesting action against the exploiters.
4. Pramod Goel of Shimla is worried that despite a legal ban on the
trafficking of drugs, a large number of school-going youth are becoming
drug addicts. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper pointing out
the harmful effects of drug addiction and suggesting steps to curb it.
5. You are Aditi/Aditya Verma of 27, Begham Pul, Meerut. A tanning factory
is proposed to be set up in the new industrial area just across the playing
fields of your school. You feel strongly about this plan as it would prove
disastrous for the health of young children as well as other citizens. Your
protests to the authorities have borne no fruit. Write a letter to the Editor
of The Times of India highlighting the problem and offering suggestions.

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Official Letters:
(Letters that are written to Civic or other officials for assistance or help or some
information)
 Letter to a Civic Body officer
 Letter to the Principal of the school
 Letter to a Bank Manager
The above are some purpose-based types, we shall add more to this list.
As Sports Secretary of your school, write a letter to the Secretary of the Sports Authority
of India, Delhi requesting him for details regarding the sports scholarships that are
available for students.
St. Mark’s School
Janakpuri
New Delhi
20 May 20XX
The Secretary
Sports Authority of India
New Delhi
Subject: Information regarding Sports Scholarship
Sir
I have come to know from my friend in Punjab that the Sports Authority of
India awards scholarships to sportspersons and athletes who distinguish
themselves in various sports disciplines during their school days. The tenure
of these sports scholarship varies from three to five years.
Some of our athletes have topped at the district level and have been selected
for national events. They are keen to know the availability of sports
scholarship awarded under your benign guidance. The specific conditions
and eligibility criteria may please be intimated to us.
I hope you will provide the necessary information at your earliest.
Yours faithfully
S. Narula
Sports Secretary

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Draft/Sample written for your observations:
You can improve it.
3535, Sector 4
Kurukshetra
18 May 2021
The Editor
The Tribune
Chandigarh
Subject: Regarding the poor condition of roads in the residential areas of sector 4,
Kurukshetra
Respected Sir
I am a resident of Sector 4, Kurukshetra. This communication is about the poor conditions of
roads in our area.
We wish to bring it to the notice of authorities through your esteemed daily. Despite repeated
requests and representations, the concerned departments have not done any corrective
actions. The roads, that were made 05 years ago, are in a poor condition. The contractors
were expected to repair it every year. However, nothing has happened to solve the issue.
To add to the troubles for the residents, during the rains, the situation becomes really
challenging. People driving two-wheelers often get hurt badly. Children are at the worst end
of this issue. They do not have safety while they walk or even try to play. The matter has been
brought to the notice of the concerned officials multiple times and the copies of the letter
sent to them are attached with this letter.
We request you to carry our concern in the editorial or as a piece of news so that this matter
comes to light for the…
Thanking you.
Yours sincerely
…………

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LETTERS OF ENQUIRY/ASKING FOR INFORMATION
Write a letter to Lightways Sports, Amrapali, Thane, placing an order for sports articles (minimum
4) to be supplied to your school, ABC School, Civil Lines, Pune. Sign as Ravi/Raveena, Sports
Secretary.
ABC School
Civil Lines, Pune-411013
11 March 20XX
Lightways Sports
Amrapali, Thane-400203
Subject: Sports Articles for the School
Dear Sir
As the Sports Day of the school is being held next month, we want you to supply the following sports
articles as soon as possible. This will help the students start their preparation timely.
Item Brand Quantity Item Brand Quantity
I. Footballs Nivea 4 IV. Batting Gloves (pairs) SVG 8
II. Cricket bats SVG 6 V. Basketballs Spalding 4
III. Cricket balls SVG 6 VI. Tennis balls Cosco 12
Please send the goods to the school on any weekday between 8 am and 2 pm. You are also
requested to send the bill after allowing the discount given to schools. Payment will be made after
the consignment is received and checked by the Games department of the school.
Further, please ensure the quality of the consignment. If defects are found in the goods, the whole
consignment will be returned without any payment.
Thanking you.
Yours faithfully
Ravi/Raveena
Sports Secretary

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You are Vivek /Varsha, Head Boy/Girl of Zenith Public School, Ashok Vihar, New Delhi.
You have to organise short tours to Agra, Jaipur and Chandigarh. Write a letter to
Globe Tours and Travels, 235, Nehru Place, New Delhi, enquiring about their terms for
conducted tours by deluxe buses.
Also ask about the fare, boarding and lodging charges and arrangements, total time
of the trip and mode of payment.
Zenith Public School
Ashok Vihar
New Delhi
16 July 20XX
M/s Globe Tours and Travels
235 Nehru Place
New Delhi
Subject: Enquiry about conducted tours
Respected Sir
We organise short educational tours to places of social and historical interest during the
autumn/winter break. The likely places of visit this year are Agra, Jaipur and Chandigarh.
Please let me know your terms for conducted tours by deluxe buses to the places mentioned
above. The rates should include lodging/boarding charges, fare per km per bus.
I would like to know the kind of boarding and lodging facilities provided by you, the duration
of the journey and halting charges if any.
Please let me know if group discount and student discount are admissible if we charter a
bus.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Yours faithfully
Vivek Malhotra/Varsha
Head Boy

11. Page 11 of 12
Letter of Complaint:
DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE
You are Keerti / Karishma of 26, Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad. Last week you bought an automatic ‘VIP’
Washing Machine from Mis Tirupati Stores, Nampalli, Hyderabad. Now you find that the machine is
not cleaning clothes properly and making unbearable noise. Write a letter to the dealer complaining
about the same and requesting him to change the washing machine at the earliest. (Word limit: 200
words)
26, Mehdipatnam
Hyderabad
10 March 20XX
The Marketing Manager
Tirupati Stores
Nampalli, Hyderabad
Subject: Complaint about defective ‘VIP’ washing machine
Sir
It was only last month, 7th February to be precise that I bought an automatic ‘VTF washing machine
from you. The Model No. is VIP XL-410W and the Invoice No. is 2365 dated 7 Feb., 20XX.
Last week it started giving us trouble. It is not cleaning the clothes at all. In fact, the clothes remain
as dirty after the mechanical operation as they were before the wash. Secondly, it has been making
unbearable noise. Kindly send your mechanic to examine and repair it. In case the damage is beyond
repair or a serious mechanical one, kindly replace it at the earliest as the washing machine is still
within the guarantee period.
Hoping for an early response.
Yours sincerely
Keerti /Karishma

12. Page 12 of 12
Practice
1. Write a letter to the Editor of The Indian Express about the impact of
watching too much television on the health and studies of school-going
children.
2. You are Saurabh/Mehak from 576, ABC Apartments, Green Lines,
Chandigarh. Write a letter of complaint about the defective smart TV you
had purchased from the Sunrise Enterprises, Sector 22, Chandigarh.
3. As the Student Coordinator of the Annual Fest of your school, write a
letter to a Catering Service Company (invent a name and address yourself)
ask for quotation/price-list of various food items (minimum 06).
4. You are Rajesh/Reena of Jai Public School, Karnal. You are selected by
your state to represent your state at the National Athletics Meet. Write a
letter to your Principal requesting him/her to grant you permission to
attend the school one hour late for a fortnight as you have to attend the
Athletics coaching at the training camp.