Writing a letter giving advice

Situation: A letter to give advice

Your friend, Pat who has just moved to Canada, has sent you a letter to
ask you for some advice about choosing a friend.
Dear Chris,
I am feeling very unhappy. Can you give me some help?
I have arrived in Canada for 3 months but I still dont have any friends. I have tried
very hard to make friends at school but people dont like to talk to me. I dont know
why. People here are so different from the people we can find in Hong Kong. I
dont know how I can make friends and whom I can make friends with.
You are always a very popular student at school. Can you tell something about the
ways I can make friends? Whom I can make friends with? Where can I make
more friends? Please give me some advice.
Love,
Pat
Now, you are going to write a reply to Pats letter. To help you, an outline is given. Use the
outline to make a writing plan.

Writing Plan
Dear Pat,
st

In the 1 paragraph, show

that you read Pats letter.
Show sympathy and
support.

In the 2nd paragraph, show

that you understand Pats
problem. Offer her some
advice about this problem.

Im sorry to hear about your problems. Please

do not worry. There are several things you can
do to solve the problems.

Its very common for students to have problems

making friends. If I were you, I would

In the 3rd paragraph, tell

Pat what a good friend
should be and describe
what a good friend does.

Finding a good friend is not easy. I think you

should find someone who is

In the final paragraph,

express hope that advice
helps Pat. Offer further
help if needed.

I hope this advice helps you. Please write to me

again if you need more help.

Closing

Best wishes,

Signature

Chris
P.1

Useful words and phrases

Characteristics of a good friend and description of

these qualities

kind (gentle to everyone/ always helps others)

loyal (always keeps promises/ is always on your side)

understanding (understands what peoples problems)

thoughtful (thinks about other people feel)

helpful (always helps others)

cheerful (is always happy )

funny (always tells jokes)

Advice about making friends

join some school clubs to meet new people

take up a leisure activity after school hours

participate in extra- curricular activities

join some study groups to make new friends

talk to school teachers about how to make friends

ask the school counselor for help

P.2

1.

Here is a suggested outline for your letter.

Beginning

Dear John,

1st paragraph

Introduction

2nd paragraph

Advice on how to make friends

Where can you meet new friends?

What should you do to meet new

friends?

3rd paragraph

Advice on who John can make friends with

What qualities should good friends have?

What should good friends do? Any examples?

4th paragraph

What should John do to make himself a good friend?

Closing

Hope the information will be useful to you/ I hope that my advice is helpful to
you/ Please write to me again if you need more help

Bye for now.

Best wishes,

Your name

P.3