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 don’t have any friends. I have tried
very hard to make friends at school but people don’t like to talk to me. I don’t know
why. People here are so different from the people we can find in Hong Kong. I
don’t 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 Pat’s letter. To help you, an outline is given. Use the
outline to make a writing plan.

Writing Plan
Dear Pat,
In the 1 paragraph, show
st

that you read Pat’s letter. I’m sorry to hear about your problems. Please
Show sympathy and
do not worry. There are several things you can
support.
do to solve the problems.

In the 2nd paragraph, show

that you understand Pat’s
problem. Offer her some
It’s very common for students to have problems
advice about this problem.
making friends. If I were you, I would …

In the 3rd paragraph, tell Finding a good friend is not easy. I think you
Pat what a good friend
should be and describe should find someone who is …
what a good friend does.

In the final paragraph, I hope this advice helps you. Please write to me
express hope that advice
helps Pat. Offer further again if you need more help.
help if needed.

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 people’s 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