DELTA

Writing

The Genre Approach

Both of the texts reproduced below were written by intermediate level students of English
(Cambridge First candidates). Although neither is a model ‘letter of complaint’, most readers
presented with them consider one to be more acceptable than the other.

Which letter do you prefer and why?

Letter A

Dear Sirs,

After waiting for two weeks for a reply about the letter of complain I send to you. I thought it was
necessary for me to write you again in order to let you know how disappointed I am.

My present accommodation is rather ramshackle and moreover I haven’t got enough basic facilities,
like a real shower with hot water or a toilet flush which is not all the time out of order.

I am expecting from you to something about it as soon as possible, because my conditions of living
are rather rough.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Letter B

Dear Sir,

I am very unhappy with the accommodation you have arranged for me. I have already argued in
person but in vain; here the bathroom is dirty and the shower doesn’t work and more over a security
system is inexistent.

I would like to have a more suitable accommodation.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Writing, Tribble, OUP, 1997

DELTA
Writing