Letters to the editor

Letters to the editor of a newspaper or a magazine are written when you want to express your opinion about a
topic that is of interest to the general public, to show your agreement or disagreement or to discuss a problem and
suggest solutions. Letters to the editor should consist of:
a) an introduction in which you clearly give the reason for writing and your opinion about the topic.
Note: If your letter is written in reply to another letter or article, you should also mention where and when you read
it as well as the name of the person who wrote it.
b) a main body in which you present the problems and their consequences or suggestions and results in separate
paragraphs.
c) a conclusion in which you summarise your opinion or restate it using different words.
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS AND LINKING WORDS/PHRASES

To begin your letter: I am writing to express my approval/disapproval of/support for …; I am writing with
regard to …; I am writing about …; I have just read a … in your … about …; etc.
To state your opinion: In my opinion …; I (don’t) feel/believe/think …; I am (totally) opposed to/in favour of
…; I strongly agree/disagree with …; etc.
To express consequence/results: This will/would mean …; Then …; Therefore …; As a result …; If we do/did
this …: Obviously …, Clearly …; etc.
To end your letter: I hope my comments/suggestions/etc., will be taken into consideration …; I hope the
government/local council/we will …; I hope something will be done about this urgently, etc .
A° READ THE RUBRIC AND UNDERLINE THE KEYWORDS THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS
The local council of the town you live in has decided to build a large shopping centre. Write down a
letter to the editor of the local newspaper expressing your views on the matter .
1. Who is going to read the letter? 2. What is the reason for writing the letter?
3. How would you begin and end your letter?
4. a) Is there a shopping centre in your town? What can you buy there? Is it popular with shoppers?
b) Which of the following problems can a shopping centre cause?
noise pollution heavy traffic litter in the streets sea pollution
c) Would you like a new shopping centre near your house? What would be the advantages or disadvantages? Think
about: crowded streets, convenience, noise/air pollution, variety of shops, traffic, smaller shops closing down,
how the area will change.
B° READ AND LABEL THE PARAGRAPHS WITH THESE HEADINGS
second problem and consequence reason for writing and opinion first problem and consequences
summary of opinion

Dear sir/madam,
I am writing about Trent Council’s decision to build a large shopping centre in our town. I strongly
disagree with this decision and I believe that it will have negative effects on the town. HHHHHHHHHH
Firstly, a shopping centre will turn Trent from a quiet peaceful neighbourhood into a busy shopping
area. Obviously, there will be an increase in the amount of traffic and the number of people coming into
town. As a result, we will suffer from air and noise pollution. HHHHHHHHH H
Secondly, the appearance of our town will change completely. In order for the shopping centre to be
built some of our oldest and most beautiful buildings will have to be torn down. Therefore, Trent’s
surroundings as well as its character will be destroyed. HHHHHHHHH H
To sum up, I am totally opposed to the council’s decision as I believe it will be disastrous for Trent.
Consequently, I hope that the council will reconsider its decision. HHH HHHHHHH

Does the writer agree or disagree with the local council’s decision?
C° READ THE LETTER AND UNDERLINE THE WORDS/PHRASES THE WRITER HAS USED WHICH APPEAR IN THE
TABLE ABOVE. THEN, REPLACE THOSE WORDS/PHRASES WITH SUITABLE ALTERNATIVES, AS IN THE EXAMPLES.
e.g. I am writing about = I am writing with regard to. I strongly disagree with = I am opposed to.
D° USE THE PROMPTS BELOW TO WRITE FULL SENTENCES, AS IN THE EXAMPLES.
1. opinion/need/build/more schools. In my opinion, we need to build more schools.
2. I/strongly believe/driving tests/make/more difficult.
I strongly believe the driving tests should be made more difficult.
 3. I/oppose/construction/new motorway.
4. I/write/express/disapproval/plans/close/Majestic Cinema.
5. furthermore/council/provide/more sports centres.
6. I/feel/cars/ban/city centre.
7. I/think/more policemen/patrol/our/neighbourhood.
8. I/believe/new library/be/excellent idea.
9. I/hope/comments/take/consideration.
E° FIRST MATCH THE BEGINNINGS WITH THE ENDINGS AND THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.
BEGINNINGS:
1. I am writing in reply to a letter I read in your magazine. I strongly disagree with the views of the writer
about cyclists. Being a cyclist myself, I know how thoughtless car drivers are.
2. I am writing about the recycling plant to be built in our town. To my mind, it’s high time we did something
to help our environment.
ENDINGS
a. To sum up, I have to state that I am in total agreement with the council’s decision to build the recycling
plant.
b. In conclusion, it is my opinion that motorists should be more considerate. After all, they are not the only ones
on the roads.
1. What is the reason for writing the letter? 2. What is the writer’s opinion in each letter?
F° READ THE SUGGESTIONS BELOW AND MATCH THEM WITH THEIR RESULTS. THEN, MAKE SENTENCES USING
APPROPRIATE LINKING WORDS/PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS? AS IN THE EXAMPLE.
SUGGESTIONS
1. companies have flexible working schedule. 2. all shops open from 10 am to 9 pm during the week.
3. pedestrians always use zebra crossings. 4. all blocks of flats have security guards.
5. airport built 20 km away from the city centre. 6. the newspaper have a weekly supplement on cultural
happenings in town.
RESULTS
a. avoid the risk of being hit by motorists. b. tenants protected on a 24-hour basis.
c. employees be able to choose the hours that suit them. d. residents will not be affected by air
traffic.
e. people be better informed and have the opportunity to book tickets in advance.
f. working people will not be restricted as to when to do their shopping.
e.g. 1=c. In my opinion, companies should have flexible working schedule. This would mean that employees would
be able to choose the hours that suit them.
G° READ THE RUBRIC AND UNDERLINE THE KEY WORDS. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.
You saw the news report below in Monday’s “the Rosemary Telegraph” and have decided to write a letter
to the editor making suggestions on how to make the park more appealing.
The Rosemary Telegraph
Late last night the local council finally decided in favour of making Rosemary Park more appealing to the
residents. After a month of discussions, the council agreed to spend more than § 100,000 on improving it. The
council plans to complete the work on the park next June
1. Who is going to read the letter? What is the reason for writing the letter?
H° MATCH THE FACILITIES IN COLUMN A WITH THEIR FUNCTIONS IN THE COLUMN B. THEN ASWER THE
QUESTIONS AS IN THE EXAMPLE.
COLUMN A COLUMN B 1=d
1. a snack bar a. bring your own food and have a picnic. A: Do you think the park should
2. drinking fountains b. wash your hands, change babies’ nappies, etc. have a snack bar?
3. Swings, sandboxes, etc. c. have a drink whenever you are thirsty. B: Yes, I do. Then we would be
4. picnic tables d. enjoy a cool drink and have something to eat. able to enjoy a cool drink and have
5. public lavatories e. not drop rubbish on the ground. something to eat.
6. litter bins f. children can play safely
1 2 3 4 5 6
I° READ THE RUBRIC IN EX. F AND THE NEWS REPORT AND WRITE YOUR LETTER (120-180) WORDS. USE YOUR
ANSWERS FROM ABOVE TO HELP YOU. USE THE LETTER IN EX. B AS A MODEL.