C1 Advanced - Letter to the Editor - Teacher’s Notes

The Task
You have recently read a report in your local newspaper that the city council is planning to build a large shopping and
leisure centre in your neighbourhood. The writer argues that this will have a positive effect on the local environment and
community. You have mixed feelings about this idea and decide to write a letter to the editor giving your opinion.

Write your letter in 220-260 words

Example
Read the example text and answer the questions:
● What is the writer’s opinion?
○ The centre should be built.
○ The centre shouldn’t be built.
○ Consultation with residents is needed.
● What is the purpose of each paragraph?
1. Reason for writing + establish opinion and tone
2. Highlight pros
3. Pivot to cons
4. Additional cons
5. Summary and conclusion
6. Request action
7. Sign off

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the recent article regarding the proposed shopping and leisure centre in our neighbourhood.
While the development promises several benefits, I have some reservations about its potential impact.

On the positive side, the new centre could invigorate our local economy. It would create job opportunities and provide a
convenient shopping and leisure destination for residents. Furthermore, it may enhance the area’s appeal, attracting more
visitors and potential new residents.

However, I am concerned about the environmental consequences of such a large-scale project. Increased traffic and
noise pollution are inevitable, potentially disrupting the tranquillity of our neighbourhood. Moreover, I fear that the charm
and character of our community might be adversely affected by commercialisation.

Additionally, the construction process itself could cause significant disruption to the daily lives of residents. I would urge
the city council to ensure that any development is undertaken with minimal impact on the local community and
environment.

In summary, while I appreciate the potential advantages of the new centre, I believe it is crucial to balance economic
development with the preservation of our neighbourhood's unique character and environment.

I hope that these points will be carefully considered before any final decisions are made. It is vital that the council listens
to the voices of the residents who will be most affected by this development.

Yours faithfully,

Robert Robertson

The Plan
Read the letter again and complete the writer’s plan. Write in note form (good for economy)

Pros Cons Relevant/Impressive Vocab

 Good for local economy
More jobs
Shopping and free time activities
Make area more attractive
Noisy
Bad for community - too commercial
Disruption during construction
invigorate the economy
enhance the area’s appeal
be adversely affected by
cause significant disruption to
minimal impact on

Language Analysis
Look at the letter again and find: - see colour coding in main text for key.
● Formal linkers:
○ Contrast linkers: _________, _________,
○ Addition linkers: _________, _________, _________
● Underline/highlight 3 examples of the passive voice.
● 3 expressions to express worries/concerns:
○ ___________
○ ___________
○ ___________
● Language to describe positive impacts:
○ ____________
○ ____________
○ ____________
● Language to describe negative impacts:
○ ____________
○ ____________
○ ____________

New Task
Recently, you came across a report in your local newspaper that discussed the city council's plans to build a new
skatepark in your community. The article focused mainly on the potential benefits the installation would bring. You have
mixed feelings on the project. You decide to write a letter to the editor of the newspaper, expressing your views on the
matter.

Write your letter in 220-260 words.

The Plan
Brainstorm your ideas for the letter here:
(I’ve included some ideas)
Pros Cons Relevant/Impressive Vocab

Be beneficial for: To have a positive
effect on something or someone.
Enhance community cohesion: To
improve the sense of connectedness
and solidarity among community
members.
Promote physical health: To
encourage or contribute to
maintaining or improving physical
well-being.
Foster youth engagement: To
encourage young people to
participate actively and constructively
in an activity or community.
Boost local economy: To stimulate
economic growth or improvement in a
specific area.
Serve as a safe outlet: To act as a
secure and appropriate means for
Have a detrimental effect on: To
negatively impact or cause harm to
something or someone.
Pose a safety risk: To present a
potential danger or threat to safety.
Result in noise pollution: To cause
unwanted or harmful noise in the
environment.
Require significant maintenance:
To need a considerable amount of
work and care to keep in good
condition.
Potentially disrupt local
tranquillity: To possibly disturb or
interrupt the peacefulness or
calmness of an area.
Strain public resources: To put
pressure on or heavily use communal
facilities, finances, or services.
Skating and Skate Parks:
Half-pipe: A U-shaped ramp used for
performing tricks in skateboarding.
Grind rail: A metal bar on which
skaters slide along with their
skateboards.
Skate bowl: A bowl-shaped area for
performing skating tricks.
Public Planning/Construction:
Urban development: The growth
and expansion of cities.
Public consultation: The process of
seeking feedback and input from the
public on projects.
Infrastructure: The basic physical
structures and facilities needed for a
community.
Community development: Efforts to
 expressing or utilising something,
such as energy or talent.
Encourage social interaction: To
motivate or lead people to engage
with each other.
Provide recreational opportunities:
To offer chances or facilities for
leisure activities.
Cultivate new skills: To help develop
or improve abilities or talents.
Opening
Write the opening paragraph of your letter here:
Increase traffic congestion: To
cause more vehicles and crowding on
the roads.
Attract unwelcome behaviour: To
draw in actions or activities that are
not desired or are problematic.
improve the quality of life in a
community.
Public amenities: Facilities like
parks, libraries, and recreational
areas provided for public use.
Accessibility standards: Guidelines
to ensure that public spaces are
usable by people with disabilities.