Letter to the Editor
Salutation
Dear Editor/Dear Sir/Madam, (X Dear editor)
Headline:_Re_____________________________
Introduction
Purpose of writing
To reply, to complain, to express your views so as to draw attention of the audience
Audience: General public
e.g. I am writing in response to an earlier letter or article “……………………………”
Body
Group of the points under the prompts from the instruction
Start with Topic sentence and the points link the points with cohesive devices, round off the
paragraph with a concluding sentence
Use cohesive devices like ‘Moreover, In addition, Furthermore’
X Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly
Conclusion
Summarizing your points, your request.
I look forward to hearing from your reply
Complimentary close
Yours faithfully,
x Yours sincerely,
x Yours truly,
Signature XXXXXX
Print Chris Wong
Job Title : The Principal /The Manager of ABC company
Language: Formal term of address Persuasive language
Subjective but not too emotional Formal language Direct appeal to the readers
Use “we” not “I”
Article
HEADLINE/TITLE
A catchy headline to grab the attention of reader. Short and Precise and suitable to the task
Introduction
Refer to task requirement. (Article for a school magazine, article for an organisation)
Should have attention getter and main topic (thesis statement)
Body
Start with topic sentence supported by relevant points.
Make sure that the topic sentence refers to the thesis.
Supported by relevant statistics, facts, proof.
Try to convey your ideas with persuasive language, so as to make the readers agree with writer’s
point of view.
Conclusion
Give a sense of finale- Cannot end in an abrupt way
Summarise/ reiterate your points/ reiterate the purpose of writing
I strongly believe/It is absolutely clear that (Global warming is an acute problem.)
Arouse readers’ emotion
For our future generation, we should stop using plastic bags.
Language
School magazine: semi formal, light hearted
News article: Formal, subjective to bring out the topic
Letter of Advice
Can be formal/ informal
Read the task requirements. (follow the instructions from the task)
Salutation
Dear Ms Wong, (Formal)
Dear Sally, (Informal)
Introduction
Purpose of writing like offering suggestions
Body
List out the problems and offer suggestions and solutions.
Give reasons.
Offer understanding
Conclusion
End with comforting words and encouragement. Giving professional advice.
Complimentary close
Yours sincerely ( if Dear Ms Wong)
Your friend (Dear Peter)
Signature (Chris- Friend)
Peter Lam (Formal)
Language
Modal verbs: Should, could, might, ought to, must, need to, have to
Understanding languages, show encouragement throughout the writing.
Proposal
Introduction
Subheading
Point One
Point Two
Point Three
Conclusion and recommendations
To sum up your suggestion.
Hope the suggestions would be useful for you.
XXXX NO SIGNATURE
Language
Formal
No contracted Form
Topic sentence with supporting details
Statistic / facts
Passive voice
Noun phrases
No I use we
Objective
Sensible and plausible suggestion
News Report
Headlines
Bylines
Lead: One or two sentences sum up the article
Usually past tense
Giving details by asking Wh questions - What, Where, Why, Who,How etc
Use adjective and adverbs make the audience visualize what happened in the event
Conclusion
Your feelings, your future plan
Your expectation etc
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Blog
A way to express your feelings
Informal language/ colloquial
Can use contracted form isn’t doesn’t can’t
Usually Past Tense
State the event with loads of adjective and lead by Wh questions for development
Words for emotions
Can use similes
She likes to wait like a hawk.
Debate speech
Greeting: Good afternoon honourable adjudicator, ladies and gentlemen
Introduction
Define the motion
Your stance: affirmative or opposition
Body
For/Against
For/Against
For Against
Conclusion
Therefore the motion must stand/fall
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One sided argumentative essay
Introduction
Show your stand: agree/ disagree
For/Against
For/Against
For Against
Conclusion
Reiterate your main points and your stance.
Two sided argumentative
Introduction
Introduce what is topic about both advantages/proposition or disadvantages/Against side
Don’t state your view points
Body
Body 1
For
Body 2
For
Body3
Against
Body 4
Against
Conclusion
Briefly sum up what you have talked about and to show your view point in the end
Survey Report
Title: Report on ___________
[Link]
-The survey was conducted in _______, interviewing ________ (no of respondents).
-State the purpose of survey: The purpose of the survey was to find out ___________.
2. Findings
Presenting findings
1. Describing fractions: one-third, two-thirds, less than a quarter, about half etc
2. Describing percentage: 75% of respondents (No can’t start at the beginning of sentence)
3. Describing proportions: Like the majority, more than half, almost, minority, none
4. Describing the general trend: Drastic, rapid, significant, mild, gradual
decrease/rise/increase
2.1/2/3 subheading 1/2/3
Topic sentence, data results, concluding sentence
3. Conclusion and recommendations
Based on the findings of the survey….
The findings show that…..
According to the results of the survey,……..
It is therefore recommended that____________________
Language:
Passive verbs for reporting opinion objectively
Active verbs to give the writing a more engaging style
Modal verbs in passive voice to talk about possibilities or make recommendations
Reported speech to quote respondents.
Fact and statistics from the survey to support the points made