Learning objective: Understand how to build content into paragraphs Learning objective: Understand how to build content into paragraphs. Learning outcome: Produce a formal letter with detailed content.

Possible wordings In the exam, you will never be told to write a formal letter. You will be told to write a letter and you will be expected to work out whether to write a formal or informal letter. Basically, if they tell you to write to any family member, your classmates, a friend, a cousin, a school magazine or anyone your age – always assume its informal. If you’re told to write to a company, a head teacher, a newspaper, the council or the government – always assume its formal.

Purpose: What are you being asked to write? Applying for a job/give your views on an issue of concern/to complain etc. You need to use appropriate tone. Purpose: What are you being asked to write? Your address on right hand side. Date underneath. Recipient’s address on left hand side. (If not given one – make it up!) Either Dear Mr/Mrs______ or Dear Sir/Madam. If you know the name end with Yours sincerely. If not end with Yours faithfully. Format: How should it look? Content Must be planned. Logical arguments and links between paragraphs are highly thought of. Brief opening – outlining reason for writing. Three or four central paragraphs. A final paragraph to round off.

M Jones Opening paragraph explains why you are writing. 22 Old Chester Road Bebington Wirral CH63 7LF 24th March 2017 The Editor The Wirral Globe Birkenhead CH13 6RU Dear Sir/Madam, Opening paragraph explains why you are writing. Main body of letter expresses the various points, a paragraph for each, that you want to write about. Final paragraph sums up your letter and may acknowledge what you are hoping to happen next. Yours faithfully, M Jones Mrs M Jones Why is this closing used instead of ‘Yours sincerely’?

Unit 2 – Writing Building a paragraph

Question from Summer 2013 The following is an extract from a letter from a pensioner to your local newspaper: Dear Editor, Isn’t it about time we considered raising the legal age for driving from 17? Statistics show that a large proportion of accidents involve drivers aged 17 or 18. The number of casualties is really shocking and, as a result of this, it costs huge sums of money to insure young drivers. Many other countries set the age at 18 and it could make sense to raise it to 20 or even 21. This may not be a popular suggestion with young people, but it will be for their own good in the long term. I didn’t drive until I was 25 and it didn’t do me any harm. You decide to write to the newspaper giving your views on this subject. [20] Examiner report Good use was made by many of the points raised in the extract provided in the question and they took them on one by one. They were developed convincingly with some assurance in argument.

STEP 1: DECIDE ON YOUR VIEWPOINT Choose a definite side of the argument.

Step 1 - Consider pensioner’s main arguments: High proportion of accidents caused by young drivers. Cost of insuring young drivers is high. Suggests raising age to 20 or 21. Step 2 – Decide what CONTENT you could include. Not all young drivers cause accidents. If young drivers are willing to pay high insurance it’s their choice. Raising age just moves problem to another age group. EACH OF THESE POINTS WILL BECOME YOUR THREE MAIN PARAGRAPHS. Your introductory paragraph will basically say why you are writing and your stance on the issue. You can also refer to your three main points in your introduction.

STEP 3: Sort your ideas in order of importance and consider the cohesion (links) of the ideas

STEP 4: for each paragraph plan to write 4-7 sentences

First (TOPIC) sentence: It is unfair to suggest that just because a “large proportion” of motoring accidents involve drivers in the 17- 18 years age bracket, that all young adults should be prevented from driving.

Second sentence (use a STATISTIC): In fact, a recent report from the British Motoring Association actually states that the number of accidents involving drivers in the 17- 18 age group has actually fallen by 30% in the last 12 months.

Third/fourth sentence (DEVELOP the STATS SENTENCE): Furthermore, this report indicates that the rate of accidents caused by people over the age of 65 is in fact just as high as the number of accidents caused by people under 25.

Fifth sentence: (PERSONAL ANECDOTE): I am 16 years old and I have been looking forward to gaining some freedom by learning to drive, since I was a young boy.

Sixth sentence (RHETORICAL QUESTION): Is it really fair to deny me and the countless other sensible, cautious young people this opportunity to learn to drive?

Seventh sentence (offer a SUGGESTION): Surely it would be more beneficial to encourage young people to gain some independence and learn to drive. If we are taught properly, then accidents are less likely to happen.

Completed paragraph using the topic sentence It is unfair to suggest that just because a “large proportion” of motoring accidents involve drivers in the 17-18 years age bracket, that all young adults should be prevented from driving. In fact, a recent report from the British Motoring Association actually states that the number of accidents involving drivers in the 17- 18 age group has actually fallen by 30% in the last 12 months. Furthermore, this report indicates that the rate of accidents caused by people over the age of 65 is, in fact, just as high as the number of accidents caused by people under 25. I am 16 years old and I have been looking forward to gaining some freedom by learning to drive, since I was a young boy. Is it really fair to deny me and the countless other sensible, cautious young people this opportunity to learn to drive? Surely it would be more beneficial to encourage young people to gain some independence and learn to drive. If we are taught properly, then accidents are less likely to happen.

So, you need to LEARN THIS STRUCTURE: TOPIC SENTENCE STATISTIC DEVELOP (STAT SENTENCE) ANECDOTE RHETORICAL QUESTION SUGGESTION

Learn this by learning a mnemonic: TOPIC SENTENCE To STATISTIC Succeed DEVELOP (STAT SENTENCE) Daily ANECDOTE Always RHETORICAL QUESTION Remember SUGGESTION Structure

Now you need to try this out yourself!

This is an extract from a letter that appeared in a national newspaper. The mobile phone is the most appalling invention of the last century. It has taken away our privacy and encouraged all kinds of anti-social behaviour. The technology may be impressive but the consequences have been worrying as they have destroyed real communication. Mobile phones have certainly changed our lives, but not for the better. Write a letter in reply giving your opinions on mobile phones. (20 marks)

M Jones Opening paragraph explains why you are writing. 22 Old Chester Road Bebington Wirral CH63 7LF 24th March 2017 The Editor The Wirral Globe Birkenhead CH13 6RU Dear Sir/Madam, Opening paragraph explains why you are writing. Main body of letter expresses the various points, a paragraph for each, that you want to write about. Final paragraph sums up your letter and may acknowledge what you are hoping to happen next. Yours faithfully, M Jones Mrs M Jones

Tony Smith 21 Church Road Birkenhead CH23 2LF 16th May 2014 The Editor Daily Mirror Newspaper Fleet Street London E1 2PY Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing in response to a letter published in your newspaper on 14th May 2014. In this letter, the writer, Mr. A. Jones, put forward the view that mobile phones are, “..the most appalling invention of the last century.” I strongly disagree with this suggestion! I feel that they are in fact….. Two or three topic paragraphs. Yours faithfully T Smith Mr. Tony Smith