10 клас Writing a Letter of Advice

Writing a letter of advice

Introduction

Paragraph 1

Make the purpose of your letter clear and show understanding.

Example:

Having read your problem ….

I was sorry to read about your problem .…

I was sorry to hear...

I understand how you feel and ….

I was in the same situation you are a few years ago ….

Main body:

Paragraph 2:

Give your advice to help the person solve the problem.

Example:

It would/ might be a good idea to ….

I strongly advise you to/ not to ….

First of all, it’s very important for you to/ not to …..

The best thing for you to do is …..

Paragraph 3:

Give another possible solution to the problem. Describe the positive changes that might take place after following your piece of advice.

Example:

I think you should also try to …..

This will help you to …..

Another possible solution/way out of the situation might be to ….

It could bring positive changes to ……

Conclusion:

Express hope or encouragement for a better change and sign off.

Example:

Summing up, ……

Finally, I’m sure if you follow these pieces of advice, you will see that things will get better soon ….

Good luck, .…

LANGUAGE FOR GIVING ADVICE

Opening Remarks:

Formal

• Thank you for your letter requesting

• I am writing in reply to your letter asking for advice about

• I hope the following advice will be of some help to you

Informal

• I just got your letter and I think I can help you

• I was sorry to hear about your problem. Here’s what I think you should do.

  Suggestions can be introduced with expressions such as:

  Formal

  • I strongly recommend that

  • I would suggest that

  • I believe the best course of action is

  • I would advise you to

  • You should

  • You ought to

  • If I were you I would

    Informal

    • Why don’t you

    • You should

    • You could ..

    • Perhaps you could...

    • You ought to

    • It would be a good idea to

    • What you should do is ...

    • How about...

    • I think you should ...

    • The best advice I can give you is..

  Closing Remarks:

  Formal

  • I trust you will accept this advice

  • I hope this will be of help

  • I would very much like to know if this was helpful

  Informal

  • Hope this has helped

  • Let me know what happens

SAMPLE 1 (informal letter to a friend)

Prompt

You recently received a letter from a friend asking for advice about whether to go to college or to try to get a job. You think they should get a job.

Write a letter to this friend. In your letter

• say they would not enjoy going to college

• explain why getting a job is a good idea for them

• suggest types of jobs that would be suitable for them

  Answer

  Dear David,

  Thanks for your recent letter. I’m glad to hear that you are doing well, and I think that it’s great that you have so many options for your future. You’re really lucky to have such a choice to make, but let me tell you why I think you should get a job rather than go to college.

  Nowadays, everyone seems to be going to college. Aside from that, I know that you really hated school and could never seem to sit still long enough to get much value from a class. I just don’t see you really getting much out of college and so maybe you’d function better in a regular job.

  You were great in all of our practical classes like woodwork, so why don’t you look into getting an apprenticeship as a carpenter or something like that? These people are making a lot of money nowadays and so it’s a useful skill to have. By the time everyone graduates from college and are fighting over the same jobs, you’ll be an experienced professional earning a great salary.

  Think about it and let me know. I’ll support you whatever you choose to do.

  Best,

  Sandy

SAMPLE 2

Dear Sally,

I was sorry to hear you are having legal problems. You should have asked for my advice sooner, but even if it is a bit late I'll tell you what I think of.

First of all you must consult an accountant right away. It's not so easy to convince the tax inspectors without having all the right documents. You should also go over your tax forms again and make it sure you didn't make a mistake.

If you want, I could come to Bristol and give you a hand with the whole paper work. Even if we sort it out together , you should still get the advice of a professional.

Give me a ring if you want a help, and don't worry - I'm sure it will work out.

Love,

Richard

SAMPLE 3

Dear Rachel,

I’m glad to hear that you want to improve your eating habits and get fit. I’ll try to advise you as best as I can.

First of all, if I were you, I would eat plenty of fish, fruit and vegetables. If you follow a balanced diet, you won’t put on weight. What is more, the best thing for you would be to try not to eat so much junk food, sweets and so on. If you do this, your body won’t store so much sugar and fat.

Another good idea is to join a gym and exercise regularly. This will mean that you'll soon get in shape and feel fitter. Finally, you shouldn't go everywhere by car or by bus. That way your body won't become lazy.

Well, I hope you find my advice helpful. Write back and let me know how you get on.

Love,

Lynn

You’ve got a letter from your English pen-friend in which he/she writes that his/her parents are worried about the lack of exercise in your friend’s life. Write a letter to your pen-friend in which tell him/her

• whether you do sport or not and why

• what sports are popular with your friends and where they do them

and

• give some pieces of advice on how to keep fit

Write a letter of at least 150 words. Do not write your own name, any dates, addresses or other personal information. Start your letter in an appropriate way. 

Hi Jane,

I apologise for not writing to you for a long time. As you know, at the moment I’m .......

To my mind, your parents don’t have to be worried. ......... Personally, I.......

I really enjoy........

As for my friends, most of them.......

One way or another, we all must keep fit to feel energetic. And I want to share some advice on how to be in good shape. Firstly, .........  Secondly, you should definitely.......

So, it’s up to you to decide, but keep in mind that there are endless possibilities around you.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Yours,

Tom