how to write a letter to the editor

How to Write Letters to the Editor
Contributor
By Christina Hamlett
eHow Contributing Writer
Article Rating: (0 Ratings)
No matter what your position or station in life, it's likely that you start your day with a morning newspaper. It's also likely that the coverage of certain topics may ignite your empathy, stir your anger or even move you to tears. If it does, you should take action. It should inspire you to dash off a letter to the editor. Others can be educated and enlightened by your words when you choose to do so. Here are ways to increase your chances of getting your comments into print.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Step
1
Assess your motivations for writing a letter. Because of the high volume of letters that newspapers receive, not every submission will be accepted and published. The decision to share reader feedback is predicated on the quality of the writing, the timeliness, the relevance to the source article (including the correction of content errors), and an ethical standard that prohibits profanity, slander, and commentary that could be construed as self-promotion. Make sure that your reasons for writing are clear, and keep those reasons in mind as you compose your letter.
Step
2
Study the submission guidelines carefully. These are located on the editorial page of the newspaper, and the guidelines will specify where the letter should be sent. A word limit may be listed as well. It's imperative you treat the editor with respect. Adhere to whatever rules have been set forth if you want to see your words in print.
Step
3
Reference the general topic or specific news article (plus date) in your email subject line. The editor will appreciate easy reference. Refrain from labeling your letter as "Expedite", "Urgent" or "Rush". (You'd be surprised how many people do this in the mistaken belief it will get them faster attention.)
Step
4
Declare your position or opinion in the first sentence of your letter. This is important as it lets the editor know a lot about your letter from the first sentence, and it can be a great hook to gain the interest of the editor.
Step
5
Support your opening statement with facts that are accurate to the best of your knowledge. A writer can often spend all of his words reiterating his emotions. It is a better approach to offer new information that could potentially educate, influence or inspire your fellow readers.
Step
6
Recap your opinion, observation or concern in your final sentence. This ties everything neatly together from start to finish.
Step
7
Share your letter with several friends before you hit the send button. Extra pairs of eyes will help catch mistakes that you may have missed. Double-check your word count, too!
Step
8
Include your complete contact information. This means that you should include your name, street address, phone number, and email so that an editor can follow up with you if necessary. It's the policy of many newspapers not to accept pseudonyms or publish letters as "Anonymous."

assignment 4

by MrAmerrudin on Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:30 am

by MsRamiza on Mon Feb 01, 2010 10:03 am
A Simple Thank-You, My Friend
by warmhrt

Into the dim lit, bare walls of my world,
You entered, bringing light and life to me,
The vivid colors, painted with a swirl
Of wit and charm, of personality,
With tender care, you added comfort, warmth,
And images that line the now bright walls.
I look upon them fondly, bringing forth
A thankfulness that you walk in these halls
With me; our friendship has become a part
Of my world now; it has its special place,
Within my being, life, and in my heart,
Your name hangs right beside your smiling face.
Rememb'ring just how drab these walls had been,
I have to thank you for the light, my friend.

Task

Based on the poem above, express your thoughts in 150-200 words. You may relate your understanding of this poem with your experience, or you may share your views on the theme “Friendship”

test 1 bbi2421

Dear students,

Pls be reminded that the format for test 1, section B may be changed incorporating the one below. Pls take a look at them and study them so you won't be taken by surprise. this was just given to me by Pn ramiza's assistant.


Exercise on Paragraph Development
Topic sentence: The cost of living in Malaysia is getting higher.

Now, expand the topic sentence into a longer sentence by asking the questions when, why, where, how, etc.

Then, write down three reasons/examples to support the topic sentence. Write in complete sentences.

1. First reason/example: ___________________________________________________
2. Second reason/example: ___________________________________________________
3. Third reason/example: ___________________________________________________

Next, expand each of the reasons/examples into several sentences, by asking and answering wh-questions.

1. First reason/example: ___________________________________________________
Expansion: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
2. Second reason/example: ___________________________________________________
Expansion: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
3. Third reason/example: ___________________________________________________
Expansion: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

Finally, write an appropriate concluding sentence.

Concluding sentence: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

Write all the expanded sentences you have written, from the topic sentence to the concluding sentence to make the first draft of your paragraph.

Dr. AmerrudinMrAmerrudin

Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2010 6:21 pm
Private message

Topic 3

Much to learn from India's progress

CHARGE your mobile here -- the sign reads. This is at the Indira Gandhi International Airport where passengers can charge their cellphones for free in the waiting lounge. A panel is fixed to a wall where cellphone chargers of various models are available. Regardless of the cellphone model you are using, you can charge it if you suddenly find your battery running low.

It's the same at the Hyderabad International Airport. It appears that this free phone service is a common feature in Indian airports. Connectivity is a given, it seems.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, made known his admiration for some of India's initiatives. There's much to learn and benefit from India's success.

Dash, a young Indian Malaysian who insists that Malaysians enhance their skills and become knowledge workers, said: "When it comes to information technology and the sciences, India has made significant strides and some of its companies are benchmarked against the world's best."

An excerpt adapted from NST, 24 January 2010

Task
In a paragraph of 150-200 words, write your comment on India's initiative to ensure satisfaction of passengers. You may add your suggestion, if any, on how Kuala Lumpur International Airport can improve its service for the satisfaction of its passengers.

Writing assignments 1

Writing Assignment 1

Task
You will read an excerpt of a newspaper article. Then, write a paragraph in about 180 to 200 words. Give your paragraph a suitable title.

Portfolio content
Your writing Assignment 1 portfolio should include the following items:
1. Paragraph outline
2. Peer feedback form 1
3. Self-editing checklist 1
4. First draft
5. Second draft
6. Final draft

The Writing Process
I. Pre-writing
Ask yourself questions such as these and make a list of possible answers for each question.
a. What is the main issue discussed in the article?
b. What are your feelings after reading the extract?
c. What are the specific details in the discussion that catch your attention the most?
d. Which word/phrase in the article sticks in your mind?
e. Do you agree with this comment? (if relevant)
f. What other reasons do you have if you agree/disagree with this comment? (if relevant)

II. Prepare an outline
Organize the content for your paragraph into a rough outline.
Single-paragraph outline

ARTICLE 1
Angry mother sets herself on fire
By Adie Suri Zulkefli

NIBONG TEBAL: A mother of seven from Kampng Sungai Buaya, Bukit Pachor here suffered serious injuries after she allegedly poured petrol and torched herself yesterday. She allegedly did it in a fit of anger over the disobedient attitude of one of her daughters.

The 33-year-old woman, who suffered 54 per cent burns on her body and head, was rushed to the Sungai Bakap Hospital before being transferred to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star, Kedah. Her condition is said to be serious.

The drama unfolded when the woman, who quit working as a restaurant helper recently, went to her mother's home to look for her second child. The woman was said to be under great pressure as the child, a 15-year-old pupil of SMK Saujana Indah, had been skipping school since the new year term started on Monday. It is learnt that she had also threatened to kill herself out of depression over her child's attitude.

The woman's fourth child, an 11-year-old boy, said he saw his mother pouring petrol on herself and trying to set herself on fire using a candle. The woman then torched her body before running out from the house. A group of youths nearby, upon seeing the woman engulfed in flames, used their shirts to put out the fire.

Source: New Straits Times Online, 10 January 2010

Stress

Today i would like to touch on topic regarding stress which may be a current upraising issue not only in the country but involves people from every corner of the world.

The major causes of stress among young people have been identified as inadequate.
Counselling service in school provide a channel for the stress-affected students to vent their pent-up anger and frustration, which, if left unheeded and unhelped for too long , may make them turn to unhealthy activities and commit crimes or even suicide.But merely offering words of advice, though good in itself, is insufficeint to solve any problem that needs a physical form of releasing anguish and aggression.

In the conclusion, the authorities must rescue these students from harm's way, because they can provide the trained counsellors and facilities to help depressed children find some relief from stress.


Vocabulary

1.inadequate - not good enough in quality
2.vent - give unfairly expression
3.pent-up - shut up within narrow limit
4.unheeded - noticed but not(accepted,believed)
5.merely -simply
6.anguish - great pain
7.relief - feeling of comfort at the ending of anxiety