There are several ways of expressing your opinion. One is to write a letter to a newspaper. You need to address your letter to the editor. The editor reads the letters and decides which ones to publish. You should feel strongly about a topic or an issue. Keep your letter short and to the point. In the Letters to the Editor page of a newspaper, sometimes there is an exchange of correspondence. People will respond to a letter sent in by someone else. Your letter can be about a Hong Kong issue or a general issue. Read the following exchange. Letters to the Editor Tuesday Sir I am writing to complain about people who smoke in public places in Hong Kong. The smoke gets in people's eyes. This can be very annoying. Also, when I get home after a walk in Central, my clothes smell of smoke. This costs me money as I have to clean my clothes more regularly. Smokers are inconsiderate. They don't care about those who do not smoke. I say smoking should be banned. It is a horrible habit. Yours truly, Mrs A. Point Central Wednesday Sir The letter you published yesterday from Mrs A. Point infuriated me. I was sitting having my breakfast and I nearly spilled it on the floor. I live in Hong Kong and I say people should be more tolerant. Mrs Point can choose to smoke if she wants to. I made that choice and I should be allowed to do as I please. I do not try and stop Mrs Point doing something she likes, why is she trying to stop me? By the way, I have to clean my clothes regularly. We all do! Yours truly, Mr Avago Wan Chai Thursday Sir I do not want to stop Mr Avago doing things he enjoys. I just wish he would stop actions that harm other people. Doesn't he know that cancer is a serious disease? It kills not only smokers, but also those who breathe in smoke from other people's cigarettes? It is not acceptable. Yours truly, Mrs A. Point Central Friday Sir I have been stopped from smoking at work. I have to stand outside if I want a cigarette. This is very inconvenient. Now the government is trying to stop people smoking in bars and restaurants. This is an attack on human rights! Also, many doctors are not sure that cigarettes definitely cause cancer. Mrs Point should check her facts before she writes letters. Mrs Point should stop complaining! Yours truly, Mr Avago Wan Chai Glossary correspondence (n) - exchange of letters or messages annoying (adj) - troubling or irritating inconsiderate (adj) - not thinking about others' feelings to ban (v) - to stop, to prohibit to infuriate (v) - to annoy, to make someone angry tolerant (adj) - lenient, broad-minded inconvenient (adj) - difficult, awkward Comprehension 1. What costs Mrs Point money? 2. Who nearly spilled their breakfast? 3. Does Mrs Point smoke? 4. On which day did Mr Avago write about choice? 5. Who is asked to check their facts? 6. Where does one writer say that the government is trying to stop smoking? Writing style When expressing a strong opinion, writers use strong language. In the examples below, spot the stronger phrase and underline it. 7. I ask for it / John demands it 8. They suggest something / I insist on it 9. Mary yearns for a present / Her sister hopes for one 10. I like curry / My dad loves it 11. Benny hates school / May detests it Crossword The letters in the above correspondence were written on different days of the week. Spot the phrases in the clues and work out the answer and write the day of the week in the crossword. List: Saturday, Tuesday, Friday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 1. 'This is an attack on human rights!' 2. 'The smoke gets in people's eyes.' 3. 'It is not acceptable.' 4. The day before the first letter was written. 5. 'We all do!' 6. The day after the last letter was written. Answers 1. cleaning her clothes 2. Mr Avago 3. No 4. Wednesday 5. Mrs Point 6. restaurants and bars 7. John demands it 8. I insist on it 9. Mary yearns for a present 10. My dad loves it 11. May detests it Crossword 1. Friday 2. Tuesday 3. Thursday 4. Monday 5. Wednesday 6. Saturday