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Alfred Yiu

Paper 1 Letter to the Editor

Context

Letter to the editor is discussion in another format.  It is the most popular question type, second only to narration in the HKCEE. The topic usually provides either an extract of an article written by a reader or a summary of his views on an issue. You are expected to state your opinion,  either for or against the views expressed by the reader.

Example

You have recently read an article in the Student  Post in which the writer argued that the government was wasting too much money on buying new computers for schools. He suggested that the money could be used to improve learning in many other ways. Write a letter to the editor giving your views on this issue.

(2000 Paper 1)

Format and tone

The tone should be formal or semi-formal. And the style is similar to that of an argumentative essay.

Approach

Introduction

In the introductory paragraph, state your purpose and provide background information. Preferably, you should give your stance, too.

In response to/With reference to an article saying that it is a waste of money to buy new computers for schools, I am writing to give my personal opinion on the matter/issue.

I totally/entirely agree/disagree with the writer.

Example

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to an article concerning the money spent on buying new computers for schools, which appeared in your newspaper a few days ago.

The writer  complained that the government was wasting too much money on buying new computers for schools. Instead, he suggested, the money could be used to improve learning in many other ways like buying more reference books. However, my view is quite different.

Body paragraphs

A good letter to the editor always provides sensible ideas that are well-supported with good reasons and organised in a systematic way. Before you write, you have to think about at least three main supporting ideas to be presented in separate paragraphs.

Main supporting idea 1: buying new computers brings many merits

Main supporting idea 2: access to the internet exposes students to the latest information

Main supporting idea 3: various ways to improve teaching and learning facilitated by computers

To make your arguments clear and strong, you should give good reasons supported with detailed examples. Also, give a  distinctive topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph so that the reader knows what you are driving at. Sample paragraph

Expensive as it seems, buying new computers for school brings a lot of merits (Topic Sentence). Making teaching far more efficient is surely one of these. In recent years, many students have found learning boring, and this is partly because students are just sitting there, scribbling without thinking notes teachers write on the blackboard. This sort of learning is surely not efficient. But with the help of computers, students can enjoy multimedia teaching, which is much more intriguing to them. They can learn through games, web sites, homepages etc where colourful illustrations and interface will arouse their interest in learning. Better still, homework can be done through special programmes, and students can attain some basic knowledge about how to use computers, which is essential for finding jobs or further studies.

Conclusion

End your article with some afterthoughts, such as 'Computers are a wonderful tool for learning and teaching. Though there are downsides of over-dependence on these machines, their value can be maximized by careful monitoring and supervision.'



Letter to the editor