Component 2 Transactional Writing Letters

Question 1

Audience of a letter

Answer 1

Audience given in the question.
Think about what you need to consider when writing to this person.

Example: headteacher

Question 2

Purpose of a letter

Answer 2

What your is writing trying to achieve.
Example: Write a letter to the local newspaper expressing your views on free public transport.
Give information express an opinion persuade someone or make someone do something.

Question 3

Content of a letter

Answer 3

Main points you want to make.
Should be consistent and in a logical order.

Question 4

Register of a letter

Answer 4

What is the appropriate tone for your writing.
In a formal letter you would need to be polite but there is still room to consider whether you are aiming for a specific tone.
Example, are you aiming for forceful or reasonable; will your tone include gentle humour or more biting sarcasm?

Question 5

Format of a letter

Answer 5

Senders address on far right: 4 Townend Road
Rotherham
Yorkshire
S6O gAT

Recipients address on left directly underneath:
The Times
The News Building
1 London Bridge Street
London
SE1 9GF

Date on far right eg. 8th June 2017

Salutation with comma (Dear Editor, Sir, Madam, name of person)

Paragraph 1:
Example start: I am writing in support of your proposal to use Fartrade products in the school canteen.
Example end: It is clear that the school has a moral imperative to consider adopting these proposals.

Paragraph 2:
Example start: I understand that you are considering a change to the timings of the school day. I am wholly in support of this proposal.
Example end: I am convinced that a change to the school day will result in a happier and healthier learning environment.

Paragraph 3:
Example start: Your newspaper recently published an article describing plastic as ‘one of the biggest problems faced by our planet.!’ I wholly agree with this statement for a number of
reasons.
Example end: In conclusion, I would like to thank you for drawing attention to the crisis we are facing. It is only by increasing awareness of this issue that real change will occur.

End with “Yours sincerely.” if you know the person and “Yours faithfully.” if you don’t know the person.