A letter to the
Editor is generally written to express our opinions or feelings about a current
happening or event, to make people aware of some important things that concern
society, to bring to public knowledge and to the notice of the authorities concerned,
a problem that needs to be solved.
The letter could be organised in this way:
Your address
The Editor
Name of the magazine or newspaper
Address
Date
Sir / MadamSub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(The body of the
letter could consist of the following):
·
Introduction - your reason
for writing
·
Your views, feelings, or
opinions about the matter
·
Your suggestions,
recommendations etc. to solve the problem or the reasons for the incident
·
Action, you hope the
concerned authorities should now take
·
Conclusion
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
---------------
(Name)
|
Note |
|
Make
sure you do not ask the editor to do anything. He is only the conduit through
whom you address the authorities concerned. |
Example
You read a report in
the newspaper about the escape of a psychopath named Umesh Reddy, who escaped
by bribing a constable with rum, and chicken biriyani. You are greatly shocked.
You write a letter to the Editor of the newspaper expressing your shock, fear
and disgust, and suggest ways to overcome this problem.
135, 36th cross
4th Block
Jayanagar
The Editor
The Times of
Dear Sir
Sub: Corrupt police constables
A psychopath, named
Umesh Reddy, was allowed to escape from police custody. The police constable
unlocked his handcuffs in return for trivial temptations - rum and chicken
biriyani. This is shocking news, and it sent jitters through me . What kind of
security could we hope for, in a society where policemen can be so easily
bribed? Maybe, soon we will have criminals and law-breakers murdering, stealing
or causing traffic accidents and still roaming around scot-free.
What makes the lower rung of the police force succumb to bribes
and endanger the very trust that the common man places in them? A certain study
revealed that the constabulary lacks motivation. Is this because good
leadership is lacking at the police station level? The Police Inspector should
be strict, but at the same time, should also be sensitive to the sentiments of
the constable. A long 14-hour workday, mainly out in the streets, takes a toll
on his physical and mental health. Also, his pay package and facilities are
hardly attractive.
How then can we
ensure an efficient, motivated police force looking after the life and security
of the people? A legitimate recruitment policy is required in which selection
is on the basis of merit, physical fitness, right attitude, emotional stability
- and not on the amount of bribe paid . A salary structure that attracts
capable, dedicated people should be introduced. There needs to be good
leadership from the top that gives the police, support, respect and freedom to
take the initiative and make quick decisions when the situation calls for it.
Also, as an immediate step, the corrupt will have to be severely punished, so
as to be a deterrent to others.
I do hope the government will view this laxity and greed on the
part of some members of the police force as a serious problem and take
immediate actions to rectify the same. Let's look forward to having a friendly
neighbourhood policeman who we can look up to for help rather than distrust.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
---------------
(Mohan
Rao)
Guidelines
B-3 and B-4 type questions in the question paper demand long
essay-type answers. Both these questions need to be answered with care and
adequate preparation.
·
Read the 'Main Course Book' completely at least once so that you
can be familiar with a wide range of subjects.
·
Answer all the '
·
Read the given question carefully and decide the content of your
essay.
·
Decide on what your target is:
(a) letter
(b) essay for school
magazine
(c) report
(d) brochure
(e) speech
(f) article or
description
Then use the suitable format.
·
Write down points, which you can later expand into at least 3-4
sentences.
·
Group these together to form 3 paragraphs.
·
Underline important points/phrases in each paragraph.
·
Use the format.
·
Concentrate on the topic on hand.
·
Write brief and precise letters. The student is not expected to
use all the lines provided (in a formal letter).
·
If the content is incorrect, no marks are awarded for format.
·
Mention dates, amount and other specifications, relevant to the
content of the letter very clearly.
·
Underline key points.
In formal letters or official letters, you start with your name
and address. Next comes the name and address of the person you address to. It
is followed by a salutation - Dear Sir/Madam. Then comes the subject, which
must contain the key points and not irrelevant details.
In the first paragraph
itself, the subject must be discussed. The next two paragraphs can contain
analysis of the problem followed by suggestions to overcome the problem. You
complete the letter with a Thanking you and Yours faithfully.
The whole format of the letter should be in the left side of the
page. No commas in the From, To, salutation or signing off. Punctuation marks
to be observed in the content of the letter. No need to leave space to indicate
the beginning of a
You are marked for
content, fluency and accuracy. If your format is wrong up to 2 marks can be
deducted. In formal letters, the problem should be stated to other readers or
concerned authorities. Appropriate style is to be maintained.
Example
You have come across some advertisements regarding job
opportunities abroad for people from the field of information technology. You
are disturbed at this trend of professionals working abroad and decide to write
a letter to the Editor of a National daily expressing your views.
Suggested answer:
XYZ
Basavanagudi
Bangalore
28-1-2004
The Editor
Indian Times
Dear sir
Subject: Migration of IT
professionals
It is a matter of great shame and pity that so many of our professionals and intellectuals are making an exodus to other parts of the world in search of greener pastures. The reason for this brain drain are many. The high remunerations and the desire for better urban life is a distinct attraction. There is tremendous job satisfaction and intellectual freedom. Red tapism and politicking are relatively less in the West and this is conducive to professionals to work in a shackle-free environment. Political stability and better security are certainly reassuring factors. Yet questions need to be asked. Isn't it the duty of these professionals to give back something to the society, from which they have received so much.
Public funds are pumped
into IITs. The returns of these investments are reaped abroad. Is it fair? Why
are these professionals looking abroad when our economy offers so much. Heavy
pay-packets are not uncommon. These IT professionals can afford a life style,
which a few years ago was the privilege of a selected few. A good life-style
with the status of a first-class citizen. What more can one ask for? Apart from
this, they can also impart values to their children. Why then lead a life of
rootlessness abroad?
These questions go unanswered. Our country faces serious loss as these professionals get lured by the glitter and glamour of the western world. Unless this trend is arrested, the possibility of our nation turning into a developed one will only remain a distant dream.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
XYZ
Example
Recently you have read a newspaper report about how a tiger
attacked a girl during a circus show in
Suggested answer:
XYZ
7, M.G.Road
Bangalore
6-3-2004
To
The Editor
Times of
Dear sir
Subject: Cruelty against
animals
Through the esteemed columns of your newspaper I wish to share my views on the cruelty against animals. I was shocked to read a report in the newspaper about how a tiger attacked and killed a girl during the recent Circus Show. While my heart went out to the relatives of the dead girl I also thought about how helpless the creature felt.
We enjoy the circus shows
yet fail to notice the pitiable plight of the animals there. Most of them are
underfed and suffering from many diseases.
They are mercilessly beaten to perform in front of the spectators. The mighty roar of the jungle is a mere whimper amidst thundering applause from the spectators. The animals are kept in cages and in unhygienic conditions. Most of them are kept under heavy sedation. Just because these mute animals are unable to express their feelings, their condition is ignored. Living an imprisoned life, driven by hunger, they sometimes go out of control. The above case was a result of similar circumstances. The circus owner in order to escape the hands of the law has since been absconding.
It is a matter of utmost
shame that no action is taken to free these animals from an existence of
misery. Animals continue to pull overloaded carts and are mistreated. Domestic
animals are used by man for his own needs and then left to die after their use
is over.
I request the concerned authorities and the S.P.C.A. to take necessary action and release these animals from a life of suffering.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
XYZ
