Unit 7: Student's book, page 51
Exercise 10
Writing
10 Write a paragraph answering this question. Give some tips and good reasons to persuade your classmates to take your advice. Write about 80 words.
The task:
Writing a paragraph for giving advice and reasons to persuade others to take your advice.
Step #1
Start with an opening question to introduce the subject of the writing.
Step #2
An explanation of the reason for writing this paragraph.
The reason for writing this paragraph is to……………………….
Step #3
Initial advice
- The best way to………….is to…………
- Another piece of advice is…………….
Step #4
Final message to the reader.
Remember some of these tips, in the end, you’ll be more…………….
Step #5
Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
A sample paragraph
‘I often find it difficult to fall asleep the night before an exam. Do you mind giving me some advice, please?’
Do you find it difficult to fall asleep the night before an exam? Many students can’t fall asleep to be ready for the next day's exam which is why I’m writing this paragraph. The best way to fall asleep is to stop drinking stimulus drinks such as coffee and cola as they activate your brain and prevent you from going to sleep. Another good advice is to do some physical exercise to reduce your activity to fall asleep. Reading a short story or some pages from your favourite book can also help you to fall asleep. Remember some of these tips, in the end, you will feel tired and sleep happily.
Unit 7: Student's book, page 53
Exercise 9
Writing
9 Look at the sample persuasive letter on page 78 of the Activity Book. Describe the structure, matching the guidelines with the content of the letter. Write a short paragraph to describe the problem and proposed solution, and then make a plan of the letter.
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Unit 7 sample persuasive letter |
The task:
- Describing the structure of persuasive letters
- The content and devices of persuasive letters.
- Writing a paragraph to describe the problem and proposed solution
How to write a persuasive letter
Stage one
Greeting: use an appropriate greeting depending on whether it is a formal or an informal letter.
Dear Mr.………………
Stage two:
Introduction :
State why you are writing.
I am writing in view of the recent news that instruction in all modern languages at our school will be cancelled as of next year.
Stage three:
Body :
In two or more paragraphs, build up your persuasive argument using appropriate linking words.
Stage four:
Request :
Ask for what you want. Show that you are flexible.
Stage five :
Sign–off :
Add a sentence of good wishes before you sign off, matching your greeting.
Stage six :
End the letter with yours sincerely, and your name
Stage seven:
Check spelling, grammar and punctuation.
The content and the devices used in persuasive letters:
Persuasive letters include:
- a statement of the letter's purpose (explicit purpose)
- specific language geared towards a specific reader.
- a brief and concise statement of the problem/ reason for writing at the beginning.
- a detailed description of the problem
- a proposed solution
- a polite manner and formal language
- a restatement of the problem at the end
- a plea such as I look forward to hearing from you regarding a solution to this issue.
- a formal sign-off
- Write a short paragraph to describe the problem and proposed solution, and then make a plan for the letter.
This letter is from a student to her school's authorities to persuade them not to remove Modern Languages from the curriculum. The writer of the letter thinks that the implications of this decision will have bad results for the school, such as losing many gifted students which will cause falling performances across the school. One more reason for not being with this decision is that it will affect students' global job opportunities as they will be disadvantaged by having no exposure to modern language teaching. The writer suggests teaching language as an after-school activity or in lunchtime clubs.
Unit 7: Student's book, page 55
Exercise 6
6 Write a persuasive letter to convince students at your school to study a subject of your choice at university.
Write between 100 and 120 words.
Writing an informal persuasive letter
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Writing skills: Writing informally |
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We always begin a letter with Dear [name], whether it is formal or informal. • In emails, we are less formal and tend to use Hello [name], or Hi! • In open letters, we use a group noun to address all the people that we want to include, such as Dear fellow students. • In all of the above, it is fine to use abbreviations such as I’m, and don’t. • We can end emails and letters (not open letters) with Best wishes/See you soon/Looking forward to hearing from you. • We end an open letter repeating what we want to say. |
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Writing strategies |
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Persuading In order to persuade someone to do something, you need to know your audience. • Be polite. This does not mean using formal language in every case; rather it means understanding who your audience is and addressing them appropriately. • Be direct about what you need from your audience. State the problem in the first sentence. •Suggest a solution or two. Agree to compromise and do not demand too much. |
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Writing skills: Using pronouns |
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We use pronouns as ways to link paragraphs or ideas. A pronoun refers to things, people, or ideas mentioned in earlier or later sentences. The following advice about preparing for exams was given by our teacher. He should know – as he has taken so many of them in his life! He said, ‘It is not a good idea to study late at night. This is because your brain is tired then, and it is unlikely to retain the information as well. The best time to study is early in the morning. That is when you feel most awake.’ |
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He = our teacher many of them = exams This = the reason why you shouldn’t study late at night it = the brain That = early in the morning |
Write a persuasive letter to convince students to study a subject of their choice at university.
Dear fellow students!
I’m writing about the subject that I think is the best choice to study at university, that is studying foreign languages.
There are a lot of subjects that are available for students to study at universities. However, graduates face the problem of unemployment. By learning a new language, you can improve your skills and your ability to deal with others and eventually get the desired job.
In addition to this, learning any subject at university would be better when learning a foreign language. This improves your chances of success in other subjects. Therefore, learning a foreign language is the best choice.
I hope you’ll take my letter into consideration when you decide on your future subject at university and think of studying a foreign language as a viable option.
Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Jihad
Activity book, page 38, exercises 12,13 and 14
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Writing |
12 You are going to write a formal letter to a university of your choice. You are applying for a course at university and you need to persuade the university that you are the best candidate. Discuss these points with a partner:
- what you want to study
- why do you want to study your chosen course
- how you are suitable (include grades)
- relevant interests
- how you are suitable for university life
13 Plan your letter. Make notes.
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1 Introduction: say who you are and what course you are applying for. |
I am Ahmad, I am applying for the computer training course |
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2 Talk about the subject and your interest in it. |
Computer is my favourite subject, learning important skills, latest applications |
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3 Talk about the activities that you do outside school, and say how they are relevant. |
I watch a lot of videos about coding and programming. |
14 Now write your letter. Remember to write clearly and show confidence. Write 150–200 words.
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To whom it may concern, I am writing to apply for the course of training in computer which was advertised in the newspaper last week. I am 18 years old and I have just finished secondary school in Amman.I would like to take the course because I am very interested in computers. I would also like to get more skills as I feel that information technology is extremely important. I am a hard-working and responsible person. I like working with others and respect teamwork. I think I would be a good trainer due to my computer experience. I have watched a lot of videos about programming and coding, so, I have good understanding of the subject. I look forward to hearing from you about the next stage of my application. Yours faithfully, Ahmed Al- Ahmad |