Formal Letters to the Editor– An Important Checklist for students of Grade 12, CBSE

 

Checklist (does your letter contain the following items?):

1. Sender’s address 
2. Date
3. Receiver’s designation and address
4. Subject (Topic/problem)
5. Salutation: Dear Sir/Madam
6. Body of the letter: It is usually written in 3 paragraphs
7. Complimentary close: Yours truly/sincerely
8. Sender’s signature & full name
9. Justified alignment/Block format

Sender’s Address:

Arun Kumar
77 Alaknanda Apartments
Adarsh Nagar
New Delhi
Pin code: 1100054

                                                                                      

                                                   

 Date:

1. The date appears directly below the address (after a one line gap).
2. Write out the full date as follows:
3. 16th of December, 2013

Or

1. December 16, 2013
2. Avoid writing: 16/12/2013

Receiver’s Official Designation and address:

                                                                                                                            
The Editor
The Times of India
6 Tolstoy Marg
New Delhi
Pin Code:110007
                                             

  The Subject: 

The Subject is written like a newspaper headline, it is not written in the form of a sentence. It is brief, crisp and it provides a brief glimpse into the issues raised in the letter. The first letter of the word Subject is in capitals and it is followed by a colon, whatever comes after the colon is underlined:

Subject: Power cuts in town

The Opening Sentence:

1. I am Amit Gupta, and through the columns of your newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the readers towards the problem of...
2. I am, Sunita Chauhan, and through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to bring to the notice of the readers...

The Salutation:

This is how you address the receiver of the letter. A more formal approach would be to address the reader as:

1. Respected Sir, / Respected Madam,
2. Sir, / Madam

A less formal address would be:

1. Dear Sir, / Dear Madam

In many cases, the word ‘Dear’ signals familiarity and might be used after a number of correspondences.

The body of the Letter suggested ideas for paragraphs:

• Para 1: who you are/what are you writing about
• Para 2: Details about the Topic/Problem/Issue
• Para 3: What would you like the reader to do (Your hope/appeal/warning/conclusion/comment/suggestions)
• In case there is a problem that is discussed and a solution that is asked, you can include your suggestions in the third paragraph and then add a short fourth paragraph for you appeal/ conclusion.

The Complimentary Close:

• It is a polite way of ending the letter and includes the following examples:

1. Yours truly
2. Your sincerely

Sender’s Signature followed by  the words (A Concerned Citizen) in brackets :

1. The sender initials or signs his/her name.
2. This is followed by his/her full name and Designation within brackets

A.K                                                                                                                                  
(A Concerned Citizen)

A Sample Letter of the Letter to the Editor

B-26

Jacaranda Marg

Gurgaon

122001

22nd of December, 2017

The Editor

Times of India

6 Tolstoy Marg

New Delhi

110007

Subject: Menace of stray animals

Dear Sir,

I am Komal Singh, a student of grade ten and a resident of Gurgaon and through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the readers towards the problem of stray animals on the roads. This is a serious issue as it has caused a lot of inconvenience to residents and commuters.

The presence of stray animals on the roads, markets, and public places has resulted, not only in traffic jams but also very poor sanitation. To make matters worse, the number of traffic accidents has risen. Just yesterday, a couple who were on a scooter met with an accident when a dog suddenly rushed into their path making the rider to swerve into a buffalo resting by the roadside.

I suggest that the civic authorities should impose a hefty fine on the owners of these so-called stray animals who let them free so that they can feed on leftover stuff. It is important for people to avoid throwing wrappers, half eaten food and unused vegetables on the roads and footpaths. I request you to print my letter in your newspaper so that the concerned authority wakes up to the problem and does something to solve it.

Thanking you

Yours truly

K.S.

(A Concerned Citizen)

Important Note: Remember that when you are writing a letter to the Editor, you are addressing the readers of that newspaper, not the public! Also, the Editor is not someone who will solve your problem, he will only print the letter in his newspaper. You can, however, address the authorities in a general sense towards the end of the letter (in the last line).

Practice Questions:

1. You are Sunita/Sumit, a student of grade twelve. Recently a friend of yours had tyre burst when the car being driven by his father ran into a pothole. You have noticed that the roads in your city have developed potholes which are very dangerous to drive on. Draft a letter to the Editor of an English Daily to draw the attention of the readers towards the dangerous roads of your city. Draft your letter in 125-150 words.

2. You recently visited the Sadar Bazaar in Gurgaon and noticed that people were not observing social distancing, nor were they wearing face masks. Draft a  letter to the Editor of an English Daily to draw the attention of the readers towards the need to observe safety measures to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus. You are Amita/Amit, a student of grade twelve. Write your letter in 125-150 words.

3. The number of road accidents has gone up in your city mainly because of underage and rash driving. Recently a car being driven at high speed lost control, jumped the median and hit person riding a motorcycle on the other lane. Draft a letter to the Editor of an English Daily drawing the attention of the readers towards the need to drive safely and not to allow minors to drive. You are Monica/Mohit, draft your letter in 125-150 words.

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