1Question

Write a letter to a friend, explaining why you would like him or her to join you in a visit
to a place which you think is very special.

GENRE Letter (of invitation)

AUDIENCE A friend (a teenager like you)

PURPOSE Explain and describe (one of your favourite places)

STYLE Chatty but persuasive and detailed

2Question

Some people think it's wrong that primitive peoples and their communities are
disrupted by tourists and TV crews, and that they should be left in peace. Write an
article for a travel magazine which argues for or against this idea.

GAPS

GENRE Magazine article

AUDIENCE Adults (who make decisions about where to go on holiday)

PURPOSE Argue (for or against tourism to primitive places)

STYLE Formal and serious but personal and persuasive

A sample answer

Look at the following sample question and answer for ideas on how to write a
persuasive letter.

3.Question

Write a letter to the local newspaper complaining about an article critical of

teenagers. Argue that teenagers simply do not have enough facilities to keep them
busy.

After laying out the addresses and dates correctly, you might go on to write:

Dear Sir,

I'm writing to complain about an article in your newspaper criticising teenagers.

Teenagers are not that bad; they just don't have enough to do.
This is correct, but it is not very interesting. The writer would struggle to write for the
rest of the 45 minutes they have in the exam.

A better response would be to ask yourself why you would write a letter like this. The
answer is probably because you read the article in the newspaper and it made you
cross. The next step would be to ask yourself why it made you cross. The answer to
this may be that you are a parent with a teenage son who doesn't have much to do,
perhaps because the local playground was sold off. Suddenly you have a scenario
and your ideas will come thick and fast. The letter can therefore begin something like
this:

Dear Sir,

I was appalled to read the article in your newspaper last week criticising teenagers.
As a parent of one myself, I feel personally insulted by the arrogant tone and
ignorant attitude of your journalist.

My own son, for example, used to play in the local playground until two months ago
when it was closed and bulldozed. All this was done just so some adults (who you
might think are excellent role models) could get a nice view from their windows...

This letter now stands out. It ticks all the right boxes and, as a result, this piece of
work will get a high grade:

GENRE Letter

PURPOSE Argue a point and make someone do something about it

AUDIENCE Newspaper editor and readers of the newspaper (the best letters
Here are some topics:

1. do you think it is possible for celebrities to have private lives? Give reasons
and examples to support your view.

2. write a story about someone whose personality changed completely as a

result of an accident.

3. what are the most important thing about when choosing a career?

4. do you think that hardwork is all that is needed to succeed in life? If not, what
else might be needed?

5. what are the biggest benefits and drawbacks of travel away from home? Give
reasons and examples to support your view.

6. Should all school pupils give up some of their free time to help the local
community?Give reasons and examples to support your view.

7. ‘ Young people today have no interest in politics’. Do you agree?

8. What changes would you like to see take place in your country in the next five
years?

9. which two ideas, customs or beliefs from a foreign country would you like to
introduce into your country?

10. Is it worse to have too little money or too much?Give reasons and examples
to support your view.
11. [02/09 2:22 pm] Punitha Akka: Tell a Story About…
12. Your first day of school.

13. Your most exciting day of school

14. A field trip that your class took.

15. Your favorite summer vacation.

16. A trip that included something unexpected or surprising.

17. A time that you experienced something spooky.

18. A time that you experienced something truly frightening.

19. A time that you learned something new that changed you in some way.

20. The moment when you met someone who changed your life.

21. The day that you got your first pet.

22. A move from one place to another.

23. Something funny that happened to you.

24. Something funny that happened to one of your family members or friends.
25. Something embarrassing that happened to you.

26. Your favorite birthday party.

27. A birthday that was disappointing.

28. A big storm (rain, snow or even a tornado!).

29. A time that the power went out.

30. A summer day when the temperature got much higher than expected.

31. A time when you went to an amusement park.

32. A time when you got lost somewhere.

33. A memorable experience with a favorite family member.

34. A sad experience with someone about whom you care.

35. Your most exciting moment playing sports.

36. Your most exciting moment performing in a play, singing, playing music or
dancing.

37. An experience that left you feeling frustrated.

38. An experience that was hard but ended up being worth it.

39. A time that you experienced rejection.

40. A weird encounter with a stranger.

41. A random act of kindness.

42. A time that you took a stand for someone or for an issue that you care about.

43. A moment when you thought you might get hurt but didn’t.

44. Breaking a bone (or otherwise suffering an injury).

45. Your first time away from home for the night (or longer).

46. A time when you experienced a historic event.

47. Where you were when a major event happened. (Note: You don’t need to
have been at the site of the event; this prompt is about where you were when
you found out about the event and how you reacted.)

48. A time when you rebelled against your parents or teacher.

49. A dangerous experience.

50. A misunderstanding between yourself and someone else.

51. A difficult decision that you had to make.

52. The end of a friendship or relationship.

53. The beginning of a friendship or relationship.

54. A time when you judged someone first and then realized that you were wrong
about the person.

55. A time when someone judged you first and then realized that he or she was
wrong about you.

56. A moment when you felt that you were starting to grow up.

57. A time when you saw one or both of your parents in a different light.

58. A time when you looked up to your older sibling.

59. A time when your younger sibling looked up to you.

60. A time when you were grateful to be an only child.

61. An experience that you think has only ever happened to you!