unit 8: a letter giving advice

unit 8: a letter giving advice

by NORDIANA Moe

​Read the letter below, which a girl wrote to an advice column of a magazine. What advice would you give her?

​

​​Dear Agnes,

​I need some advice. I've got exams coming up and for the past few weeks I've been feeling overwhelmed. I'm worried I'm going to fail! I have so much homework and revision to do every night, as well as my hobbies, such as tennis and volleyball, that I feel like I'm not anything as well as I should. My cousin's at another school and during the exam period, she isn't given any homework. It's so unfair! Also, my mum says I should give up my hobbies until after the exams, but I don't want to do this.

​How can I find time for everything without feeling like I'm not doing my best?

​

​Troubled in Bogor

​Now read the advice given to the girl and compare it to the advice you would give her. Do you think Agnes' advice is helpful?

​

Dear Troubled,

​I understand how you feel; trying to find time for your hgomework and hobbies can make you feel anxious and exhausted. Here are some tips to help you deal with your problem.

​First of all, try to reassure your mother that you can cope. As you obviously don't want to fall out with her. I suggest meeting halfway. How about cutting down on the time spent on your sports without stopping them completely?

It is also likely that yopur friends feel the same as you, so I advise meeting after school so you can all help each other. You could go to a different friend's house each day, and study one subject each time. Being able to study with your friends will help you feel better and more supported!

I hope my advice will be of some help. Doing a lot at once can be challenging, but the positive thing is that the more you do it, the easier it becomes. In any case, university isn't far away, so this experience now will make life less stressful in the future.

Good luck!

​Now read this letter that Afan wrote to an advice column of a magazine and write back to him giving a him advice.

​

My problem is that since I got a part-time job, I've stopped working out at the gym. As a result, I've gained 10 kilos. Besides the fact that my clothes don't fit me any more, I feel very self-conscious. I've always been sensitive about my weight because I take after my dad and I tend to be on the heavy side. While surfing the Net, I found a great raw food diet, which includes lots of vegetables and fruit and promises results. But when I told my mum about it, she told me to forget it. She says I need three balanced meals a day and refuses to let me cut out meat and carbohydrates. I feel helpless and don't know who to turn to for advice. I'd really appreciate your help.

​

Afan from Ipoh

TIPS!

When writing a letter giving advice:

• address the person you are writing to in a friendly way and use informal language.

• make various suggestions to help solve the problem.

• start a new paragraph for every major point.

• use appropriatre expressions top give advice and make suggestions.

• use linking words / phrases to list the different points.​

Open Ended

Follow this plan below to write a letter giving advice.

GREETING

Use the person's first name or pseudonym.

OPENING PARAGRAPH

Refer to the problem and say why you are writing. Use phrases like:

-I was sorry to hear that you've got problems.

-I understand what you're going through.

-I hope the following advice will help you.

-I've given your problem a lot of thought and I've come up with a solution.

-Here are some tips to help you deal with your problem.

Now, try to write your greeting and your opening paragraph below.

Open Ended

Follow this plan below to write a letter giving advice.

MAIN PART (1-2 paragraphs)

Give your advice and make suggestions. Use phrases like:

-If I were in your shoes, I'd....

-Maybe you should / shouldn't ...

-I strongly advise you to....

-How / What about ...?

-One thing you can do is....

Now, try to write your main part below.

Open Ended

Follow this plan below to write a letter giving advice.

CLOSING PARAGRAPH

Make a final comment. Use phrases like:

-I hope everything goes well. Good luck!

-Let me know how everything turns out.

-I'm sure you'll work something out.

-There's no need to panic. You'll get over it.

-I hope I've been of some help to you.

SIGNING OFF

Use a signature ending and your first name below that.

Now, try to write your closing and signing off below.