Lots of people write letters to editors of newspapers, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

magazines and journals, both printed and electronic,

to:
• express their opinions on a problem, issue or event that
PARTS OF A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
has implications for the general public
1. HEADING: It includes the sender's address at the top left or right
• draw the attention of the general public and concerned hand corner of the letter depending on the layout you are
government officials/departments to the problem, choosing. Beside the houseioffice number, name of the building,
issue or event name of the street, and name of the village, town or city where it
is located, the sender's address may also include the sender's
• respond to an article or a news item - praise it, criticize
email address and phone number.
it or point out errors in it 2. DA TE: It appears just below the address, after leaving some
• give information on so~e suqject, issue or development space. Always write the full date:

• clarify something or to set the record straight on a

12thDecember2022 (British)(,/) Or 12December2022 (1
DecembC;r 12, 2022 (American) (,/)
public matter
Avoid using" 12/12/2022" (x)
Just remember the Editor you are writing to may not be in a 3. RECEIVING EDITOR'S ADDRESS (INSIDE ADDRESS): Address
your letter to the editor as shown below:
position to solve the matter for you, but he/she can certainly
The Editor
provideyou apublicplatform to expressyour views on an issue.
(Complete name ofthe newspaper)
(Complete address ofthe newspaper)
Keep the following tips in mind when writing a letter 4. SALUTATION: You can address a letter to the editor in the
to an Editor: following ways:
• Be sure you are familiar with the topic you want to write about. Dear Editor/Sir/Madam
Stay focused on it. This salutation is placed just below the receiver's address.
• Be polite and formal in your tone. 5. !:.[Link]: State the topic on which you are writing in simple.
• Start by introducing yourself and describing the purpose of writing. straightforward and concise manner. Underline and highlight it
For example: to comment on a recent news item, event or to make it stand out. The subject can be placed either below or
above the salutation. /_ ,
incident.
• Briefly describe the news item and date of its publication.
6. BODY: It forms the very soul of your letter to an editor. d
contains the message that you want to convey. You may like to ·
• Give your comments or feedback on it. divide the body into several paragraphs as required but usually
• If you are writing about a problem in your area, briefly give its three are more than sufficient. In the first one, briefly introduce
details and seek or suggest a solution. yourself and state the purpose of your writing; in the second
• Write in a simple, concise and straightforward style. Avoid give details of your topic and in the third draw a conclusion or
wordiness. make an appeal or sounfa warning or draw the attention of a
third party. Sometimes you may need a fourth paragraph to
• Provide evidence in support of your views - include necessary
summarize your ideas and/or to make a request for pubiishing
references, data, statistics or survey results. your letter in the paper/magazine.
• Relate a personal story or experience to make a larger point. 7. CLOSING: Sign off your letter in one of the following ways:
• Conclude with a hope or an appeal, or a warning or a suggestion, Sincerely I Yours sincerely
as required. Truly I Yours truly

• Stick to the word limit. Remember: The word 'yours' never takes an apostrophe.
Your'.r{x) Yours'(x)
• Proofread your letter and check it for accuracy of vocabulary,
8. SENDER'S NAME AND SIGNATURE: Write or type it just below
grammar and paragraphing before you send it.
the 'complimentary close' and include you r s1gna
. ture, name an d
designation.
 Layout of a Letter to the Editor

Bodhi Space for Learning

21 Anna Salai Marg - O Heading (Don't include your name here)
Chennai

7th April 2022 - 8 Date

The Editor
- Q Receiving Editor's Address
The Hindu (Inside Address)
Chennai

Sir - C) Salutation

F}- Subject :Growing Addiction to TV among School Children. - 0 Subject

Thank you for focussing public attention on the menace of too much TV viewing among
children. As a researcher in [Link] psychology, I would like to express my views on
the issue. I do hope you will publish them for the benefit of children and parents alike.

'
With satellite TV channels having invaded our living rooms in a big way, children of an
impressionable age are already addicted to the idiot box. Thus they not only expose
themselves to harmful radiations from the picture tube but also lose out on studies. What
is more frightening is that some programmes are so full ~f violence and vulgarity that 0 Body

they cannot be viewed with the family.

Total ban is not the solution, for TV helps in children's growth and [Link] shows
not appropriate for children should be blocked and watching TV during meals and study
times should be.a big No. Children throwing tantrums on not being allowed to watch TV
need to be counselled and talked to. Sometimes going on outings, .
picnics, visiting
.

museums and playing outdoors provide better alternatives.

/
Thank you.

Yours truly +-- f) Complimentary Close !Closing)

l<.~12.- .
KALAVATHI RAO +-- 0 Sender's Name, [Link] and Designation

(Director)
 Sample Letter to the Editor

1e~r~rism is no m~re alocal issue. It is aglobal concern now. Write aletter to the Editor of aleading national newspaper
\JOicmg your [Link] on the issue.
In your letter you should
• introduce yourself and state the purpose of your writing
• refer to some recent incidents of terrorism to prove that it has become a global concern
• list some of the causes of ~his problem
• suggest how the problem i:an be effectively solved

77 Alaknanda Apartments
Adarsh Nagar
It
New Delhi

11th January 2022

The Editor
Times of India
New Delhi

Sir

Subject: Terrorism Has Hit Globally.

Through the columns of your esteemed paper, Iwish to draw the attention of all to the ever
increasing menace of terrorism.
The world today is in the grip of terror more than ever before. No continent except
Antarctica can boast of being free from terrorist violence. Terrorism, whatever its brand
and ideology, leaves a trail of death and destruction [Link] long persisting problems
of Kashmir, Palestine, the communal terrorism in India, the WTC attack, Mumbai attacks,
Arab-Israel Conflict, threat of lndo-Pak nuclear war - there are more conflicts than the
common man can take [Link] destiny of an ordinary citizen today is suffering.
Governments, politicians, statesmen, religious fanatics, drug dons and mafias are the
generators and perpetrators of terror.
Today one thing is clear. Terrorism is not a local phenomenon. It is a global concern and
therefore, it needs a global action. ~II the countries irrespective of their blocs and
alignments, must join hands to eradicate the tyranny of terror· Until that go Iden day
dawns, the common man perhaps will continue to reel underterrorfor no fault of his.
Yours truly
Krish Kumar
 ----
l Sample Letter to the Editor
---- -----
Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper making an appeal to the general public to contribute to the Chief Minister's
Drought ReliefFund. .

In your latter you should

• . introduce yourself and state the purpose of you~·writing
• describe how the severe drought has affected the state recently
• make an appeal to the general public to contribute generously to the Chief Minister's Drought Relief Fund

405/7 Raghu Majra

Jharkhand
Cr 11 May2022

The Editor
The Hindustan Times
Kokar Industrial Area
Kokar (Ranchi)

Sir
Subject :Appeal for Contributions to the Chief Minister's Drought ReliefFund
My name is Sita Ram and I am a social werker working in a State Drought Relief Camp in
Ohan bad. I am writing this letter to describe the plight of the drought victims of Jharkhand.
The state is experiencing a?evere drought this [Link] extent of damage can be assessed by
touring the [Link] some places there have been no rains for the last two or three [Link] land
is parched and dry. People have no water to drink and no food to eat. Cattle are dying of hunger

b and thirst on their lips. Not even a blade of grass is seen at most places. People are fleeing from
their homes in search of food and water.
The authorities are doing their best. New wells are being dug up, food and grains are being
rushed and free medicines are being provided to the [Link] all this is not enough.
The problem cannot be tackled at the government level alone. Generous people should come
forward. Through this column, I make an earnest appeal to the general public to contribute
liberally to the Chief Minister's Drought ReliefFund.

Yours truly
Sita Ram
 I I~

Sample Letter to the Editor

tter to the Ed"t · lled inaugural functions which
• 1or of a newspaper expressing your disapproval of the so ca cause
1onal wast G" . so
e. ive instances of such waste from your observation•

1044 Katra Ganga Ram

Bhiwadi
Rajasthan
17th November 2022
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Sir
Subject :The Politics of Inaugural Functions and Wastage of Public Funds
th
Through the columns of your esteemed paper, I wish to draw the attention of public as well as e
government towards the national waste caused by inaugural functions.
Inaugural functions have become a common feature in our country. Private as well as government
agencies indulge in this [Link] dignitaries andV.I.P.'s,usually politicians and bureaucrats,are
called to perform the inaugural ceremony even in the case of a minor event like the Sports Meet of a
College. When a V.I.P. visits a place, whole ofthe government machinery is put into top [Link]
arrangements are [Link] police force is put on security duty.
I was an eye witness to the celebration of the Foundation Day of an Educational Institution.
Illuminations continued for three nights. Huge amount of money was spent on tea parties, lunches
and dinners to hundreds of [Link] guests were invited from far and [Link] chief guest was
a political big wig. Almost all the government officials of the district remained around him, thus
disrupting work in offices and causing harassment and inconvenience to general public. It is

l estimated that about eighty lakh rupees were spent and it was all done to satisfy the ego of the
management of the institution and the ChiefGuest,of course.
This is only one very minor example. Many more are reported day in and day out. Crores of rupees
are, thus, wasted. This money can be utilized for some development purpose. It is high time the
government and the public checked this national waste.

Yours truly
AConcerned Citizen
 Date DD DD ODDO

CLASS & SECTION ROLL NO.

CLASSROOM
ASSIGNMENT
re,
11:1 J ASSESSMENT

Writing (Letter to the Editor)

Union Minister of Surface Transport has said that people have to pay toll
if they want good roads making it clear that the toll system would stay
as the government does not have enough funds.

tifriend of yours has shown you the above news clipping and has expressed his desire to write a letter
to the Editor of an English newspaper in response to the news item. Help him prepare the first draft of
- -the letter by guiding him at every step. Some parts of the draft are already given.

, .............................................................................

···························································•·················· 1-- - - -- - - - Write your address here.

Begin with the house/flat number, street
····································································· ........ . number/name, locality, major or prominent
landmark, name of the town/city, its PIN/ZIP
code and the name of the state.
················ .. ······························"''''''''''''''''''''''"''"

26th May 2022

The Editor
The Hindustan Times
'"ewDelhi

f
Write a suitable description of the subject.
Subject: ...:... .. ............ .. .................. ... ............ .. .............. .. ... ... ................,.... Determine what you [Link] focus on and
what issue you want to raise or draw the
· recipient's attention to. Preferably, write
· · •· · · · ·•· · ·· •· ·· · ••••· •· •••· · · •· · · · · ••••· · · · •· •· · · · · · ••· · · · · ••· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·; · · · · only one short line as the subject.
'

........................, .. , ........................................................................................ .
.................................................................................................................., ..
·················................................................................................................... . PARAGRAPH 1
In the opening/first paragraph, introduce
yourself briefly, refer to the news item and
······.. ··· ... ........, ., .......................................................................................... .
, set up the context/purpose of writing the
letter.
····················....., .................. ........................................................................
,

.. ... .... ............. ...······•..., ................................................................................ .

 English (Core) 12

........... ·····. ····· ............ ... :.. .... ················· ························································

··········
···········································································································
···························•• ...................................................................................... ..

·····················································································································
PARAGRAPH2
In the second paragraph, acknowledge what
····················································································································· is right or appreciable and then go on to say
what needs to be done/changed/stopped.
····················································································································· e.g.
• fixed distance between any two toll plazas
on the same highway
····················································································································· • toll fee to be made affordable
• anomalies related to use of toll tags to be
··················································································.. ···············"················ removed
• ensure smooth movement of traffic
........ ............... ......... .......... .............................................................. ....... .
'
' ' ' '

·············································--·······•·\······························································
····························································································· .. ·············"·· .....
······································································.............................................. .

I hope ................................................... .. ....................................................

.................. •........................................ '. ............. ............................................ PARAGRAPH 3 .

Sign off with the hope that your letter will be
published in the Editor's Mail column of the
...................................................................................................................... newspaper.

Yours truly
d
······························································"··············
·······························································"············· f - - - - - - - - - - - Your name, signature and designation
························································"····················
I ············································································"