Tuesday, 18 January 2022 13:50

Letter to the Press Format Grade 12

More in this category: « LITERATURE OVERVIEW GRADE 12 NOTES - STUDY GUIDE
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Writing a letter to the press

A letter to the press (such as newspapers) is a formal letter with its own features and format rules.

Hint:
Letter to the press

  • The content of this type of letter usually deals with the writer's view or opinion about a subject currently being debated in a newspaper.  The purpose of it is for the writer to express his or her opinion about something, for publication in the newspaper.
  • The letter is addressed to the editor of the newspaper, but the main audience of the letter is the readers of that newspaper.
  • A letter to the press has its own format. Pay close attention to where you lay out information such as addresses and the subject line, and the type of greeting and salutation you use.

 eg: A learner’s example of a letter to the press using the four steps

Step 1: Choose the text type and topic
The learner chose to write this letter to the press in the exam:

Respond to a letter in your local newspaper. In this letter a reader argues that the death penalty should be re-introduced.
Take a position in which you either support or reject the reader’s views.

Step 2: Plan the text
Find the key words in the question to help you think of the contents of the letter. The key words in this question are death penalty and support or reject.
The learner has used a list to plan her letter.
plan letter to the press
draft letter to the press
final letter to press

Activity: Writing a letter to the press

Here are some letter to the press topics to help you to practise your writing skills:

  1. Write a letter to the press in which you support or disagree with raising the age at which a person can obtain a driver’s licence from 18 to 21.
  2. Write a letter to the press in which you take a stand on the issue of violence against women. Propose a way of dealing with people who abuse women.

2.4. Category A checklist

Features

Details of the feature

Yes

No

Don't know

Exam instructions

I understand the exam instruction for writing a letter

      

Letter topic

I understand the letter topic I have chosen.

      

Letter type

I understand the features of the letter type I have chosen: 

  • Formal letter
  • Informal letter
  • Letter to the press
      

Content, planning and format

Planning

I can show evidence of planning my letter.

      

Content

Each point in  my plan is relevant to the letter topic.
I will use these points in my letter.

      

Purpose/audience

I understand the purpose of the letter type I have chosen
I understand the audience for the letter type I have chosen

      

Letter structure

 The first paragraph of my letter introduces the topic. The paragraphs in the body of my letter relate to the topic. The last paragraph concludes the ideas in my letter.      

Sentences

I have not repeated sentences in my paragraphs.
I have used full sentences.

      

Paragraphs

My ideas link and are well-organised in paragraphs. 
Each paragraph contains a new idea. Ideas are not repeated.
The ideas in the paragraphs link to the letter topic.

      

Format

I have used the correct format for the type of letter I have chosen:

  • The address or addresses are in the correct place.
  • The date is in the correct place.
  • The kind of salutation is the correct one.
  • I have included a subject line, if appropriate.
  • I have signed and written my name, as appropriate.
  • I have left lines open between paragraphs.
      

Language, style and editing

        

Choice of words/diction

I have chosen my words carefully to make my letter interesting. My letter has the correct register (formal or informal) for the type of letter i have written.

      

Verb tenses

I have used tenses correctly (past, present or future).

      

Concord

My nouns and verbs are in agreement.

      

Spelling

My spelling is correct.

      

Punctuation

My sentences start with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.
I have used apostrophes correctly.

      
Last modified on Tuesday, 18 January 2022 13:53
Published in English First Additional Language (FAL) Paper 3 Grade 12 Study Guide and Notes
More in this category: « LITERATURE OVERVIEW GRADE 12 NOTES - STUDY GUIDE
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