FORMAL LETTER (EXPRESSING OPINION)

FORMAT
GREETING Dear editor

INTRODUCTION (Tell them why you are writing, where you read the article, and state
your opinion briefly.)

FIRST PARAGRAPH (Tell them why you agree or disagree and support your arguments
using elaboration or examples)

SECOND PARAGRAPH (Refer to the opposing view and explain why you disagree.)

CONCLUSION (Restate your opinion and suggest a better solution)

CLOSING (Yours faithfully and your full name)

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
NTRODUCTION
I’m writing to you in connection with….
 I read your article in the local newspaper and I’m writing in order to express my
opinion

FIRST PARAGRAPH
 First of all, Moreover, Furthermore, What is more
 As a result, In other words, For example, As a consequence, Therefore

SECOND PARAGRAPH
 On the other hand, However, Nevertheless, In contrast, But

CONCLUSION
 To sum up, To conclude, In conclusion, Taking everything into account
Question: You have read in the local newspaper that the local council has decided to ban
cars from your town center, in an attempt to solve the traffic problem. Write a letter to
the editor of the newspaper to express your opinion.

GREETING
Dear editor

INTRODUCTION
(Tell them why you are writing, where you read the article, and state your opinion briefly.)
Tell them why you are writing and where you read the article.
I’m writing to you in connection with an article I read in the local newspaper about
the decision of the local council to ban cars from the town center, and I would like to
express my opinion on the issue.
 and state your opinion briefly.
It is my firm belief that for a number of reasons the local council should reconsider
their decision, as I think it will cause more problems than it is going to solve.

FIRST PARAGRAPH (Tell them why you agree or disagree and support your arguments
using elaboration or examples)
 first argument
First of all, it is an undeniable fact that there is a serious traffic problem in our town,
especially during the rush hours, but I believe that the problem is caused mainly by lack
of parking space.
 support with example
Car drivers have to drive around the town center for hours looking for a parking space. As
a result, traffic becomes very slow.
 second argument
Moreover, we should bear in mind that banning cars from the center, will transfer the
problem to the areas around the center.
 elaboration
In other words the council is attempting to solve a problem without serious planning and
without taking into account the consequences of their decision.

SECOND PARAGRAPH (Refer to the opposing view and explain why you disagree.)
 Refer to the opposing view
On the other hand, there are those who insist that the problem is so serious that
something should be done immediately. Shop owners, for example, claim that they will
have to close their shops down, if nothing is done.
 and explain why you disagree.
However, I still believe that the situation will become much better if they solve the
parking problem. As for the shop owners, I think they should leave their cars at home
and use public transport to come to the center, before having to close down their shops.

CONCLUSION (Restate your opinion and suggest a better solution)

 Restate your opinion
To sum up, no one can deny that there is a serious traffic problem in our town, but I
think that banning cars is not an easy and effective solution.
 and suggest a better solution
Instead of that a car park near the center would help improve the situation a lot.

CLOSING
Yours faithfully
James Brown
 A Basic Essay Format

I. Introduction
II. Point One
III. Point Two
IV. Point Three
V. Conclusion

The Intro…

An Introduction should answer three questions

A. What am I talking about in this paper?
By answering this question you let the reader know what the subject of the paper is. For example, if your
paper were about a particular book, your answer to this question would give the title, author, and any
other necessary information.
B. How am I going to talk about it?
This is where you let the reader know how your paper is organized. Here you very briefly introduce your
main points or the evidence that will prove your point.
C.. What am I going to prove in this paper?
This is the dreaded THESIS STATEMENT. The thesis is usually the last sentence in the first paragraph
and it clearly states the argument or point you are making in your paper.

The Body…

it is where you discuss your three main points. A good starting place is to envision that each point is a
separate paragraph . In each paragraph you:
A. Introduce your point, Explain your point
· B. Give supporting evidence
· C. Explain how the point and evidence relate to your thesis

The Conclusion…

Basically, the conclusion restates the introduction.

POINT ONE+POINT TWO+POINT THREE=THESIS
OR
POINT ONE leads to POINT TWO which leads to POINT THREE therefore THESIS is true!
:
Introduction C. How point relates to thesis
A. Subject Point One
B. Main Points A. Intro and explanation of Conclusion
C. THESIS point A. Restate subject
B. Evidence B. Summarize Main Points
C. How point relates to thesis C. Restate THESIS
(B and C can be combined
Point Two into the proof)
A. Intro and explanation of
point
B. Evidence
C. How point relates to thesis

Point Three
A. Intro and explanation of
point
B. Evidence
Organization in a paper is important not only because it makes the paper easier to write, it also guide the
reader through the paper. A clearly organized paper will better hold the reader's interest and convince
them that your thesis is valid!

Listening Section
Scores 38 and above: You are likely to pass the listening section of an ECCE.
Scores 32–37: You have a chance of passing the listening section of an ECCE.
Scores 31 and below: You likely may not pass the listening section of an ECCE and may want
to spend more time improving your English before taking the ECCE.

GVR Section
Scores 65 and above: You are likely to pass the GVR section of an ECCE.
Scores 60–64: You have a chance of passing the GVR section of an ECCE.
Scores 59 and below: You likely may not pass the GVR section of an ECCE and may want to
spend more time improving your English before taking the ECCE.

Writing Section
Your writing should meet the criteria of at least a C to pass the ECCE writing section.
Speaking Section
Your speaking should meet the criteria of at least a C to pass the ECCE speaking section.