Homework, 24th November, 2016

Hi, 

As always, this homework is due on Monday. 

Last night you watched a programme on the BBC about the role of women in society which you found offensive. You are going to write a letter complaining.

You can use the following address:

Head of Programming

The BBC

Media City

Salford

SA1 4TH

Below is an example of a similar kind of letter you can use to help you, and below that, a guideline sheet:

Maggie Simpson

122 Evergreen Terrace

Springfield

SP1 8YH

14^th December, 2020

The Editor

Top Gear Magazine

13 Sunrise Road

London

W4 8GH

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to express my disapproval about an article I read in your magazine last week. The article was about the poor quality of the roads in Mexico.

As someone with Mexican heritage myself, I have to say I found the article to be extremely offensive, as it was very negative about Mexicans. Instead of focussing on the roads, the main argument of the article seemed to be that Mexicans are bad drivers because they are stupid, and, while this might be true about some Mexicans, it is equally as true about some English drivers, and is certainly not true of all Mexicans. To suggest that it is, actually borders on racism, because you cannot make judgments about an entire race of people based on the behaviour of a few.

I think it would be a very good idea for your journalist to rewrite the article in a more positive light, focussing more on the poor quality of the roads and the fact that not a lot of money is spent on maintaining them which is, after all, what the article was supposed to be about.

I hope you will take my suggestion on board and, if you wish to contact me regarding this issue, please use the address above.

Yours faithfully,

Maggie Simpson

Generic letter of complaint structure

Your address, e.g.: Mr Quillfeldt 12 Bishop’s Avenue London SW6 6EG

The date in long form, for example: 15th September, 2015

Start Dear Sir/Madam if you don’t know their name or Dear Mr or Mrs, followed by their surname if you do.

In the first paragraph write one or two sentences explaining why you are writing. This paragraph doesn’t need to be very long. You can start: I am writing to you to express my disappointment about …

In the second paragraph, start by being positive, but then go on to explain what it is you are complaining about. For example: Overall, I thought the programme was very good, however …

In the third paragraph, explain what the consequences of the negative experience were. For example: As a result of this, I had to spend several days in hospital …

In the fourth paragraph, outline how you think the problem should be resolved. For example: I am sure you will agree that some form of compensation in is order …

Sign off Yours faithfully if you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, or Yours sincerely if you do.

Write your full name.