LETTERS GIVING ADVICE

PARAGRAPH 1:BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR WRITING AND

OFFER ADVICE.

Dear sir/madam,
I read your letter: 1) to Samantha
2) in the advice column

A: I know just how you feel (because I was in the same/a similar position a
few years ago).
Or
B: It sounds as if you have/your friend has a serious problem.

So I thought that I would write and give you

o A few suggestions
o A few tips on how to…
o Some advice

PARAGRAPH 2: GIVE YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND ADVICE.

You should use links to put your ideas in order: first of all, what’s more, apart
from that, another idea is to…, also, last but not least.

Don’t forget to use links for alternative ideas: alternatively you can…, if you
can’t afford to…, if it isn’t possible for you to…, if you don’t fancy(+ing), if that
doesn’t work then…

You may prefer to what he/she said in the letter:

o You said/mentioned that…
o You were wondering how to…
o Tail questions: -You want to get a job, don’t you?

If you want to give your opinion say:

o If you ask me, I think that…
o In my view
o In my opinion
o It seems to me that…

a
Use these expressions for advice:
o You should
o I suggest that you should
o Have you thought about+ing
o Have you tried+ing
o If I were you, I would…
o If I were in your shoes, I would…
o How/what about…(+ing)?
o Why don’t you…?
o As a last resort, you can always…

You can also use imperatives to give suggestions:

o Don’t forget that your parents love you.
o Try looking at it from your parents’ point of view.
o Have a word with your teachers.

Try to justify your advice and make comments:

e.g. if I were you, I would talk to my teachers

because:
o In this way you can get extra help
o To tell you the truth, they care about you
o It’s a big decision, you know
o I bet they can help you

PARAGRAPH 3:BRIEFLY CLOSE THE LETTER WITH A FINAL PIECE OF

ADVICE AND/OR SOME WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

o Well, I hope my suggestion have helped you

o Well, I hope I’ve given you some food for thought
o Well, I hope you get your wish
o Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry
o Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day
o Remember, every cloud has a silver lining
o Good luck and keep your chin up

USEFUL VOCABULARY
o Have a word with sb Allow you to…
o Have a chat with sb Permit you to…
o Talk it over with sb Let you…
o Tell your friend/parents, etc. Ask your teacher for advice
o Let your friend know that… Consult your teacher
o Inform the police Find out about…
o Persuade your parents to… Make enquiries about…
o Convince your parents to… I sympathize with you
o Make your parents see/realize that… I’m on your side
o Show them that… It will do you good

b
o Get a friend to… It is for your own good
o Arrange for a friend to…