Module 01 Assignment

The letter to the Editor of newspaper needs to be brief and precise. It must contain an idea that

appeals to general mass and not to the specific one; however, the letter published in Dawn

newspaper on April 30, 2019 by S. Ahmad from Canada under the title of “Still Waiting” does

not qualify these qualities.

In the very first paragraph, the writer starts the letter with “I am an overseas Pakistani”. It clearly

shows that the matter is discussed only from writer’s point of view. It equally suggests that the

same issue cannot be possibly faced by any other individual as the writer has time and again used

the pronoun “I”. The matter is not discussed in a reciprocate way but from only from writer’s

perspective. Therefore, it produces the prospect of exception. It indicates the fact that this issue

might not be able to appeal to a general reader.

As far as the background is concerned, the writer says “I completed the application with the help

from the National Database and Registration Authority in particular the biometrics”. This

background is not clear enough for a common reader who does not understand the subtleties of

such processes. Instead of using technical language, the issue could be highlighted more if the

writer had used a plain language because not everyone knows what do “National Database” and

“biometrics” mean.

On the very other hand, exuberant mentioning of dates such as “Nov 22, 2017, February 2018,

and March 6, 2018” make it more like a history and less like a letter to bring an issue in

spotlight.
The writer has not used even a single example to justify the argument which is always necessary

to have a support for your statements, but the writer lacks in providing the evidence in order to

make the issue legitimate.

In the like manner, the writer has used abbreviated forms such as “ID” and “MRP” which is

making it hard for readers to understand that what does these abbreviation stand for. For a writer

to make the readers understand, he/she must use such a language that is easily conceivable by all

people equally.

Also, the matter is exaggerated way too much. Instead of discussing the main issue and faults in

the system, the writer has kept on complaining about different departments who are involved in

the renewal of a passport. The matter is hyperbolized extraordinary which would perhaps put

readers in confusion. By enlarging the matter too far, the letter has adapted to some extend the

shape of a personal note rather than a general issue to be corrected.

The very tone of the writer seems very harsh. The lines such as, “I did not hear anything”, “I

never received the said email”, “then there was silence”, and “I was quite surprised” shows that

writer is very intolerant and hopeless toward those who are running the system.

In addition, the language used in the letter is also very unpleasant which is showing great fervor.

The writer says, “This is rubbish as no one wrote to me”. This line is indicating clear discourtesy

towards those in authority.

Besides this, the writer has mentioned name at the end of the letter but in an abbreviated form;

consequently, the writer has put his/her gender in ambiguity. It also refers to the obsession of the

writer with using abbreviations.

Regarding the usage of pronouns, the writer has completely forgotten its usage which would be

quite helpful in pointing out whether the writer is a male or a female.

Coming towards the conclusion of the letter as well as the essay, it is necessary to a certain limit

to give one’s own suggestion at the end of any piece of writing, but this letter lacks in this

quality. The writer has kept on complaining in the whole letter but has not given even a single

suggestion about how to fix the disorder.

This letter is showing all those features which are the characteristics of a weak argumentative

letter. From its unclear background to the use of noun and pronouns, this letter is falling into the

category of a crank letter.

Reference:

Ahmed, S. (2019). Still waiting: https://www.dawn.com/news/1479378/still-waiting, Retrieved

on 08-05-2019