GCSE writing a letter - the layout and use of paragraphs

English Quiz - Writing a Letter (Questions)

When writing a letter, layout and paragraphs are important factors. A writer always addresses an audience, which, of course, means the reader. When someone writes a letter, this relationship between reader and writer becomes less abstract and much more immediate. A letter is often meant for a single person. At GCSE, you will be required to know how to write letters for several purposes, using different styles.

Test your knowledge of this form of writing by trying this English revision quiz.

Because these will dictate a letter's tone and style, you will need to have a clear idea of...

[ ]	your address
[ ]	your audience and purpose
[ ]	the type of paper you have chosen
[ ]	the name of the recipient (the person to whom you are writing)

What should the first paragraph in the body of a formal letter include?

[ ]	A rambling introduction of yourself
[ ]	A brief history of the topic
[ ]	Your purpose in writing
[ ]	A paragraph flattering the recipient of the letter

When writing to persuade or argue, you should acknowledge the point of view opposing your own. What is meant by this?

[ ]	You should mention the opposing point of view
[ ]	You should falsify the case for the opposing point of view
[ ]	You should strongly argue the case for the opposing point of view
[ ]	You should ignore any points of view with which you do not agree

Which of these persuasive techniques can be used in a formal letter to build an argument?

[ ]	Appeal to authority
[ ]	Use of jargon
[ ]	A selective use of statistics
[ ]	All of the above

You would NOT write a formal letter to which of the following people / organisations?

[ ]	Your local council, to complain of inadequate street lighting
[ ]	Your headteacher, to argue against a proposed change to the school timetable
[ ]	Your cousin, who is planning to visit you and has asked what you have planned for the visit
[ ]	The business or organisation which has offered you a work experience placement

What would you include at the top right-hand side of a formal letter?

[ ]	Your address
[ ]	The name of the recipient and 'Dear Sir / Madam'
[ ]	The date only
[ ]	The name and address of the recipient

When should you end the letter with 'Yours faithfully,'?

[ ]	In a formal letter which begins with the name of the recipient
[ ]	In a formal letter which begins 'Dear Sir / Madam'
[ ]	In an informal letter
[ ]	You should never end a letter with 'Yours faithfully,'

Which structure would best suit a letter written to argue a point of view?

[ ]	Expected response to letter, criticism of opponents, bribe
[ ]	Personal introduction, statement of purpose, expected response to letter
[ ]	Two paragraphs on opposing argument, one paragraph on your argument, personal introduction
[ ]	Statement of purpose, three or four paragraphs arguing case, expected response

Which of these would be a letter written to advise?

[ ]	A letter written to the headteacher to complain about extended school hours
[ ]	A letter to friend, who has asked for your best ideas and tips for exam revision
[ ]	A letter to a newspaper editor in response to an opinion piece published the previous day
[ ]	A letter to an exchange pupil, introducing yourself before the exchange

10.

Which of these personal qualities will NOT improve a letter written to persuade?

[ ]	Being polite
[ ]	Being convincing
[ ]	Being arrogant
[ ]	Being interesting

English Quiz - Writing a Letter (Answers)

Because these will dictate a letter's tone and style, you will need to have a clear idea of...

[ ]	your address
[x]	your audience and purpose
[ ]	the type of paper you have chosen
[ ]	the name of the recipient (the person to whom you are writing)

Of course, you should also know the name of the person you are addressing (and your own address) - but it is the sense of audience and purpose which dictate how you write your letter

What should the first paragraph in the body of a formal letter include?

[ ]	A rambling introduction of yourself
[ ]	A brief history of the topic
[x]	Your purpose in writing
[ ]	A paragraph flattering the recipient of the letter

You should clearly state why you are writing

When writing to persuade or argue, you should acknowledge the point of view opposing your own. What is meant by this?

[x]	You should mention the opposing point of view
[ ]	You should falsify the case for the opposing point of view
[ ]	You should strongly argue the case for the opposing point of view
[ ]	You should ignore any points of view with which you do not agree

You should mention the opposing point of view and some of its supporting arguments before countering them with points in your favour

Which of these persuasive techniques can be used in a formal letter to build an argument?

[ ]	Appeal to authority
[ ]	Use of jargon
[ ]	A selective use of statistics
[x]	All of the above

All of these techniques help to build an argument - your job as a critical reader is to see through these techniques when they are used by other writers!

You would NOT write a formal letter to which of the following people / organisations?

[ ]	Your local council, to complain of inadequate street lighting
[ ]	Your headteacher, to argue against a proposed change to the school timetable
[x]	Your cousin, who is planning to visit you and has asked what you have planned for the visit
[ ]	The business or organisation which has offered you a work experience placement

What would you include at the top right-hand side of a formal letter?

[x]	Your address
[ ]	The name of the recipient and 'Dear Sir / Madam'
[ ]	The date only
[ ]	The name and address of the recipient

When should you end the letter with 'Yours faithfully,'?

[ ]	In a formal letter which begins with the name of the recipient
[x]	In a formal letter which begins 'Dear Sir / Madam'
[ ]	In an informal letter
[ ]	You should never end a letter with 'Yours faithfully,'

If you have addressed a formal letter to a specific person, you sign off with 'Yours sincerely,'

Which structure would best suit a letter written to argue a point of view?

[ ]	Expected response to letter, criticism of opponents, bribe
[ ]	Personal introduction, statement of purpose, expected response to letter
[ ]	Two paragraphs on opposing argument, one paragraph on your argument, personal introduction
[x]	Statement of purpose, three or four paragraphs arguing case, expected response

Persuasive letters are most effective when they conclude with a clear statement of the response you expect from the recipient

Which of these would be a letter written to advise?

[ ]	A letter written to the headteacher to complain about extended school hours
[x]	A letter to friend, who has asked for your best ideas and tips for exam revision
[ ]	A letter to a newspaper editor in response to an opinion piece published the previous day
[ ]	A letter to an exchange pupil, introducing yourself before the exchange

Remember to sound friendly and authoritative, rather than patronising, in a letter of advice

10.

Which of these personal qualities will NOT improve a letter written to persuade?

[ ]	Being polite
[ ]	Being convincing
[x]	Being arrogant
[ ]	Being interesting

Arrogance is likely to predispose the recipient against your case - be authoritative, but modest