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Letter Writing
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Introduction
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This week, we will write the most common of adult writing: the letter
of complaint.
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Hypothetical
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The following never happened, but pretend it did.
You have been notified of a recall on your 1999 Honda Accord
concerning an air bag issue. You make arrangements to return your
just cleaned car to a Birmingham dealership to get the airbag
fixed. They ask for two days to make the airbag modifications. You
take the car on Monday and ask a friend for a ride over to the
dealership Wednesday after school. When you pick up your car you
find that your CDs are scattered on the passenger side front seat
and have fingerprints all over them, McDonalds remnants are on
the seats, and the whole car smells like cigarettes. You decide to write
a letter of complaint.
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Requirements
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In order for your paper to be graded, it must show the following
traits:
typed
no more than one page
no major grammar errors
no major spelling errors
Correct letter format
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Optimal
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Your letter will be graded for;
clarity,
use of writing tricks,
structure (aboveboard argument).
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Tip & Tricks
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Introduction
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In the other essays, you have had a very open audience with very
nebulous expectation. Now you have a very focused audience with a
specific expectation.
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Tips
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Make sure you do these things when you write this letter.
Appropriate Tone
Tell the Story
Why I am writing
What do I want
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Appropriate Tone
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Tone is the trickiest part of these letters. You need to be serious
and forceful, without going over the top. It is probably best if you
take the attitude that You have a problem that I can help you
with.
Remember, you are not writing to the guy who gave you the problem,
you are writing to his boss. She has to take you seriously.
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Thanks to Bob
Barsanti for this idea.
For discussion, Post on the Forum!
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