READING INTO WRITING
Letters to
the Editor.
Write a letter to the editor about your lifestyle.
What makes a change stick?
WATCH · TED-ED
Why is it so hard to break a bad habit?
THINK WHILE YOU WATCH
Did gaming help him relax?
READ · TEXTBOOK P. 20
Two letters, four questions.
Wang Lu and George Fielding attended a summer camp and wrote to Healthy Life.
As you read, underline a phrase that answers each question.
- 01
Problem
What was going wrong?
- 02
Decision
What did they decide to change?
- 03
Action
What did they actually do?
- 04
Result
What changed afterwards?
LETTER 01
From Wang Lu
LETTER 02
From George Fielding
COMPARE · TEXTBOOK P. 21
What changed?
| Focus | Wang Lu | George Fielding |
|---|
CHECK THE EVIDENCE
Considered or did?
Which activities did George think about? Which did he actually do?
NOTICE THE WRITING
How does the letter work?
A paragraph can do more than one job.
WANG LU · PARAGRAPH 2
A“A dentist once examined me and told me that too much sugar in my meals had damaged my teeth and health.”
B“I made up my mind to change two things in my life: to eat nothing with sugar and to exercise regularly.”
Reveal the paragraph’s two jobs
A explains the problem. B states what she decided to change.
A letter opens with Dear Editor, and closes with a sign-off and the writer’s name.
PRACTISE
Make it specific.
Which version gives the reader a clear action?
“I’ll use my phone less.”
Look for when and what.
WRITE · 5 MINUTES
Your turn, writer.
Plan a letter to Healthy Life about one habit you’d like to change.
Dear Editor,
ProblemI often …, so I …
DecisionI’ve decided to …
ActionOn …, I’ll …
Expected resultI hope this will help me …
Write two or three sentences.
Underline your action. Can a reader tell what you’ll do and when?
HOMEWORK Finish your letter and sign your name.