agony_aunt_letters activity for students

Agony Aunt Letters

1. Learning Objective –Use the features of writing a problem
page letter to write my own problem page letter

2. •I know this might sound like nothing…
but I’m really depressed because…
•I don’t get to meet many people my age…
•Because of this I feel very isolated and lonely…
•How can I make her see how much it would help
me?
What type of letter do you think you would
find these phrases in?
Discuss with the person next to you.

3. Dear Agony Annie,
I know this might sound like nothing compared to
a lot of readers’ problems but I’m really depressed
because I’m not allowed to have a dog. My family
lives in the countryside and I don’t get to meet
many people my age. Because of this I feel very
isolated and lonely. With a dog I’d be able to get
out and about more, but my mum doesn’t like
them. How can I make her see how much it would
help me?
(Leicester city fan)
No address –informal with
name
Description
of feelings
The problem
Question needing response
Finished informally

4. Imagine you are writing to Agony Annie. You can choose one of the
following problems to expand on and write about:
1.Your parents are making you move schools and you don’t really want to
2.You feel like your friends are leaving you out
3.Your friend is being bullied but won’t tell anyone
4.You are getting bad marks at school and don’t know how to tell your
parents
Or you can think up a different problem to write in about.
Begin by listing out and planning what you are going to write and
remember:
•Structure-Introduction –elaboration of problem –request for advice
•Informalityof the letter
•Try not to repeat the word ‘worry’ or ‘worried’ see if you can think of other
words instead
•Put yourself into a role–What/how would you be thinking and feeling?
-What would be preying on your mind?

5. Swap letters with your partner. You will be
marking it looking for…..
1. No address/informal = 1 point
2. Description of problem = 1 point
3. Description of feelings = 1 point
4. Question needing response = 1 point
5. Finished informally = 1 point
•So you should have a final mark out of 5!
•Make a note at the bottom of any features which
have been left out or which you think could be
improved.
•REMEMBER constructive criticism only

6. Decide which of these statements are trueand which are
false.
1.They are written in a formal style
2. They are written in an informal style
3. They signed off using the writer’s name
4. They are signed of anonymously
5. They use lots of description of feelings
6. There is always an address at the top
7. They should have a question at the end
8. They offer advice
9. They ask for advice

7. Dear Leicester City Fan,
You can’t make your mum suddenly like dogs, butyou could
make her more aware of your loneliness. Talk to her about
how you feel and what you’d like to be different. I know it
seems like a dog is the answer to your emptiness at the
moment, but in your heart of hearts you know what you
want is a different life. The sort of life you really want, with
mates and freedom, isn’t one that a dog will fit into. It’s
corny, I know, but a dog is for life. It’s a major commitment.
And who’s going to look after it when you’re ready to move
on, which you will be soon? Don’tget a dog, workon
getting a life. You have a whole lifetime ahead to have
dogs.
Connective: Different View
Sympathises
Informal/collo
quial style
Imperative verbs
Sums up at the end
Imperative verb –A word that expresses a direct command or request
Colloquial–Informal language. Often sounds similar to a casual conversation or
how you would speak with your friends.
The Reply…

8. Write a reply to the letter you have received using all the
features we have looked at.
Remember:
•Use connectivesto present different points of view
•Informal/colloquial (chatty) style
•Sympathisewith your reader
•Put in your point of view
•UseIMPERTIVE verbs
•Sum up your advice at the end