Practise the form and register of a letter that responds to a situation. Attempt each before revealing; all prompts are our own original material.
1Your town plans to close the only public library at weekends. Write the opening of a formal letter to the council leader arguing against the change.
Show plan, model opening & checklist
Plan: Open with your purpose and stance in the first line. Keep the register formal and address the reader directly.
Model opening: Dear Councillor, I am writing to urge you to reconsider the proposed weekend closure of Elmbridge Library, a decision that would affect the students and families who depend on it most.
Checklist:
- Correct salutation and formal register
- States the purpose in the opening
- Clear stance from the start
- Courteous and aware of its reader
2You attended a weekend course that was poorly organised. Write the opening two paragraphs of a letter of complaint to the course provider.
Show plan, model opening & checklist
Plan: State what you attended and the problem, then give specific, measured detail. Stay firm but polite.
Tried these practice tasks? A teacher can mark your child's attempt and explain the next step in a paid one-hour trial.
Model opening: Dear Sir or Madam, I attended your Weekend Coders course on 12 September and am writing to express my disappointment with the way it was run.
Checklist:
- Formal complaint register, not rude
- Specific detail, not vague grumbling
- Clear about what went wrong
- Moves towards a reasonable request
3A younger relative is nervous about starting secondary school. Write the opening of a warm, semi-formal letter offering advice.
Show plan, model opening & checklist
Plan: Match the register to the relationship: friendly but organised. Reassure first, then lead into advice.
Model opening: Dear Aisha, I remember exactly how you feel right now, and I promise the first week looks far bigger from the outside than it does once you are in it.
Checklist:
- Register suits a family reader
- Reassuring, encouraging tone
- Leads naturally towards advice
- Personal without losing structure
See the worked annotated model response for directed writing: letter, or the method in our directed writing: letter skills guide.