OPINION LETTER SAMPLE

Dear Editor:

It is a fact that teens are not sleeping well since they are in the habit of using electronic
devices at night. The use of Internet, cable TV, computer games, among others; is keeping
young lads awake. I am writing this letter to let you and everyone know of my opinion. I am
convinced that parents should do something to control their children's access to high-tech tools
at night. I'll try to briefly explain what led me to this conviction.

Sleeping is a basic human need. It is a proven fact that people who regularly sleep less
than eight hours a day are more exposed to having health problems. For example, our
cardiovascular system may collapse if we do not get our necessary dose of sleep. Besides, our
brain activity gets slower when sleep is reduced; all of this may bring consequences into our
learning habits. On top of that, our life spam is reduced if we push our body to work with little
pauses. Then, what can be done to counteract the negative effects of sleeplessness?

Kids are not mature enough to control themselves. Parents need to take action; they
must control the number of hours their children get hooked to technology. For instance, a
parent should set computers and televisions in places where they can monitor their kids
activity. They should never allow them to have a computer or a TV in their bedrooms. It could
also be a good idea to switch off internet access at a determined time, preventing this way that
kids stay up unnecessarily. Each parent should decide on the best ways to keep an eye on the
issue.

As you can see, controlling means loving. What we do as parents now will determine
how healthy our kids are as adults. Take action in the present to avoid regrets in the future.
They may resent it for a few weeks, but they will be thankful for a whole life.

Sincerely,

Sergio Rojas
 CONTRASTIVE LETTER SAMPLE

Dear Editor:

I am writing in response to the article entitled Happy Gadget teens might not be
sleeping enough, which states that the overuse of electronics is making teenagers cut down on
sleeping hours. We all know this is a true fact that cannot be hidden. Some parents have
suggested taking electronics away from our kids reach at bedtime. I believe that before taking
such a dire measure, we need to analyze both benefits and drawbacks of such action. Lets take
a look at both sides of this issue.

On one hand, not allowing our kids to have access to tech tools at night might help
them sleep better. If we wonder why our children keep awake at night, we will find out that all
the reasons are always somehow connected to an electronic gadget. Whether they log onto
their computers, watch TV or DVDs, chat on their smart phones, or listen to music on their I-
pods; technology always seems to be root of the issue. It makes sense then to believe that they
will sleep earlier if they do not have access to high-tech toys at night. This is what happens
when I take my kids to the country, where there are fewer modern devices. My kids sleep as
early as nine when they cannot access technology. When this happens, I can notice they are
more energetic all they long, and even have a healthier look. However, our good intentions
might be threatened by something stronger than goodwill: nature.

Our kids might react negatively before the prohibition to access their beloved electronic
belongings. The rebellious spirit typical from this age could lead to even worse habits. What
was intended to cause health benefits might cause a serious disturbance within family ties.
Teens might get extremely disobedient, talk back to parents more often, or even fall into
addiction to harmful substances if you they are not let use tech gadgets. If parents fail to make
their kids understand this measure is taken for their wellbeing, the resulting outcome might
destroy the fragile harmony built with so much sacrifice and dedication.

In balance, it seems to be that the decision of limiting teenaged kids access to

technology has to be carefully analyzed before being taken. There is not a position that will
work for all homes. It is up to parents to decide if this measure will bring more benefits than
drawbacks. Parents know their kids, so the decision they make will be the best for their
particular case.

Sincerely,

Luis Castillo
 NARRATIVE LETTER SAMPLE

This letter was sent to the advice column of the local newspaper:

THE CITY TIMES

ADVICE COLUMN

Dear Abby:

I am a 15-year old junior in high school; I feel a little worried about my father. As far as I can
remember, he has always liked smoking. He never does it at home or when I am around; but
when he gets back home at night; he is always always carrying a half-empty package of
cigarettes in his shirt pocket. When I was a child, I played with the empty packages, but now I
am concerned about his health. Last week, while I was using my dads computers, I found a
medical prescription signed four months ago, in which the doctor said it was vital for my dad
to give up smoking. After I read this, I remembered that he gets short of breath too fast when
walking upstairs or playing table tennis. I have not yet talked to him about it because I am a
little afraid of his reaction. Do you think I shall talk to him? If so, how should I do it? Any
suggestions will be welcome.

Frustrated with Father

Task 1: LETTER

Abby has invited reader to write letters to Frustrated with Father, the best one will be
published. Write a letter giving advice about the situation. Begin your letter: Dear Frustrated
with Father
Dear frustrated with Father:

I read in the paper that you are going through a hard moment with your father; he
simply refuses to leave his addiction to smoking even when the doctor has urged him to do it. I
was touched by your letter because my father had exactly the same attitude, and he paid the
highest prize for ignoring the doctors suggestions.

Dad started smoking when he was a university student. My mother told me that by
that time, he would only smoke one or two cigarettes a day. Little by little, his bodys need for
tobacco increased. By the end of his 30s, he was already consuming more than a package a
day. Although mom told him to quit his addiction many times, the only thing he did was to stop
doing it home. This hazardous habit did not seem to affect him in any way until the day of his
fortieth birthday.

The whole family had gotten together to celebrate this special day. Everything was fine.
Dad seemed to be in the best shape of his life. We were drinking and toasting when all of a
sudden, dad took his hands to his chest, and then heavily fell to the ground. My uncles acted
quickly, they loosened his clothes and massaged his chest. He was not breathing. Someone
called an ambulance; the paramedics arrived in no time. Despite all the efforts made by both
my uncles and the paramedics, dad passed away there, in the middle of the living room. The
post mortem exams revealed that a life of addiction to cigarettes had made his veins go so rigid
that they had lost the capacity of transporting blood efficiently. His habit had taken his life little
by little.

You can imagine the sorrow this sad event caused. It was a senseless death that could
have been perfectly avoided by cutting down on smoking. I dont want anyone else to go
through such painful time. Do as much as you can to convince your dad of quitting. If possible,
have him read this letter I am sending you, or he could even meet face to face with me to have
a talk. Dont wait until it is too late. This might be the last chance he has to give his health an
opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

Federico Ganoza

P.S. I am attaching my address and phone number. Feel free to contact me anytime.
 OPINION ESSAY SAMPLE

PROMPT: Currently, most schools spend more resources teaching sciences and
technology than teaching the arts. Do you agree? Write an essay stating and
supporting your opinion about this issue.

All the educational systems around the globe are based on a hierarchy of
subjects in which math, sciences, and technology are on the top; while the arts are on
the bottom rung of the ladder. Consequently, more resources are assigned to the first
group, whereas little or no support is given to the latter. I believe education is going in
the wrong direction by setting this order of priorities. The arts are as important as any
science; they enhance creativity and make people more sensitive to the environment
that surrounds them. We need to restructure schools curricula based on this premise.

The arts help people create new ways to transmit their feelings and ideas. Any
person practicing a type of art finds a channel to express himself; to transmit thoughts
in a unique and peculiar way. The arts by essence do not have right or wrong ways,
they promote innovation. The sense of originality promoted by the arts develops a
permanent spirit of creativity, extensive to any other field of knowledge, including
science. Thus, promoting the arts will not also make better artists but also better
professionals in all areas of expertise.

The arts humanize people; they take out the best of individuals inner world.
Currently, our society is witnessing a sharp increase of crime, violence, and immorality;
and the starting point of theses problem is lack of values. By practicing the arts, people
develop a sense of empathy over peers, sensitivity to the suffering of fellow humans.
Then, they are more likely to do something to help others, to become the engine of
social change in favor of the most depressed social segments. They get to love and
respect nature and the planet, thus helping raise environmental awareness. The arts
then make a better world for all of us.

In a nutshell, it makes no sense to devote more efforts to teach sciences than to

teach the arts. Both must be given the same respect and consideration in order to build
a more human society. Lets raise our kids into sensitivity and beauty as much as we
raise them into technology and sciences.

Simon Dubbois
 NARRATIVE ESSAY SAMPLE
PROMPT: A well known English proverb goes like this: Every cloud has a silver lining, which
means that adversity makes people wiser and stronger. Do you agree with this? Have you
ever lived a hard moment which eventually led to enlightening knowledge? Write an essay
stating your opinion and supporting it with one real experience.

Throughout my life, I have many times heard that hardship always ends up into something
good. I used to think this was just hocus-pocus, an euphemism meant to give those fighting the odds
some hope. However, it was not until my late twenties that I completely understood this idea encloses
one of the most universal truths. I learned the hard way, but I am glad I did.

My parents got married later than most of their generational peers. They tied the knot in 1976,
when dad was 47 and mom was 33. Consequently, my siblings and I were brought up by a mature
couple, mature in every aspect one may think of; the wisdom that only time can give was always at the
core of our education. For some reason, my dad developed bonds with me stronger than those with my
siblings; he was the best father a child could have. However, his late marrying also implied that the
family had to deal with a father in the dusk of his physical strength. My dad had developed diabetes and
congestive heart failure by the time I was a child. A few years later, he frequently needed to be taken to
an emergency room for one reason or another. It was hard for all of us. Due to our strong ties, he felt
better when I took care of him, so it was me mainly who was by his side when he came down with a
health problem. I was pleased to have this responsibility, but it also implied dealing with the anxiety and
desperation of seeing him suffering. I was always with him when he needed me, always except
onceand that once turned out to be last.

In April 2008, dad came down with a common cold. Although it was not a serious illness, we
took him to a hospital for a medical checkup. The doctor on duty said it was a minor problem.
Nevertheless, he suggested he stay hospitalized for monitoring; diabetes damages the organs of those
who suffer from this ailment, so it was necessary for him to stay. I was with him that day. Next day, my
siblings and I decided to take turns to look after him at the hospital. I was supposed to be with him in the
evening, but I had some duties to fulfill at work, so I asked my older brother to take my night shift, he
accepted. I spend a few minutes with dad in the afternoon, and then I told him I had to leave. He asked
me to stay for a little longer but I said I couldnt. I kissed him good bye and promised to be back next day
in the morning. I went home to work on my teaching staff and turned in at about two in the morning. At
about six, someone knocked on my door, it was my brother. Just by looking at his face, I knew he was
there to tell me what I would have never wanted to hear. Despite all the medical efforts, Federico Loyola,
the man who taught me to be a man, had passed away after a fatal cardiac arrest.

Even now three years later, I cannot find the words to describe what I felt at that moment, all I
had in my mind was that I could have been there, but I wasnt. I felt I had let him down by not being
there when he exhaled his last breath. It took me years to understand everything happened the way it
had to happen, that my older brother was the right person to be there due to his experience on legal and
medical procedures. After years, I learnt that with his death, dad had given me a final lesson; that
nothing is more important than being with those whom we love in times of trouble, that family always
comes first. I am a father now, and every time I look at my son, I wonder if he will ever love me as much
as I loved my dad. If I can be only half as good as my dad was, I will feel more than fulfilledI am doing
my bestonly time will tell.

Marco Loyola