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Write A Letter To Report A Problem: Writing
Write A Letter To Report A Problem: Writing
to report a
problem
WRITING
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Sometimes it’s best to write a letter to
report a problem.
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Preview and warm-up
■ When writing a letter to report a problem, it’s important that the text is clear
and easy to understand.
■ You should give full details of what happened, explain why this is a problem,
and then try to find out what can be done to resolve the problem.
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Reporting the problem
■ It’s good to begin the letter by clearly explaining the details of the problem.
■ Remember, it’s difficult to fix the problem if the person you are writing to
doesn’t know what the problem is!
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Reporting the problem
■ When you write a letter to report a problem you will need to give all the
information about the timing of the problem.
■ Remember to use the past simple tense for events that are finished and use the
present perfect tense for events that have a connection to the present moment
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Staying polite when reporting the problem
■ Remember, even if you are very angry, it’s always important to keep your letter
formal and polite.
■ There are lots of ways to ■ I am very disappointed and hope to hear from
report a problem that are you as soon as possible.
both direct and polite.
■ I am sure you are aware that this is a big
problem. I look forward to hearing your
answer very soon.
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Closing the letter
■ You can close a letter to report a problem in a similar way to other formal letters
in English.
■ However, remember to include your contact details so that the person you are
writing to can contact you to resolve the problem!
Yours sincerely,
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Vocabulary review slide
mistake
report
something
wrong broken
damaged
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Sentences slide
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Sentences slide
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Problems at work
Look at the picture below. Make a list of all the different kinds of
problems you might have to report at work.
Have you ever had to report a problem at work?
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Complete the sentences
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Explaining a problem
Think about one example problem you might have for the subject in
each photo. Practise writing sentences to explain each problem that
you think of.
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Vocabulary review
resolve
I’m afraid
there is order
get back in
product
touch
response
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Sentences slide
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Vocabulary review
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Problems at home and work
internet telephone
car computer
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Practise using the new vocabulary
Can you make one sentence with each of the new items of vocabulary
on the cards below?
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Brainstorm
Quick! Brainstorm what you have learnt so far about how to write a
letter to report a problem. What new vocabulary and phrases can you
remember? What tips have you learnt?
reporting a
problem
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Complaint letter
– □ ×
I am very angry!
Dear Landlord,
I am writing to you because I am very angry. We have asked you, several times, to clean away the
rubbish at the front of our building. It has been there for 2 weeks! It is really smelly and everyone
is fed up with it!
I have called and emailed you. If you don’t move it soon, we are going to call the police. We are
worried we might get rats in the building! This is all your fault!
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Letter to report a problem: short example
Dear Ms Bright,
Letter to report a problem
We need these lightbulbs as soon as possible for our office. Please can you
contact me as soon as possible? I would like the problem resolved this week.
My phone number is 12345678.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Angry
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Fill in the gaps to report a problem
Dear Ms Bright,
Yours sincerely,
Mr Angry
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E-Mail writing activity
Now it’s your turn! Write your own letter to report a problem,
try to write at least 200 words. You can choose the problem that
you want to report.
– □ ×
To:
Subject:
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Long letter example to compare
Yours sincerely,
Nikki Cold
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Reflect on the goals
yes no
_______________________________ _______________________________
_______________________________ _______________________________
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Reflect on this lesson
+ _______________________________
_______________________________
+ _______________________________
_______________________________
– _______________________________
_______________________________
– _______________________________
_______________________________
If you have time, go over
the most difficult slides again
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Activity p. 13
something wrong, fix, damaged, report, problem
Answer key
Homework
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Homework e-mail writing activity
– □ ×
To:
Subject:
Dear Mr X,
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Homework writing activity
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About this material
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