40
Are you for or against?
Textbook: p. 50
GoalFor and against arguments about advertising; the structure of a formal letter.
New words
for · tarafdoragainst · qarshiformal letter · rasmiy xatrequest · iltimos
Explanation
Advantages of advertising: it tells us about new products, helps us to choose and often pays for free programmes and newspapers. Disadvantages: it makes us buy things we do not need, it makes children want sweets and fast food, and it fills our streets. For arguments we say: “One argument for ads is that ...”, “On the other hand, ...”. Parts of a formal letter: address, date, greeting (Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Leader), reason for writing (We are writing to ...), arguments, request (Please do not ...), closing (Yours sincerely / Yours faithfully) and name. In a formal letter we avoid short forms (don’t, can’t) and keep a polite tone.
Worked examples
Dear Sir or Madam, We are writing to you about the plan for a large advertising screen at the bus stop near our school. We think it is a bad idea. First, bright moving pictures can distract drivers. Second, most of the adverts are for fizzy drinks. Please choose another place for the screen. Yours faithfully, Class 7B.
For: Ads tell us about new products. Against: Many ads make children eat too many sweets. In my opinion, ads for healthy food are useful.
Class activity
“For or against?”: choose a side and give two arguments each; write them in a table.
Practice
1
Starter phrase: ___ is that ads tell us about new products.
One argument for ads
2
Formal closing: Yours ___
sincerely / faithfully
3
Write in full: we don’t like
we do not like
4
Why do we need a polite tone in a formal letter?
It shows respect and makes the request more likely to be accepted.