Writing an Open Letter or a Petition
Michael Berman, UK
Michael Berman’s published work includes The Power of Metaphor for Crown House, The Nature of Shamanism and the Shamanic Story for Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Shamanic Journeys through the Caucasus and Shamanic Journeys, Shamanic Stories for O-Books, Journeys outside Time for Pendraig Publishing, and Tales of Power for Lear Books. A Bridge to the Other Side: Death in the Folk Tradition and Georgia through Earth, Fire, Air and Water are both due to be published by Moon Books in 2012. ELT publications include A Multiple Intelligences Road to an ELT Classroom, In a Faraway Land (a resource book for teachers on storytelling), On Business and for Pleasure (a self-study workbook), and English Language Teaching Matters, written with Mojca Belak and Wayne Rimmer.
For more information please visit www.Thestoryteller.org.uk,
E-mail: michaelberman@blueyonder.co.uk
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The letter
Teacher’s notes
Dear Editor
We the undersigned have detected a recent resurgence in open letters to newspapers and would like to explore this further.
How effective are they? What's the key to a good open letter? Why are so many springing up now?
Yours faithfully
Concerned readers
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Choose the best answer from each pair of alternatives. Be careful, though, because sometimes both answers may be correct!
The use of an open letter to newspapers, with dozens of signatories, has become a widely used tool to register disapproval, set 1 out / up one's position or simply let 2 off / out steam. In one sense, all letters that are published are open, but some are 3 consciously / conscientiously intended for a wider audience. Although addressed to an editor, it's doubtful the writer gives 4 a toss / two hoots what a man behind a desk in a newspaper office really thinks. Instead, the message is often intended to fall on the 5 desk / ears of a government minister.
The open letter is a tradition that 6 can be traced / dates back to the late 18th Century, when newspapers were 7 starting / taking off. There have been many powerful examples by individuals, such as Emile Zola's letter condemning the French government, the title of 8 that / which, J'Accuse, has become part of the English lexicon. Martin Luther King also penned the famous line "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" in a letter from his prison cell.
9 Whereas / While in the past some campaigning groups may have splashed out on an advert in a newspaper, they can now make their point free of 10 charge / cost in the letters page. Such letters need to be succinct though, and the writer needs to have a feel for what's going to make would-be signatories say, 'Yes, that's fine with me”. And this often has to be done quite quickly so the letter can make the biggest impression.
11 However / Moreover, it has to be 12 admitted / confessed that it is doubtful whether an open letter changes people's 13 brains / minds. If a letter is published on a Monday, it won't change policy by Tuesday. But it can 14 plant / sow the seed in 15 public / the public opinion, so people may think 'this isn't quite right' and it can 16 lead to / result in pressure on the government.
So 17 although / despite open letters won't change anything 18 by / on their own, they can be part of a movement. The ordinary person might look at such a letter and think 'I never thought this was right but now very clever people are saying it too'. So it's good for campaigners and it rallies your own side 19 instead of / rather than knock 20 down / out the other side, especially when 24 hours later you see the opposing view in another open letter in another newspaper - open letter “ping-pong”.
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Now, working in small groups, elect a scribe (someone to do the writing). Your task is to produce an open letter to your local newspaper complaining about the services available in the area where you live. You can choose to complain about the lack of facilities and amenities for young people, the elderly, or the disabled.
Alternatively, you might like to write a petition to the Director of the school or college where you are currently studying English to complain about your teacher and to insist on his or her immediate dismissal!
ANSWERS: 1 out 2 off 3 consciously 4 a toss / two hoots 5 ears 6 can be traced / dates 7 taking 8 which 9 Whereas / While 10 charge 11 However 12 admitted 13 minds 14 plant 15 public opinion 16 lead to / result in 17 although 18 on 19 rather than 20 down
Please check the Creative Methodology for the Classroom course at Pilgrims website.
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