CBSE Class 10 English Letter to the Editor Writing Assignment Set 02

Question 1. Several neurologists have been advocating the view that working on computers is beneficial to youngsters as it improves motor skills and provides stimulus to the brain. Write a letter to the editor of 'Health Matters' on the need to introduce computer skills as a compulsory subject in secondary classes. You are Sharad/Suman of Bhagirath Public School, Palam Village, New Delhi.
Answer:
Bhagirath Public School
Palam Village
New Delhi
14 February 20XX
The Editor
Health Matters
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Request to make computers a compulsory subject in the secondary classes
Through the columns of your esteemed magazine, I wish to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to the need for making computers a compulsory subject in the secondary classes.
The computer has revolutionised the world. It has changed the way we communicate, do our daily business and carry out other activities. Neurologists also say that working on computers improves the motor skills of youngsters and stimulates the brain. Nowadays computer education has become an essential component of a child's education. Having computers as a compulsory subject in secondary education would brighten a child's future, as he/she would be prepared to match his/her expertise with the technical demands of the growing Indian economy.
You will appreciate the fact that today a person without basic knowledge of computers is half educated. To be prepared for a normal life, one needs to have the basic knowledge of a computer.
Thank you
Yours faithfully
Sharad

Writing Tips:
1. Use the cue in the question (neurologists' view) as a supporting argument.
2. Use the address given in the task as the sender's address.

Question 2. You are Namita/Naveen of A-406, Jeevan Vihar, New Delhi. Day before yesterday there was a marriage in your neighbourhood. The procession was very late and the orchestra kept on playing loudly even after midnight. It disturbed students, old people, patients and infants. Write a letter to the Editor, The Times of India, New Delhi about the problem.
Answer:
A-406, Jeevan Vihar
New Delhi
28 May 20XX
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Sir
Subject: Disturbance created by wedding celebration
I would like to draw the kind attention of the authorities concerned towards the above mentioned problem through the columns of your esteemed newspaper. On May 26, a wedding celebration created mayhem in our society. The wedding procession arrived late and hence the celebration went late into the night. The din created by the loudspeakers and the band party hired for the event disturbed the young and the old alike. The students preparing for their boards couldn't carry on their studies peacefully and the sleep of the elderly, the sick and the infants was ruined. The merry-making of one family has no right to destroy the peace of the other families.
I shall be highly grateful to you if my letter gets appropriate space in your newspaper.
Yours faithfully
Namita

Writing Tips:
1. Name the date and the source of noise, and who was affected.
2. You may suggest enforcing the time limit on loudspeakers as a remedy.

Question 3. You are Rakshit/Rachna Tiwari, resident of A-24, Mayur Vihar, Delhi. You read about participation of children in various reality shows on TV and are perturbed about the exploitation of these children. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily showing your concern about involving children in reality shows and TV serials mentioning how it impacts their education and progress. (100–120 words)
Answer:
A-24, Mayur Vihar,
Delhi.
November 12, 20XX.
The Editor,
The Hindustan Times,
Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
New Delhi.
Subject: Concern about the participation of children in reality shows
Sir,
Reality shows involving children as young as 4 years, have become a common feature on television today. These shows garner high TRPs and have been very popular amongst people of all ages.
Although reality shows have a few positive outcomes, the participation of children should be discouraged because the intense competition exhibited by the children requires constant practice for long hours which is not healthy for them. Besides this, most of the children put their academics on the back burner. Another compelling reason is that children are immature and emotionally vulnerable, so any negative remark from the judges could affect their confidence and self-esteem also. Fame and money can also act as a spoiler for these young children, who find them very difficult to handle and later go into depression when they are unable to maintain it. Even if they participate the children should be regularly counselled and made emotionally strong to handle all situations.
I hope my letter would find some space in your esteemed newspaper and convince the people to act accordingly.
Yours truly,
Rakshit/Rachna Tiwari
(A concerned citizen)

Writing Tips:
1. Open by naming the issue (children in reality shows) and why it worries you; the editor only publishes views, so address the readers.
2. Cover both effects asked for in the task: the loss to studies and the emotional harm, then end with a suggestion such as counselling.

Question 4. You are Abhinav/Abhilasha Roy staying at B-1, Sarita Vihar, Delhi. You find it disturbing that despite a ban on the use of polythene bags its use is rampant in city. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily expressing your concern about apathy of people towards environmental degradation. Also suggest ways to mobilise city dwellers for the cause of safe environment with the help of school children. (100–120 words)
Answer:
B-1, Sarita Vihar,
Delhi.
November 12, 20XX.
The Editor,
The Hindustan Times,
Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
New Delhi.
Subject: Environmental degradation due to general apathy of the people
Sir,
Our environment provides every necessity required by man. It provides us air, food as well as materials for making clothes and shelter. Man has, however, turned a blind eye towards the harm done to it by human activities such as, pollution, deforestation, mining, poaching, etc. I would like to draw the attention of all the readers towards the unethical way in which the polythene bags, bottles and wrappers are disposed.
Polythene bags which are used to dispose garbage are not thrown away carefully. The wrappers of chips, chocolates and plastic bottles are usually discarded in the nearby dump, which consequently reach the nearby drains and clog them. Alarming amounts of polythene have been found to be the cause of death of the cattle which graze around the garbage dumps. River Ganges, Yamuna and all the other rivers which are the lifelines of our country have been polluted by the plastics. They have all been turned into large drains used to dispose the dead and plastics. It is a well known fact that polythene bags and plastic bags take several thousand years to degrade. So mankind will not only be leaving carbon footprints but also plastic footprints for several years after they have left.
I hope that this letter would serve in sensitising the readers and work as an alarm towards taking drastic actions for protecting our environment. The government should focus on imposing a blanket ban on plastics throughout the country rather than partial ban.
Yours truly,
Abhinav/Abhilasha Roy
(A concerned citizen)

Writing Tips:
1. Link cause and effect clearly: careless disposal of plastic leads to clogged drains, dead cattle and polluted rivers.
2. When the task asks for suggestions (here, involving school children in awareness drives), give them a separate concluding paragraph.

Question 5. Write a letter in about 100-120 words to the editor of a newspaper about planting trees and making way for a better future.
Answer:
Flat No. 14,
M-Block, Janakpuri,
Delhi.
16th June, 20XX.
The Editor,
The Times of India,
Delhi.
Subject: Regarding the need to plant more trees
Sir,
This is to bring to everyone’s attention the need to plant more trees in every locality to work for a better and breathable atmosphere. Through the columns of this national daily, I would like to make people aware that we need more oxygen for existing in this environment which is otherwise getting polluted day by day.
The planting of trees is the best initiative through which we can make way for a better surrounding in which, all of us can take in more oxygen and fight away the pollution. There are so many vehicles plying on the roads, factories, industries, etc., which add to the already existing dark clouds of pollution.
Right from children to the elderly, everyone should understand the need to plant trees and do so whenever they get an opportunity. This is a noble endeavour as well as a very basic essential for the present and the future generations.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Akshita Sharma

Writing Tips:
1. Use the phrase 'through the columns of your newspaper' to show that the letter is meant for the readers.
2. End with a call to action for everyone (plant trees at every opportunity) rather than a demand on the editor.

Writing Tips:
1. Open with 'Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper' and state the issue at once.
2. Devote one paragraph to causes/effects and one to concrete suggestions.