Transactional Writing
THE FORMAL LETTER
EDITORIAL
BLOG
EULOGY
OPEN LETTER
E-MAIL
SPEECH
, THE FORMAL LETTER
Formal letters are used for many different purposes including job applications,
complaints, letters from businesses, banks etc, letters to the press, letters of
resignation and letters of apology (adjustment). Basically all formal communication
sent via the postal system should be in the form of a business/formal letter.
The register needed for this type of communication has to be formal in nature -
avoid slang, contractions and any personal or rude remarks.
PO Box 75289
Irene
3075
14 February 2020
The Manager
Standard Bank
5 Embankment Avenue
Centurion
0157
Dear Sir / Madam
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Complaint about service.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Paragraph 1
xxxxx
Paragraph 2
xxxxx
Paragraph 3
xxxxx
Yours sincerely
J.M. Peterson
, THE EDITORIAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING
An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper's/magazine's opinion on an
issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of
the newspaper made up of editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned.
Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and
try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to
influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to
take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.
EDITORIALS HAVE:
1. Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories
2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues
3. A timely news angle (which means it is presently in the news)
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same
issues the writer addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good
editorials engage issues, not personalities and refrain from name-calling
or other petty tactics of persuasion
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can
gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should take a pro-active
approach to making the situation better by using constructive criticism
and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer's
opinion.
FOUR TYPES OF EDITORIALS WILL:
1. EXPLAIN OR INTERPRET
Editors often use these editorials to explain the way the newspaper covered a
sensitive or controversial subject. School newspapers may explain new school rules
or a particular student-body effort like a food drive
2. CRITICIZE
These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while
providing solutions to the problem identified. Immediate purpose is to get readers
to see the problem, not the solution
THE FORMAL LETTER
EDITORIAL
BLOG
EULOGY
OPEN LETTER
SPEECH
, THE FORMAL LETTER
Formal letters are used for many different purposes including job applications,
complaints, letters from businesses, banks etc, letters to the press, letters of
resignation and letters of apology (adjustment). Basically all formal communication
sent via the postal system should be in the form of a business/formal letter.
The register needed for this type of communication has to be formal in nature -
avoid slang, contractions and any personal or rude remarks.
PO Box 75289
Irene
3075
14 February 2020
The Manager
Standard Bank
5 Embankment Avenue
Centurion
0157
Dear Sir / Madam
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Complaint about service.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Paragraph 1
xxxxx
Paragraph 2
xxxxx
Paragraph 3
xxxxx
Yours sincerely
J.M. Peterson
, THE EDITORIAL
CHARACTERISTICS OF EDITORIAL WRITING
An editorial is an article that presents the newspaper's/magazine's opinion on an
issue. It reflects the majority vote of the editorial board, the governing body of
the newspaper made up of editors and business managers. It is usually unsigned.
Much in the same manner of a lawyer, editorial writers build on an argument and
try to persuade readers to think the same way they do. Editorials are meant to
influence public opinion, promote critical thinking, and sometimes cause people to
take action on an issue. In essence, an editorial is an opinionated news story.
EDITORIALS HAVE:
1. Introduction, body and conclusion like other news stories
2. An objective explanation of the issue, especially complex issues
3. A timely news angle (which means it is presently in the news)
4. Opinions from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same
issues the writer addresses
5. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good
editorials engage issues, not personalities and refrain from name-calling
or other petty tactics of persuasion
6. Alternative solutions to the problem or issue being criticized. Anyone can
gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should take a pro-active
approach to making the situation better by using constructive criticism
and giving solutions.
7. A solid and concise conclusion that powerfully summarizes the writer's
opinion.
FOUR TYPES OF EDITORIALS WILL:
1. EXPLAIN OR INTERPRET
Editors often use these editorials to explain the way the newspaper covered a
sensitive or controversial subject. School newspapers may explain new school rules
or a particular student-body effort like a food drive
2. CRITICIZE
These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while
providing solutions to the problem identified. Immediate purpose is to get readers
to see the problem, not the solution
