WRITING TO ADVISEWhen we are Writing to Advise

then we need to use the reminder :

A G O N Y A U N TAn ‘Agony Aunt’ is the slang name for someone who writes an advice column for newspapers and magazines. Readers write in with their problems and the ‘Agony Aunt’ advises them on their best course of action(what they should do to solve their problem).

PROBLEMS

PROBLEMS

PROBLEMS

Help, I need advice!

is for AUDIENCEWe always need to think about the person to whom we are writing. This helps us to choose solutions suitable for them.

For example if we are replying to teenagers, we will try andthink of solutions to their

problems that they will feel comfortable with.

is for Giving Good reasons tofollow your advice

• It will help you here to use Modal Verbs• Always explain your advice. Eg. If you could try and not be so jealous, then maybe your girlfriend would forgive you.

Is for being OBJECTIVE

Being OBJECTIVE means that

you are able to consider a situation

from everyone’s point of view and

not take sides. This helps you to

give fair and balanced advice.

Is for NEW paragraphs for NEW topics

Always remember to start a NEW PARAGRAPH if you start a new topic.

Eg. I advise you to try talking this through.(New topic, so start new paragraph by

leaving a clear space)

Another approach you could try is to ask a mutual friend to talk to her first.

Is for YOU

Use the personal pronoun YOU, often in your writing to advise. This will

make the reader feel as

if you are putting them

and their problems

first.

Is for AUTHORITYWhen giving advice, we

must sound as if we know

what we are talking about.

We must sound as if we are

an AUTHORITY on the

subject.

Authority =

Expert

Is for UNDERSTANDING

It is important to always try to understand the

problem that the reader is experiencing.

This will help the reader to feel he is not struggling on his own.

Use sentence starters such as ,

I understand how you feel…. OrYou are not alone…….

Is for NEVER be NEGATIVE!

In ‘Writing to Advise’, remember that

someone is relying on you to encourage and

support them. Never be negative when

advising people. Try and make them feel like No. 1!

Is for TONE

TONE is very important. It will

decide whether you use FORMAL

or INFORMAL language in your

writing. It will also help you decide what vocabulary to use. When writing to advise

use friendly, supportive,

kind words to give

advice.

WRITING TO ADVISE?THEN USE

A – Audience –choose formal or informal language

G – Give Good reasons for following your advice

O – Objective viewpoint – Don’t take sides

N - New paragraphs for new ideas

Y – You – using personal pronouns makes the reader feel you are interested in him

A – Authority – pretend to be an expert on problems

U – Understanding – Show you understand the reader’s situation

N – Never be Negative – Make the read feel like No. 1!

T – Tone – use the right tone, friendly and supportive