Writing a Letter of
Complaint.
LO1: Identify the necessary parts of a letter of complaint. LO2: Devise a letter of complaint, using the correct structure and language.
TASK: Answer the following questions in your exercise book.
1. Why might you write a letter of complaint to someone
(purpose)?
2. What reasons might people give for complaining?
Letters of Complaint
- A letter of complaint is all about informing someone about something being wrong.
- Usually a letter of complaint is a formal document, so we have to use standard English vocabulary and be very clear with our writing. - This type of letter has a very clear structure. Structure of a formal letter – Addresses.
- Your address goes at the top right of the page.
- The person/company address goes on the left of the page, starting level with bottom of your address.
3 ABC Street
Town
County
Postcode
Date
Business Name
Street
Town
County
Postcode
Structure of a formal letter – Paragraphs
First Paragraph - explain why you are writing the letter (I am writing to you to complain about...)
Second Paragraph – describe the issue you have in more detail (when, where and why you bought it; what has happened to it, etc)
Third Paragraph – inform the person/company what you have done to solve the issue/problem already (taken the product back to the shop, etc)
Fourth Paragraph – Explain what you want to happen next (want a new replacement, want your money back, etc)
Task: You’ve bought a new phone
from a phone shop recently and something has gone wrong. You took it back to the shop, but they wouldn’t do anything.
Write a letter of complaint to the
Head Office of the company.
REMEMBER: You need to ensure your letter is clear and uses formal
language.