How to write a letter to the editor about an issue

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Edit   Delete - Last Modified By: JCA at 27/10/2014 9:58:43 AM

ACTIVITY 1

Factory collapse in Bangladesh. 

 http://www.itv.com/news/2013-10-08/the-wait-for-compensation-goes-on-six-months-after-the-bangladesh-factory-collapse-two-bags-of-rice/ 

  

ACTIVITY 1

READ the following :

Scandal in Bangladesh :

On the morning of April 24, 2013, a group of garment workers argued with their managers outside Rana Plaza, a commercial building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which contained a number of clothing factories.

The garment workers said the structure was unsafe; that cracks in the building’s concrete had appeared and were growing in size; and that they feared for their lives. The managers replied that anyone refusing to enter the building would have their wages docked, not just for that day but for the entire month. In Bangladesh, losing a month’s wages can mean starvation, so the garment workers were forced to climb the stairs to their work stations, gingerly stepping around cracks in the floor.

An hour later, the eight storey building collapsed on itself, its illegally built top storeys shaken to bits by giant generators placed there to keep the factory running during frequent power cuts. Thousands of workers dropped through floors and were crushed by falling pillars and machinery. Survivors were trapped in a living grave.

The official death toll of Rana Plaza was 1,133, making it the deadliest garment factory disaster in history. Another 2,500 people were injured, many disabled permanently.

DISCUSSION ACTIVITY :

What is scandalous about the accident above?

Would such working conditions be tolerated in Melbourne?

Which stores in Melbourne (Australia) sell cheap clothing from Bangladesh? Can you find out? Research?

What should we do to make working conditions safer in Bangladesh?

What would you do or suggest to the clothing companies in Australia?

Australian companies feel heat from Bangladesh factory fire

Another fatal fire in a Bangladeshi clothing factory has raised tough questions for Australian retailers. New safety standards are being introduced to prevent future incidents, but some Australian companies have yet to sign up.

WRITING :

Imagine you are writing a letter to the editor about this scandal and the information above.

Dear Editor.....

What is your main contention?

What are three arguments you can use to support your main contention?

How will you finish your letter?

How will you use language persuasively?

 

 

 

Edit   Delete - Last Modified By: JCA at 3/11/2014 11:42:55 AM

 

Want to explore more after you write about the Bangladesh issue?

Find an issue you are deeply interested in - search through current issues - these may be local or global.

Consider an issue you are passionate about and one that is currently being discussed.

Perhaps you can find an issue that you feel so strongly about that you can write a letter to the editor and see if this is published.

 

Edit   Delete - Last Modified By: JCA at 27/10/2014 10:04:27 AM

 

Introduction - Main contention (use persuasive language) 

 

Dear Editor,

I am shocked at the recent tragic deaths of so many factory workers in Bangladesh. We must force Australian companies who buy cheap garments to help the victims and makes sure conditions improve so that this never happens again.

 

Reason 1 All workers in every part of the world should be entitled to fair wages for their work. Bangladesh workers only get 14 cents an hour yet the t-shirts they make and we buy cost $20. Is this fair?

Reason 2 Australian companies that buy garments should be prepared to pay compensation to the victims and their families. 1133 people died, 2500 were injured and some permanently disabled.

Reason 3 The owner of the building must be held responsible for forcing his workers into the dangerous building. No building permits were given for the four stories that collapsed. The government in India must have ways to check that building owners are doing the right thing. Imagine if this happened in Australia!

Conclusion - Sum up and leave readers with a final plea to act now.

 
Edit   Delete - Last Modified By: JCA at 16/11/2014 10:58:50 AM

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJiOSuG9gZ4

ACTIVITY 1

Factory collapse in Bangladesh. 

 http://www.itv.com/news/2013-10-08/the-wait-for-compensation-goes-on-six-months-after-the-bangladesh-factory-collapse-two-bags-of-rice/ 

  

ACTIVITY 1

READ the following :

Scandal in Bangladesh :

On the morning of April 24, 2013, a group of garment workers argued with their managers outside Rana Plaza, a commercial building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which contained a number of clothing factories.

The garment workers said the structure was unsafe; that cracks in the building’s concrete had appeared and were growing in size; and that they feared for their lives. The managers replied that anyone refusing to enter the building would have their wages docked, not just for that day but for the entire month. In Bangladesh, losing a month’s wages can mean starvation, so the garment workers were forced to climb the stairs to their work stations, gingerly stepping around cracks in the floor.

An hour later, the eight storey building collapsed on itself, its illegally built top storeys shaken to bits by giant generators placed there to keep the factory running during frequent power cuts. Thousands of workers dropped through floors and were crushed by falling pillars and machinery. Survivors were trapped in a living grave.

The official death toll of Rana Plaza was 1,133, making it the deadliest garment factory disaster in history. Another 2,500 people were injured, many disabled permanently.

DISCUSSION ACTIVITY :

What is scandalous about the accident above?

Would such working conditions be tolerated in Melbourne?

Which stores in Melbourne (Australia) sell cheap clothing from Bangladesh? Can you find out? Research?

What should we do to make working conditions safer in Bangladesh?

What would you do or suggest to the clothing companies in Australia?

 

Australian companies feel heat from Bangladesh factory fire

Another fatal fire in a Bangladeshi clothing factory has raised tough questions for Australian retailers. New safety standards are being introduced to prevent future incidents, but some Australian companies have yet to sign up.

WRITING :

Imagine you are writing a letter to the editor about this scandal and the information above.

Dear Editor.....

What is your main contention?

What are three arguments you can use to support your main contention? Place these in 3 separate paragraphs. The first sentence is your main idea.

How will you finish your letter? This is the conclusion.

How will you use language persuasively? 

NEXT CLASS - RESEARCHING ISSUES - YOU MUST BRING YOUR NETBOOK OR ANY NEWSPAPER ARTICLES YOU HAVE FOUND. WHAT TOPIC ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?