Letter Sample #19 – Write to the editor to inform about wrong information

GT Writing Task 1 (Letter Writing) Sample # 19

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently read an article in the newspaper about someone you know personally. You found some information is wrong.

Write a letter to the editor to inform him about it. In your letter:

• what the article is about
• what the error is
• what you expect the editor to do

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Model Answer 1:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Three days ago I read an article in your newspaper, the Daily Times, about a local hero who saved seven children from an impending fatal accident almost five years ago. He is also a revered doctor and a beloved father and a husband. I am personally known to him as a former college and would like to point out some of the inaccurate information that the article included about him.

In relation to the specifics of the article, it was published in the Daily Times on the local news section on 18th November and it focused on how valiant Mr Alfred’s act was to risk his own life in order to save others. This was a great read and I must commend the article. However, the mention of his serving in the Air Force in 2001 is incorrect. He had been, instead, in the Navy and served as a doctor, not a soldier. Moreover, he does not work for the Turnberry Hospital anymore, despite the claim. He is now retired and enjoys his time with his family.

As a clarification, and because I really appreciate your effort to highlight his noble acts, I would like someone from your newspaper to contact him and apologise for the mistakes and then publish a correction regarding the article.

Thank you for giving the matter your attention and I hope to hear your reply soon.

Yours faithfully,

David Hanson

Model Answer 2:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I like reading your newspaper as it is one of the most popular dailies in our country and offers truly remarkable news and information. I especially like to read your article section where you do a great job of writing about the life of a person who has contributed to our society at some point in his life one way or another.

But, a couple of weeks ago, when I was reading about the life of such a person in your article section, published on April 17, 2019, I unexpectedly discovered some factual errors. In fact, the person, you wrote about, is a distant relative of mine, and I happen to know him for almost 20 years. And, I also know this for fact that he was never “relieved of his duty” due to some “misconduct” at his work, rather he simply decided to retire from his job because of suffering from a chronic illness almost 10 years ago. I hope that the mistake was not intentional.

Therefore, I would really like to request you to please correct the blunder while also making sure at the same time that such a mistake doesn’t repeat in future.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Roger MacLaine