Unit 4.

Writing: Making Suggestions

In many types of writing (e.g. letters, reports, articles, compositions, etc), we often have to make suggestions/ recommendations or give advice.

In such pieces of writing we always present the problem, then in separate paragraphs we write our suggestions supported by reasons/ possible results.

Remember the following:

• Relevance – always have a clear understanding of the problem so that the suggestions/ recommendations/ advice are practical.

• Target reader and style – the style used should always be appropriate to the reader(s) and the type of writing.

• Organisation

– The introduction should mention the problem(s)/ cause(s)/ effect(s).

– The main body should contain suggestion(s)/ recommendation(s)/ advice in separate paragraphs and the expected results of each suggestion.

– The conclusion should summarise points mentioned in the main body, encourage the reader(s) to take action, etc.

• Linking – a variety of constructions should be used, e.g. – One solution is to ... – If I were you, I would ... – Steps/ measures should be taken to ... – (Joining a gym) would also help to ... – By (joining a gym) you could/ would, etc.

Conditional and hypothetical sentences are also useful while we write our suggestions, e.g.

– If we/ the government were to... – This would/ could/ might help to...

► Understanding the Rubric 1

Ex 1.

Read the rubric below and underline the key information. Then answer the questions that follow.

You recently went to an exhibition entitled 'Ideal Homes'. You enjoyed the exhibition and you have some suggestions on how to make the next one even better. Read the advertisement for the exhibition you attended and the notes you made. Then write a letter to the organisers, giving your opinion on what you saw and making your suggestions.

Ideal Homes Exhibition Come and see the latest in designs for modern living. There's so much to see and do including:

• Over 300 living room ideas

• A range of styles from top designers

• Environmentally-friendly ideas

The date this year is:

Fri. 16th. – Sun 18th. May

Entrance fee £16.00

Great! What about kitchens and dining rooms?

Bathroom ideas?

Fantastic, but no mention of gardens!

Too expensive for most people

Not long enough!

Should be at least a week!

1. What do you have to write?

2. Who is the target reader?

3. Does the style need to be formal or informal? Give reasons.

4. Should you mention the things that you liked about the exhibition?

5. Which suggestions should you include in the main body? How could you arrange them into paragraphs?

6. How could you begin and end your letter?

► Analysing a letter making suggestions

Ex 2.

a. Read the model and replace the words and phrases in bold with the following:

• in addition • truly • useful • to begin with • lastly • despite the fact that

• congratulate you on the success of • put forward

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am writing to 1) say how much I enjoyed the recent Ideal Homes Exhibition and to 2) make one or two suggestions for next year.

3) Firstly, the ideas for living rooms were 4) really impressive. Perhaps in future years we could see a similar emphasis placed on other rooms in the house. One suggestion would be to feature more ideas for bathrooms, and I am sure many of your visitors would welcome inspiring ideas for kitchens and dining rooms.

Secondly, 5) although the ideas for protecting the environment were very well presented, I think it would be a good idea to include a feature about gardens. In this way, people would be able to design their outdoor areas in a way which actually benefits the environment.

6) Finally, I recommend that you extend the duration of the exhibition and reduce the cost of the tickets. If you were to remain open for a minimum of one week, more people would be able to visit it. 7) What is more, if it was cheaper, then this would attract more visitors.

I hope that you find the above suggestions 8) helpful and I look forward to attending next year.

Yours faithfully,

Emma Brown

Emma Brown

b. Find examples in the model where the writer:

1. says positive things about the exhibition.

2. makes suggestions.

3. says what the result of these suggestions would be.

4. rephrases the information from the reading input in her own words.

Has the writer included all the notes she has made?

► Useful Language

Ex 3.

a. Study the useful language in the box and find examples in the model in Ex. 2a.

Useful language: Making Suggestions/ Recommendations • I suggest/ recommend + gerund/ that • I think it would be a good idea + to infinitive/ if • Perhaps we/ you could + bare infinitive • If + simple past • If we/ you were to + bare infinitive • One/ Another suggestion/ idea would be/ is + to infinitive

b. Using the prompts given below, write full sentences, as in the example.

1. suggest / hold / festival / three times a year

I suggest that you hold the festival three times a year.

2. I think / good idea / ask / principal / give / prizes

3. Perhaps / have / party / school hall

4. If / bought / new computer / work / better

5. If / were / move / desks / have more space

6. Another suggestion / sell tickets / students / parents

Ex 4.

Imagine that you have been asked to suggest improvements to your school or college. Match the suggestions (1-6) to the expected results (a-f). Then use appropriate language from the useful language in the box to make sentences, as in the examples.

		Suggestions		Expected results
1	d	organise more excursions	a	help people with the language
2		advertise in the newspapers	b	reduce crowding in class
3		change the lights in reception	c	attract more students
4		start an English club	d	break up the term
5		employ one more teacher	e	classes more fun
6		use more video/ DVD lessons	f	brighter for visitors

Useful language: Expressing the results of suggestions • This would mean that/ lead to/ result in ... • As a result, ... • The result/ effect of this would be to/ that... • In this way, we/ you/ people/ etc would (be able to)... • If ... , it/ you/ we/ people/ etc could/ would/ might/ etc

I think it would be a good idea to organise more excursions.

The effect of this would be to break up the term.

OR

If we were to organise more excursions, it would break up the term.

Ex 5.

a. Read the paragraph below and choose the most appropriate words/ phrases in bold. Where could you read this extract?

Another difficulty that was mentioned in the report was that visitors to the school were having problems 1) finding/ to find parking places, causing parents to worry about their children's safety when dropping them off for school. One 2) way/ solution to solve this problem 3) must/ would be to enlarge the existing car park. This 4) should/ could easily be done by knocking down the fence to the right of the school and 5) using/ to use the neighbouring land for parking. If we 6) had/ were to do this, there 7) would/ had be much more space and students and visitors 8) would be able to/ might come and go safely.

b. Underline the sentences in the paragraph above which: make a suggestion; highlight a problem; mention the expected result.

Ex 6.

Use the prompts below to write a similar paragraph to the one in Ex 5a.

Problem: Student numbers are falling – school may have to close

Suggestion: Advertise what school offers – local newspaper, radio, posters

Expected result: More people know about the school – attract new students

► Style

Sometimes it is not appropriate to write formally. A letter to a friend, for example, or an article for a teenager's magazine, asks for use of less formal language. Phrases which could be used for less formal writing include:

To give advice/ make suggestions • Why don't you/ we ... • We/ You could ... • If I were you, I'd ... • I think it would be a good idea to ... • Why not ...

To express the results of suggestions • Then you/ we might/ could ... • This would mean that... • You might find that ... • That way, ... • You never know, you might...

Ex 7.

The following are too formal for the situation in which each was written. Re-write each one in a less formal style. Use expressions from above and make any other necessary changes.

1. If it was my decision, I would attend the party. After all, there is a distinct possibility that you might meet new friends.

2. One suggestion would be for you to try to learn a foreign language. If you were to do this, it would help you to obtain a better career.

3. I recommend that you join a gym. As a result, you will get fit and probably start to feel more positive.

4. I think it would be a good idea if you were to telephone him. This would result in an opportunity to discuss this matter for a second time.

► Brainstorming

Ex 8.

Imagine that you are in the following situations. What advice/ recommendations/ suggestions are appropriate? Should they be expressed in formal or informal language? In pairs, using the words and phrases you have learned in this unit, decide what you will write in each case.

A. Your best friend has written to you asking for your advice because he is bored with his room and desperately wants to make some changes.

informal – It would be a good idea to paint your room a brighter colour.

B. You have been asked to write a magazine article giving advice to foreigners who are considering coming to live in your country.

C. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay saying how you think we should deal with the problem of homelessness in your town.

D. You belong to a sports club and the secretary has asked you to write a report, saying what improvements could be made to the club's facilities.

► Understanding the Rubric 2

Ex 9.

Read the rubric, underline the key words and answer the questions.

You are a member of a local youth club that may have to close due to lack of funds. The youth leader has asked the club members to write an article suggesting ways of raising money to keep the youth club open. Suitable articles will be printed in the club's next newsletter.

Write your article. You should write between 120 and 180 words.

1. Who are the target readers? How formal does your writing need to be?

2. What do you have to write?

3. Which of the following suggestions could you make ( √ )?

[ ] Buy new equipment

[ ] Increase the monthly charge to members

[ ] Ask the local council for help

[ ] Open a new youth club somewhere else

[ ] Approach local companies for sponsorship

[ ] Move to cheaper premises

4. For each of the suggestions that you ticked above, say what the expected result would be.

5. What useful language could you use to introduce the suggestions and results?

Ex 10.

a. Work in pairs. Read models A and B below, and say which one is a poor answer to the rubric in Ex. 9. Think about whether:

• the title is suitable • the introduction catches the reader's attention • the writer follows the instructions in the rubric • the style is appropriate for the target reader • the writer paraphrases the rubric • the suggestions are suitable

MODEL A: