Crafting Effective Letters of Advice: Structure and Phrases

Letters Giving Advice

Introduction

Paragraph 1 - Thanks for the letter and express understanding of the problem.

Main Body

Paragraphs 2, (3) - Suggestion(s) and reason(s).

Conclusion

Final paragraph - Closing remarks.

Useful Language for Letters Giving Advice

Opening Remarks

Formal

• Thank you for your letter requesting...
• I am writing in reply to your letter asking for advice about...
• I hope the following advice will be of some help to you, etc.

Informal

• I just got your letter and I think I can help you...
• I was sorry to hear about your problem. Here's what I think you should do, etc.

Suggestions

Suggestions can be introduced with expressions such as:

Formal

• I strongly recommend that...
• I would suggest that...
• I believe the best course of action is...
• I would advise you to...
• You should...
• You ought to...
• You could also...
• If I were you I would...

Informal

• Why don't you...
• You should...
• You ought to...
• It would be a good idea to...
• What you should do is...
• How about...
• I think you should...
• The best advice I can give you is..., etc.

Closing Remarks

Formal

• I trust you will accept this advice.
• I hope this will be of help.
• I would very much like to know if this was helpful.

Informal

• Hope this has helped.
• Let me know what happens, etc.

Dear Miss Pierson,

Thank you for your letter asking for my advice about what you should do now that you have finished school. There are a range of options for you to choose from. If I were you, I would make a list of all the careers which may interest you and then decide which one you feel you are best suited to. You could also see a careers officer who would be able to give you professional advice. Furthermore, it would be a good idea to write to some universities and ask them to send you a prospectus; you may find a course which really appeals to you.

I hope these suggestions will be of help to you. I wish you well in whatever course of action you decide upon.

Yours sincerely,

Linda Steel

Dear Stephanie,

Thanks for your letter asking me for advice about how to lose weight. I'm sure your problem isn't as serious as you say it is.

The best advice I can give you is to choose one diet and really stick to it for a couple of months. It's pointless trying lots of different ones which only last a few days, as you've discovered! The most important thing to remember is to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and to exercise regularly.

If you follow my advice, I'm sure you'll be back in shape in no time. Let me know how it goes.

Love,

Kate