DSE English | Paper 2 letter to the editor: lesson-prep guide for tutors

2026-11-02

Tutor lesson-prep guides · Secondary English

A student can write a whole letter of complaint and still leave the editor unsure what is being asked for. This lesson turns displeasure into one demand, two reasons and one action.

Objectives — Students can: (1) write a stance sentence that names the reader and one concrete action; (2) support it with two paragraphs, each carrying one checkable example; (3) close with an action the reader can actually take, not a hope that someone will pay attention.

01 Prerequisites (3-minute check)

If any of these fails, fix it before the lesson starts.

Skill	Quick check	Pass mark
Format	Does a letter to the editor need the recipient address?	Usually not; open with Dear Editor
Register	Are contractions acceptable in a formal complaint?	No; use full forms and drop emotional wording
Length	The task asks for about 240 words. What range is acceptable?	Roughly plus or minus 10 percent

02 Lesson flow (60 minutes)

Time	Stage	Tutor does	Student does
0–5 min	Opening question	Read two student letters and ask which one would be printed	Vote, one reason each
5–15 min	Prerequisite check	Three quick checks on format, register and length	Written answers, marked live
15–35 min	Three-part script	Teach the stance sentence, two evidenced reasons and the call to action	One-sentence recap after each part
35–45 min	Worked questions	Model a 40-word opening, an 80-word reason and a 40-word close	Copy and underline the demand
45–55 min	Independent practice	Circulate; ask only what the editor should do	Write three paragraphs and self-check
55–60 min	Exit check	Collect the stance sentence and judge whether it is actionable	Written, no talking

03 Teaching script (read it out)

Scene 1: Part 1: one sentence, one demand

The first paragraph does one job: say who should do what. Use “I am writing to urge the Council to …” and finish with a verb. Keep it under 40 words; background belongs in paragraph two.

Who should do what, exactly, after reading your letter?

Scene 2: Part 2: two reasons, one example each

2 body paragraphs of about 80 words: the topic sentence states the reason, the middle carries one checkable example (a number, a date, a place), and the last sentence links back to the demand. The two reasons must not be two faces of the same point.

Are your two reasons actually different? Say each in one sentence.

Scene 3: Part 3: close with an action

40 words to close, naming something the reader can do and someone can verify, such as “install two more bins by June”. “I hope the authorities will pay attention” is not a close.

Could anyone check next month whether that action happened?

04 Question types and worked steps

Type	Example	Steps	Answer
Stance sentence	The task gives a situation and asks for the opening.	(1) Name yourself and the purpose; (2) one demand; (3) no background detail.	Example: I am writing to urge the Council to extend library hours during exam periods.
Reason paragraph	The task asks for one supporting reason.	(1) Topic sentence states the reason; (2) one concrete piece of evidence; (3) one sentence back to the demand.	Example: Last year the library closed at 7 pm while 300 students stayed on the pavement.
Concession	The task asks you to answer the opposing view (higher band).	(1) State the objection fairly; (2) show it is limited; (3) offer a middle path.	Example: Extra hours do cost money, yet one weekday evening costs less than a single repair bill.
Call to action	The task asks for the closing paragraph.	(1) Restate the demand once; (2) one verifiable action; (3) a formal sign-off.	Example: I therefore ask the Council to trial extended hours for one term and publish attendance figures.

Sanity check (teach this): Sanity check: 40 plus 2 times 80 plus 40 equals 240 words, inside the 200 to 250 word task. Read the first sentence of each paragraph together: if all three say “I think” and none carries a demand verb, the letter has no stance regardless of its length.

05 Independent practice (3 questions)

Question	Answer	What to watch
Rewrite “I hope the authorities will pay attention” as an actionable demand.	I urge the Council to publish air-quality readings for all 18 districts every month.	Check for a named reader and a verb; missing either fails.
Write one reason sentence with a number for the demand to extend library hours.	Last December, 320 students were turned away before 8 pm on weekdays.	Check that the number is specific, checkable and linked to the demand.
Write a 40-word concession that admits the cost concern.	Extra opening hours do cost money, yet the cost of one additional evening shift is modest.	Check that the objection is acknowledged rather than dismissed.

06 Common mistakes and what to say

Mistake	Student writes	Say this
Stance written as feeling	I feel very unhappy about the library closing early.	The editor still cannot tell what you want. Rewrite it as urge the Council to extend hours.
Two reasons, one idea	First, it is inconvenient. Second, it is not convenient.	That is one reason written twice. Replace the second with figures or an affected group.
Evidence without a source	Many students are affected every day.	How many is many? Name a number, a month and a place.
Empty close	I hope the government will seriously consider this issue.	That sentence fits any letter. Replace it with an action someone can verify.

07 Homework (paper, section and question numbers)

Secondary English index: finish the three exercises, then practise locating evidence in the Paper 1 reading chapter — Exercises 1–3 on this page

08 Exit check (last 5 minutes)

Question	Answer	Decision
What two things must the first paragraph contain?	A named reader and a demand verb	Missing one: reteach part 1
What does each of the 2 body paragraphs need?	A reason topic sentence and one checkable example	Cannot answer: reteach part 2
What makes a closing acceptable?	An action the reader can take and someone can verify	Cannot answer: reteach part 3

09 Tutor FAQ

Which year is this for?

S4 to S5 Paper 2; the same structure works for S6 revision.

Is a concession paragraph compulsory?

Four paragraphs at 240 words is enough; the concession is a stretch task for stronger students.

Is there a matching paper?

The homework link goes to the secondary English index, which pairs with the site practice papers.

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A TutorZone lesson-prep guide. Written by the TutorZone team; questions and lesson flow are original and are not taken from any school or publisher material.