A letter of complaint

Writing tips
 TYPE OF LETTER
What kind of letter is a letter of complaint? Is it
formal or informal?

formal letter
 SALUTATIONS
1. What is the appropriate salutation for a letter
addressed to a man called John Smith?

2. And to a woman called Mary Johnson?

3. What if you don’t know who you’re writing to

exactly?
 CLOSING THE LETTER
4. What is the appropriate closing for a letter
addressed to John Smith or Mary Johnson?

5. What if you don’t know who you’re writing to

exactly?
 LINKING WORDS
6. What linking words can you use to add new
information?
Example: in addition
 LINKING WORDS
7. What linking words can you use to express
opposition?
Example: however
 LINKING WORDS
8. What linking words can you use to express
cause?
Example: because
 LINKING WORDS
9. What linking words can you use to express
purpose?
Example: for
 LINKING WORDS
10.What linking words can you use to express
consequence?
Example: so
 SALUTATIONS
1. What is the appropriate salutation for a letter
addressed to a man called John Smith?
Dear Mr Smith, ...
2. And to a woman called Mary Johnson?
Dear Ms Johnson, ...
3. What if you don’t know who you’re writing to
exactly?
Dear Sir or Madam, ...
 CLOSING THE LETTER
4. What is the appropriate closing for a letter
addressed to John Smith or Mary Johnson?
Yours sincerely, ...

5. What if you don’t know who you’re writing to

exactly?
Yours faithfully, ...
 LINKING WORDS
6. What linking words can you use to add new
information?
Example: in addition
Furthermore, ...
Moreover, ...
Besides, ...
apart from (+ noun / gerund)
 LINKING WORDS
7. What linking words can you use to express
opposition?
Example: however
Nevertheless, ...
Nonetheless, ...
although (+ full clause)
despite (+ noun / gerund)
in spite of (+ noun / gerund)
 LINKING WORDS
8. What linking words can you use to express
cause?
Example: because
due to... (+ noun)
owing to... (+ noun)
because of... (+ noun)
as a result of... (+ noun)
as... (+ full clause)
since (+ full clause)
 LINKING WORDS
9. What linking words can you use to express
purpose?
Example: for
to (+ infinitive)
in order to (+ infinitive)
so as to (+ infinitive)
with the aim of (+ gerund)
 LINKING WORDS
10.What linking words can you use to express
consequence?
Example: so
Therefore, ...
As a result, ...
As a consequence, ...
Consequently, ...
 A LETTER OF COMPLAINT-
STRUCTURE
What parts should a letter of complaint have?
1. Salutation
2. Introduction (Why am I writing?)
3. Explaining the problem
4. Expressing dissatisfaction
5. Saying what you want
6. Closing the letter
 A LETTER OF COMPLAINT-
REGISTER
INTRODUCTION:

I’m writing because I’m annoyed with...

I write to express my dissatisfaction

regarding...
 A LETTER OF COMPLAINT-
REGISTER
EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM:

This thing I bought last week doesn’t work the

way it should.

The television which I purchased on the 25th of

May has malfunctioned on several
occasions.
 A LETTER OF COMPLAINT-
REGISTER
EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION:

I’m really annoyed because you said it’d work for

at least a year.

I am highly displeased with the service

provided, as I was informed that this item
came with a one-year guarantee.
 A LETTER OF COMPLAINT-
REGISTER
SAYING WHAT YOU WANT:

I want my money back.

I believe I am entitled to a full refund on my
purchase.

Call me as soon as possible.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience.
 A LETTER OF COMPLAINT-
REGISTER
CLOSING THE LETTER:

Hope to see you soon.

I looking forward to hearing from you.