while newspapers can treaty in the kind of letters they print. letter colums carry a wide range of topics especially about recent news and controversies The topics fall into two broad categories current affairs in local, national or international Me Toples can range from comments on local by- lows and openinns about ourrent cont to larger questions of philosophy and ideoloKY Personal experiences. The experiences can be humorous This instructive. They might relate to a larger issue (eg unemployment category includes letters appealing for money. help. volunteers or information in many papers, particular pages le & sporty mm and theatre: home and cookem carry ther own letters column. This frees the Letters to the td tor column for more eral topics. Purpose Letters in both catetories are written for a variety of purposes to complain, sueges. observe, criticize, thank. request. discus s and debate. Because editors aim for a wide audience, they do not normaly select letters which are technically difficult interest only a tiny minority. (hi) advertise commercially, organization and language Letters can refer back to earlier letters or articles or initiate discussions. Both types of letter norma y refer beck or specify the topic in the first paragraph -often the first sentence Generaly, each paragraph of a letter wil deveop one idea. The last paragraph of letter frequently contains the letter's man paint or suggestion. Letters to the Editor often persuade or influence by using rhetorical questions, emotive language humour