Have practice in writing letters of advice

Advice is a recommendation, guidance, an opinion, a proposition, a suggestion or the wise words.

Letters asking and giving advice can be:

• formal – sent to an official person;
• informal – sent to a friend;
• semi-formal – sent to an advice column in a magazine.

Useful Phrases

Opening Remarks

Formal

I am writing to ask if you could help me

You would do me a favor if you could advise what to do

I would appreciate if you could give me some advice about

I would be most grateful to you if you could help me in the dilemma

I am writing to ask for your advice

I would be grateful if you could offer your advice

Could you possibly offer your advice?

I wonder if you could help me with a problem

You are the only person I could ask for advice on my problem

I come to you seeking advice on a personal matter

You are the person who seems to know right from wrong

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 …

Informal

I was sorry to hear about your problem …

I just got your letter and I think I can help you …

Here is what I think you should do …

I’m writing to ask for advice

Can you give me your advice?

I’ve got a problem and I need your advice

I don’t want to be a nuisance, but I need your advice

Closing remarks

Formal

I would appreciate it if you could give me your advice as soon as possible;

I look forward to receiving your advice;

It would be of great help if you could advise me;

What do you suggest / recommend?

I trust you will accept this advice…

I would very much like to know if this was helpful…

Informal

What do you think I should do?

Please let me know what you think I should do;

Please tell me what to do;

What would you do in this situation?

What ought /should I (to) do?

If you were me what would you do?

I hope this will be of help to you…

Hope this has helped…

Let me know what happens.

Samples

Dear Eliza,

First of all, I want to thank you for your previous letter, in which you shared the latest news with me. I am happy to hear that you are doing well and the problems you wrote about before were solved.

Unfortunately, I have come across with a range of troubles and badly need your advice. You are the only person I fully trust and I rely on your experience a lot.

Maybe you can give me some advice and things will get better soon.

My first problem is about my weight. I have never been on a diet, and I do not know which to choose and which will not do any harm to my health. I have tried to do some healthy exercises, such as playing ball games and swimming but they are not very interesting to me and I get bored very soon. Can you advise any other good ways to keep fit and healthy?

Besides I should mention I am not satisfied with my appearance a lot. I understand that everyone has different looks but I feel uneasy when my class mates talk about me behind my back.

Another problem is about my English at school. I think I am very bad at learning English so I get low marks in English tests. I know how well you speak English and I thought you could give me some tips on this matter. I tried to listen to and learn English by watching TV programmes in English, but I hardly understand them and it drives me crazy.

And finally, the problem about my relationship with my parents. I do not share their way of spending our weekends and holidays. I can not reveal my thoughts and feelings to them and it even makes me feel worse. Hope your advice will change the things. Write to me soon as you can. Thanks a lot in advance for your patience and understanding.

Yours truly,

Joanna

Dear Joanna,

First of all, thank you for writing me this letter. I’m sorry to hear about your problems. Maybe I can give you some advice and things will get better soon.

Your first problem is about you weight. Besides having a healthy diet, I suggest that you could try to do some healthy exercises, such as playing ball games and swimming. It is a good way to keep fit and healthy. If you keep on doing these, I’m sure you will become slimmer and healthier.  What is more you should not mind your own appearance a lot. Everyone has different appearances and should tell your friends about this. I’m absolutely sure they will be friendly to you again.

Your next problem is about your English school work. I think you are afraid of learning English so you get bad marks in English tests. Why don’t you listen to English songs and watch TV programs in English? It is not a problem if you don’t know the meaning of the words.  If you keep on watching them, you will have great improvement in English.

Your last problem is about your relationships with your parents. It would be great to enjoy your holiday together or having lunch on Sunday. These kinds of activities can fix your relationships with your mum and dad. I also suggest that you should share your feelings and worries with your parents; maybe they can give you some good ideas.

Hope my advice works. Let me know what happens.

Best wishes,

Eliza