by M G Vassanji

FORMAL LETTER - LETTER OF COMPLAINT

QUESTION:
Your class is unhappy with your school canteen. As the monitor of your class, you have been asked to write to your principal, to complain about the following:
- food left uncovered - attract many flies
- food served is stale - food too expensive
- oily plates and cups - rude workers - workers not properly attired
- dustbins not cleared daily
- same menu daily

In your letter, you would also like to offer three suggestions from your classmates: - stringent checks - cheaper food - serve a variety of food

When writing the letter, you should remember:
- to set out the letter correctly
- to include all the points given
- to write in paragraphs. (30 marks)

Look at the model answer below to revise the format of a formal letter and see how the points are elaborated.

The Class Monitor,
Form 5 Amanah,
SMK Kayu Ara Pasong,
82010 Pontian,
Johore.
______________________________________________________________

Encik Juhair bin Jumaat,
The Principal,
SMK Kayu Ara Pasong,
82010 Pontian,
Johore.                                                                                 11 SEPTEMBER 2015


Dear Sir,

Unsatisfactory School Canteen

On behalf of the students of 5 Amanah, I would like to lodge a complaint about the school canteen.
2.        First and foremost, the food served is not covered and many flies can be seen hovering over the food. This may lead to food poisoning. Moreover, the canteen also serves stale food. The ‘nasi lemak’ turns bad by the time the upper forms have their recess. Last week, a few of us had diarrhoea after consuming food from the canteen.

3.       Apart from that, the food is also too expensive. A small plate of fried mee costs RM1.50 and many poor students cannot afford it. Besides that, the canteen serves the same menu daily. The students are bored with fried rice and fried mee every day.

4.      Another complaint is that the cups and plates are oily and not washed properly. The workers are also not appropriately attired although they have been told to wear aprons and caps. Moreover, these workers are rude to students. They shout at us and use foul language whenever they get angry. They also do not clear the dustbins and rubbish daily. This is very unhygienic. As a result, there is a foul stench whenever we eat in the canteen.

5.      Thus, we would like to suggest that the school authorities make stringent checks on the canteen daily or weekly. They should also ensure that the canteen serves a variety of food at a reasonable price. We would like to appeal to your sense of fairness and hope prompt action will be taken regarding these matters.

Thank You.

Yours faithfully,

    nora

(NORLISSA BT DUSUKI)
5 Amanah