TACHS: Purpose of a letter: find the request and keep its size
Learn to label the parts of a letter, find the request that is its main purpose, and avoid choices that make the request larger or harsher than the writer does.
How do you find the main purpose of a letter when the choices include complaints, demands and offers?
Short answer
Label the parts of the letter, find the sentence with request words like please consider or could you, and notice the tone of the opening. The purpose is that request at its real size, never a harsher or bigger version.
Know first: The parts of a letter, Telling a polite request from a complaint
Step 1 of 5
Everything in a letter supports one request
Letters follow a pattern. The writer opens politely, explains what happened, makes a request, answers a possible objection, and closes with a reason to agree. The main purpose is the request.
Purpose choices for a letter often include a harsher or bigger version of it: a complaint, a demand to stop something, or an offer the writer never makes.
| Part | What it does | Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Sets the tone, often with thanks or praise | Thank you for, I enjoyed |
| Problem | Explains what went wrong | However, though, but |
| Request | The main purpose | Please consider, could you, I suggest |
| Concern | Answers a possible objection | I realize, I know this means |
| Closing | Gives a reason to agree | would let, deserves |
Other questions point to these parts: which detail shows the need (the problem), how the writer handles a drawback (the concern).
Step 2 of 5
Label the letter, then name the request
A letter about the spring concert
Dear Mr. Ito, Thank you for organizing the spring concert.1 Our families loved hearing every grade perform. The auditorium was so full, though, that many parents stood in the back and could not see the stage2. Could next year's concert have two performances?3 I know this means more work for the musicians4, so our class would be glad to set up chairs both nights. Sincerely, Jamal Reyes
- Opening: thanks, so the purpose isn't an attack.
- Problem: the need for change.
- Request: the main purpose.
- Concern, answered by the class's offer to help.
Worked example: What is Jamal's main purpose?
What is Jamal's main purpose in writing?
- ATo request a second performance of next year's concert
- BTo ask the school to cancel the concert
- CTo complain that the music was poorly chosen
- DTo offer to perform in next year's concert
- 1
Label the parts
Thanks, crowded auditorium, two performances, extra work answered by an offer, closing.
- 2
Find the request
Could next year's concert have two performances?
- 3
Check the tone
Thanks and praise. Nothing attacks the concert.
- 4
See why the other choices are there
B contradicts the thanks and the request for next year. C mentions music choices, which never come up. D twists the offer: his class would set up chairs, not perform, and that offer answers a concern.
Answer
To request a second performance of next year's concert.
Wrong: Jamal's purpose is to offer his class's help setting up chairs.
Right: Jamal's purpose is to request two performances; the offer to set up chairs answers a concern.
An offer near the end of a letter usually supports the request. It isn't the main purpose.
Step 3 of 5
Find the request and the detail that supports it
Read this letter
Dear Parks Committee,
Thank you for the new soccer field at Lincoln Park. My team practices there every Tuesday. Last week, on a hot afternoon, three players had to stop early because there was no shade and no water nearby. Please consider planting a row of trees along the east side and adding one drinking fountain. I know trees take years to grow, so a shade tent could help until then.
Sincerely, Devin Hall
Check yourself · Question 1
What is Devin's main purpose in writing?
Answer: D
The request sentence asks for trees and a drinking fountain, with a shade tent in the meantime. That is shade and water near the field.
Trap answer: To complain that the new field was built badly
Turning a request into a complaint
- Why it looks right
- The letter describes a real problem, and problems can sound like complaints.
- Why it's wrong
- The opening thanks the committee for the field. The problem is there to support a polite request.
- The right answer
- To request shade and water near the field.
Check yourself · Question 2
Which detail most directly supports the need for the change Devin requests?
Answer: C
Players stopping because of heat, with no shade or water, shows exactly why trees and a fountain are needed.
Common mistake
I chose the problem the writer described as the purpose of the letter.
- Why it's tempting
- The problem is the most vivid part, and it often fills the most space.
- Do this instead
- The problem supports the request. Find the sentence with please consider or could, and name that as the purpose.
Step 4 of 5
What to remember
Remember
- Label the parts of the letter: opening, problem, request, concern, closing.
- The main purpose is the request, at its real size and in the writer's polite tone.
- The detail that supports the need is in the problem, and an offer near the end usually answers a concern.
Step 5 of 5
Practice on a real question
Use what you just learned on this question, then check the explanation.
In your own words
In the practice question, which sentence of the letter makes the request, and which wrong choice makes it larger or harsher?