: Re: "Dear Stack Exchange, I am very disappointed in you" - How to construct a strong opening line in a letter? In light of recent events, I intended to write a simple letter of complaint to StackExchange.

@Holmes449

Vote Up Vote Down

When you begin a letter with a rant, especially if it is rude or bossy, it is unlikely to be taken on board, by the reader, or get the results you want.

The best opener in my view, establishes your credentials, mentions common ground, and creates a relationship with the reader, something like this:

As a member of Stack Exchange with n years experience and n answers
posted, I have come to expect and enjoy an egalitarian and fair
environment of communal sharing and collaboration for the common good.

Instead of trying to create the entire letter in the first paragraph, I suggest you slow down and craft a letter properly, which in my view best comprises these elements:

It is addressed to the top person by name (ie, the CEO)
A polite opener establishes your credentials, common ground, and relationship to the reader.
A paragraph describes the problem and how it makes you feel
A closing paragraph explains how you’ll react or action you’ll take if the issue is not addressed
Yours Sincerely, your name

Bear in mind that a letter is the opener of your conversation with someone. It need not be the final soliloquy of your life! More can follow.

Writing a long rant with an ‘in your face’ opening is not likely to get you what you want, in my view. It is also coming from a place of ‘expecting not to be heard’ - like a parental 3 year old.

Instead, come from a place of being a grownup, talking like an adult, in order to be taken seriously and get the results you want.

I also think that paragraph depth is always a great indicator of ‘emotion’. Those stout wordy paragraphs full of vitriol are best kept for your friend or therapist.

Once you’ve calmed down, craft a proper brief letter that clearly states your case, and will be more likely to get results.

Lastly, Mark Twain has a great quote on this: ‘sorry for the long letter - for I did not have time to write a short one!’

Here is the letter as I would write it:

Dear (name),

As a member of Stack Exchange with n years experience and n answers
posted, I have come to expect and enjoy an egalitarian and fair
environment of communal sharing and collaboration for the common good.

It was therefore of great shock and disappointment to me to discover
that a moderator has recently been dismissed in what I consider to be
a very unfair and summary manner.

I am writing therefore, to ask that you look into this, and to ask you
to reconsider the decision that was made.

I have to tell you that if appropriate action is not taken on this
issue, I will consider deleting my Stack Exchange account and leaving
the service.

Yours Sincerely

(0)

Login to post a comment!