Contents
What is “SOW in Love” Letter Writing Competition?
What is a Love Letter?
How to Write a Love Letter?
2
How to Present a Love Letter Effectively?
What is “SOW in Love”
Letter Writing Competition?
3
4
Each entry should include:
a letter with a *Saying of Wisdom as
part of the content; and
a piece of 2D artwork as a visual
representation of the key message(s)
of the letter
In the “SOW in Love” Letter Writing Competition organised under the
campaign on “Promoting Positive Values and Attitudes through English
Sayings of Wisdom 2023/24” (SOW Campaign 2023/24), students are to
write a letter to express their love and gratitude to a recipient and
address the overarching theme and the six sub-themes in the next slide.
a letter
a 2D
artwork
* A proverb, a quote from a famous person, or an original one from you.
Love the Community
Fostering a harmonious and
inclusive society, caring for
your school and neighbours,
respecting diversity
5
Love Myself
Personal growth, self-
management, leading a
healthy lifestyle
Love Learning
Being inquisitive and reflective,
a drive to apply and experiment
with knowledge, lifelong
learning
Love Our Family and
Friends
Filial piety and reverence for
ancestors, responsibility and
commitment to the family,
friendship
Love Nature
Biodiversity conservation,
animal protection, green
living
Love Our Country
Embracing our national identity,
affection for hometown,
appreciation of Chinese culture
and heritage
What is a Love Letter?
7
What is a Love Letter?
8
A love letter, which is
deeply personal, is one
of the best gifts for
someone or something
dear to our hearts to
express our love and
gratitude to them.
9
You can express your love through showing…
Gratitude
Appreciation
Respect
Aspiration
Admiration
Care & concern
Affection
How to Write a Love Letter?
10
11
How to Write a Love Letter?
Writing a love letter may seem challenging. The following steps
will help you tailor-make a heartfelt letter to your loved ones:
Identifying the
focus, recipient(s)
and SOW
01
Generating ideas
& enriching the
content
02
Organising the
content
systematically
03
Identifying the focus, recipient(s) and SOW
12
01
To identify the focus and
recipient(s), you can:
Find a source of inspiration –
a memorable experience in
your life
recall an awakening moment
from the memorable
experience and your feelings
visiting a
memorable
place
joining a dinner gathering
watching a film
13
Identifying the focus, recipient(s) and SOW
A memorable
experience
An awakening moment
and your feelings
Possible recipient(s)
The central
theme
Studying at the
school library for
tests and exams
The hardships reminded me
that the library supported
my learning all along and I’m
grateful for the productive
study environment.
Dear Ms Wong
(teacher librarian)
Dear Encyclopedia
Britannica (a book)
Dear school library
01
Identifying the focus, recipient(s) and SOW
01
When deciding recipient(s), you can be more creative and consider
different options. The recipient(s) can be:
a person
OR
an object/a place
an individual
a collective group of people
real imaginary
right here and now in the past/future
14
15
The central
theme
Possible recipient(s)
Love Our Country
President Xi
government officials
Beijing
the Great Wall
national anthem
Love the Community
Hong Kong
street cleaners
scavengers
trams
Love Our Family &
Friends
mum and dad
a friend
a late pet
a future family member
01
Identifying the focus, recipient(s) and SOW
(more creative options)
The central
theme
Possible recipient(s)
Love Myself
myself
my old or future self
past experiences
(blessings/sufferings)
Love Learning
a teacher
a book
a scientist
my school bag
alma mater
school library
Love Nature
planet Earth
staff members at the
Sichuan Giant Panda
Sanctuaries
an environmental group
endangered species
polar bears
Chinese White Dolphins
16
01
Identifying the focus, recipient(s) and SOW
(more creative options)
17
01
Identifying the focus, recipient(s) and SOW
The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.
By Leonardo da Vinci
Your turn!
Complete Part 1
of the writing plan.
After identifying the central theme and recipient(s), think of a Saying of
Wisdom (SOW) to echo the overarching theme and/or the sub-theme(s)
chosen.
18
Love Our
Country
1.
In love of home, the love of country has its rise. (Charles Dickens)
2.
I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that
his place will be proud of him. (Abraham Lincoln)
3.
He loves his country best who strives to make it best. (Robert G. Ingersoll)
Love the
Community
1.
No one has ever become poor by giving. (Anne Frank)
2.
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
(Mahatma
Gandhi)
3.
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow
men.
(Herman Melville)
Love Our
Family and
Friends
1.
Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light. (Helen
Keller)
2.
Love begins by taking care of the closest ones – the ones at home. (Mother Teresa)
3.
Friendship is a sheltering tree. (Samuel Taylor Coleridge)
Selected SOWs
Here are the 18 SOWs selected for the 6 sub-themes featured in the campaign:
19
Love
Myself
1.
The first wealth is health. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
2.
To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance. (Oscar Wilde)
3.
Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. (George Bernard
Shaw)
Love
Learning
1.
Try to learn something about everything and everything about something. (Aldous
Leonard Huxley)
2.
I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious. (Albert Einstein)
3.
The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding. (Leonardo da Vinci)
Love
Nature
1.
If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere. (Vincent van Gogh)
2.
The richness I achieve comes from nature, the source of my inspiration.
(Claude
Monet)
3.
To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most
perfect
refreshment. (Jane Austen)
After identifying the focus, recipient(s) and SOW, you may use the
following 3 strategies to generate ideas and present your love.
02
Generating idea(s) & Enriching the content
1. Recounting memorable experiences you
had with the recipient(s)
What were the memorable moments or experiences
you shared with the recipient(s)?
How did you feel? What made it memorable?
3. Making commitment & expressing hope
and good wishes for your recipient(s)
What promises/commitments will you make to
your recipient(s)?
What wish(es) do you have for the recipient(s)?
20
2. Reflecting on the recipients’ influence and
impact on your life
How did the recipient(s) change your life?
What qualities or characteristics of the recipient(s) do
you admire?
Dear Ding Ding,
The trip back to granny’s tonight reminded me of our fond memories. I couldn’t help taking
a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude and respect for your dedication of service
and contribution to heritage preservation.
I still remember the good old days when I lived in Sheung Wan. You were a reliable friend
carrying me to school on time. I always sat near the windows in the front row on the upper
deck. Mum would sit next to me. I can still recall the feeling of the wind brushing my face
and the noise of the neighbourhood. The rides with you were precious childhood memories.
For over a century, you have been running between the east and the west of Hong Kong
Island, offering the most affordable and greenest public transport to citizens from all
walks of life. Your dedication of service and contribution to heritage preservation have also
inspired me to serve at school and in the community. To honour you, I’ve recently
volunteered at a community centre and organised an activity to take some newly-arrived
children on a tram ride to let them experience Hong Kong life and the vibe of the city. As
the saying goes, “the best way to find yourself is to lose y ourself in the service of others”.
Sitting on the upper deck on a tram to feel the dynamics of Hong Kong is my favourite
pastime. I enjoy the massage by breezes while watching the stories of citizens at different
corners of Hong Kong. Because of you, I have learnt to slow down and appreciate the
beauty and culture of our place. I hope you will not be phased out in the rapid changing city.
I want to witness the growth of our home and the changing scenery with you. To continue
your legacy, I promise to cherish the disappearing heritage in our city which carries
collective memories of several generations.
Thank you for being an important part of our collective memories and your dedication is
truly admirable.
Love,
Tommy
21
Recounting memorable
experiences you had with
the recipient(s)
Reflecting on the recipients’
influence and impact on
your life
Making commitment &
expressing hope and good
wishes for your recipient(s)
02
22
Standing on the Great Wall made me feel proud, and the breathtaking views
blew my mind. Walking along the paths made of ancient stones and touring
around the watchtowers, I couldn’t help but marvel at how you protected our
ancestors. You’ve been standing still alone guarding the territory of our
country safe for years. Your legs may ache but you never complain. The
unforgettable trip not only strengthens my national pride but also inspires me
to protect my country. Thank you for your sacrifice.
Generating idea(s) & Enriching the content
Strategy 1: Recounting memorable experiences
you had with the recipient(s)
Central theme:
Love Our Country
Greeting: Dear the Great Wall
02
Generating idea(s) & Enriching the content
Strategy 2: Reflecting on the recipients’
influence and impact on your life
Central theme:
Love Learning
Greeting: Dear school library
23
You are an integral part of my school life. You opened my eyes by allowing me
to explore the sea of knowledge. Diving into the worlds of literary classics and
walking through the lives of scientists made every one of my days. The wide
variety of resources available have nurtured me into a lifelong learner, an avid
reader and an eager explorer. What’s more, you lent me a hand during exam
time. The silent, reading-friendly environment you provided helped me focus
and made my revision more effective.
02
Generating idea(s) & Enriching the content
Strategy 3: Making commitment & expressing
hope and good wishes for your recipient(s)
Central theme:
Love the Community
Greeting: Dear Ding Ding (trams)
I hope you will not be phased out in the rapid changing city. I want to
witness the growth of our home and the changing scenery with you.
To continue your legacy, I promise to cherish the disappearing
heritage in our city which carries collective memories of several
generations.
Your turn!
Complete Part 2
of the writing plan.
24
25
Organising the content systematically
Greeting
Body
e.g. Relationship between
the recipient(s) and you
Reflection on the
recipient(s)’ impact(s) on
your life
Saying of Wisdom
(SOW)
Closing and
writer’s name
Opening
e.g. Source of inspiration
Purpose of writing
Ending
e.g. Expression of
gratitude and wishes
03
Dear Ding Ding,
The trip back to granny’s toni ght reminded me of our fond m emories. I couldn’t help taking a
moment to express my heartfelt gratitude and respect for your dedication of service and
contribution to heritage preservation.
I still remember the good old days when I lived in Sheung Wan. You were a reliable friend carrying
me to school on time. I always sat near the windows in the fr ont row on the upper deck. Mum
would sit next to me. I can still recall the feeling of the wind brushing my face and the n oise of
the neighbourhood. The rides with you were precious childhood memories.
For over a century, you have been running between the east and the west of Hong Kong Island,
offering the most affordable and greenest public transport to citizens from all walks of life. Your
dedication of service and contribution to herita ge preservation have also inspired me to serve
at school and in the community. To hon our you, I’ve recently volunteered at a community centre
and organised an activity to take some newly-arrived children on a tram ride to let them
experience Hong Kong life and the vibe of the city. As the saying goes, “the best way to find
yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”.
Sitting on the upper deck on a tram to feel t he dynamics of Hong Kong is my favourite pastime.
I enjoy the massage by breezes while watching the stories of citizens at different corners of
Hong Kong. Because of you, I have learnt to slow down and appreciate the beauty and culture of
our place. I hope you will not be phased out in the rapid changing city. I want to witness the
growth of our home and the changing scenery with you. To continue your legacy, I promise to
cherish the disappearing heritage in our city which carries collective memories of severa l
generations.
Thank you for being an important part of our collective memories and your dedication is truly
admirable.
Love,
Tommy
How to Present a Love Letter
Effectively?
26
How to Present a Love Letter Effectively?
Tip #1 – Writing with a heartfelt tone
Tip #2 – Using quotes (e.g. SOW)
Tip #3 – Enhancing emotional appeal with creative use of English
Tip #4 – Varying language patterns
Tip #5 – Utilising visual aids
27
Below are several tips to articulate love in a more personal,
bespoke and effective manner.
Tip #1 – Writing with a heartfelt tone
28
A love letter is written to express affection, admiration and other
emotions you have for your recipient(s). It is important to create
a sincere, warm and heartfelt tone. You may want to:
address yourself and your recipient(s) with personal
pronouns “I” and “you” to add a personal touch
keep your sentences simple and short to sound friendlier and
less formal
Tip #2 – Using quotes (e.g. SOW)
Quotes can be an insightful sentence said or written by famous persons. Sayings of
Wisdom are quotes promoting positive values and attitudes. (Refer to Slides 18-19 for
the selected SOWs for the Campaign.)
Quotes can be placed in different parts of the letter for different purposes and effects:
Organisation
Purpose(s) & Effect(s)
Opening
frame the letter with a key message and offer an overview
Body
enhance the reflection
illustrate the relationship between the recipient(s) and you and their
impact(s) on your life
resonate and connect with the target audience
Ending
end the letter strong with a takeaway
29
Tip #2 – Using quotes (e.g. SOW)
30
Theme:
Love Our Family and Friends
Greeting:
Dear Thomas (my friend)
SOW: Friendship is a sheltering tree.
Examples:
Opening
:
(1
) Have you ever heard of a
saying,
“friendship
is a sheltering tree”? You
have
always
been my sheltering tree and I
decide
to
write this letter to thank you.
Ending
:
(2
) “Friendship is a sheltering tree.” I want
to
end
my letter by thanking you for y
our
unconditional
care, support and love,
which
made
me who I am today.
Theme:
Love Nature
Greeting:
Dear nature
SOW:
Nature
always wears the colours of the
spirit.
Examples:
Body
:
(1
) Ralph Emerson once said, “nature
always
wears
the colours of the spirit.” The
greenery
you
provide always reminds me of
the
beauty
of life when I am down.
(2
) You always cheer me up with the
vibrant
colour
when I am down. As the saying
goes,
“nature
always wears the colours of the
spirit.”
Tip #3 – Enhancing emotional appeal with creative
use of English
Creative use of English
enhances emotional appeal of
the love letter. Let’s explore
how some literary devices and
sensory language help with
the delivery.
Similes &
metaphors
Parallelism
Sensory
language
Personification
31
Comparing one thing
to another using ‘like’
or ‘as’ explicitly.
Similes
visualising abstract ideas
creating a memorable
impression
32
Theme:
Love Our Country
Greeting:
Dear Motherland
Example:
You
are like a majestic dragon soaring
through
the
sky. You continue to bring us to
new
heights
in the pursuit of better livelihood
and
prosperity
. I cannot thank you enough.
Theme:
Love the Community
Greeting:
Dear respected street cleaners
Example:
You
are as important as machine parts in
a
sophisticated
engine. Without anyone of
you
keeping
our community clean and tidy,
we
would
not have a comfortable and
hygienic
neighbourhood
.
Theme:
Love Myself
Greeting:
Dear future me
Example:
Life
is a race full of unknowns. Some
are
blessings
whereas others challenges.
Thank
you
for persisting and enduring all
the
hardships
all along. You’ve done so well. I’m
so
proud
of you.
Equating two
things based on
common/shared
features, usually
using “to be”.
visualising abstract ideas
providing richer and
more vivid description
33
Theme:
Love Our Country
Greeting:
Dear government officials
Example:
The
country is a train. The leadership of
the
government
is the engine which brings
about
changes
and progress to those on board.
Metaphors
Repeating phrases,
clauses or sentences
using a similar
structure.
linking related ideas and
emphasising the
relationships in between
34
Theme:
Love Nature
Greeting:
Dear polar bears
Example:
I
apologise wholeheartedly to you and
your
family
. I’m sorry that your home is
melting,
your
body is aching and your population
is
dwindling
because of us.
Theme:
Love Our Family and Friends
Greeting:
Dear mum
Example:
It
is you who always welcomes me with
your
warmest
smile. It is you who always
comforts
me
with a bowl of hot soup. It is you
who
always
supports me with your unlimited
love
and
care. You are the wind under my wings.
Parallelism
35
Personification
Giving human
characteristics to
non-living things
such as animals
and objects.
crafting a vivid image of
the object being
described
Theme:
Love Our Country
Greeting:
Dear the Great Wall
Example:
You’ve
been standing still alone guarding
the
territory
of our country safe for years. Your
legs
may
ache but you never complain. Thank
you
for
your sacrifice.
Theme:
Love Learning
Greeting:
Dear school bag
Example:
You
don’t just carry my books and
belongings,
you
also carry my burden and worries.
Never
have
I realised how much I enjoy learning
and
you
have been there accompanying me.
36
Sensory
language
Describing things
using vivid words
related to the five
senses.
crafting a vivid imagery
enhancing emotional
appeal
Theme:
Love Our Family and Friends
Greeting:
Dear grandma
Example:
I
still remember our weekend routine.
Chicken
with
aromatic ginger and scallion sauce
was
a
luxury but a must-have on our
colourful
dining
table .. Right after the knife
banged
against
the cutting board , you would
always
offer
the nicest and juiciest part – the
chicken
leg
to me. I always rejected because
the
greasy
yellow skin was never my cup of
tea.
Yet,
your love was well received.
Theme:
Love Learning
Greeting:
Dear alma mater
Example:
Leaning
on the rails overlooking the
three
basketball
courts we were very proud of,
I
heard
the squeak of rubber soles, the swish
of
the
net and the clank of the rim,
usually
followed
by sighs or cheers . Thanks
for
providing
us space and chances to unleash
our
potentials
and embrace our dreams.
Emphatic structures
Tip #4 – Varying language patterns
Conditionals
Rhetorical questionsSubjunctive mood
37
Rhetorical questions
We can use rhetorical
questions to stimulate
thoughts, emphasise a
point and hook the
readers’ interest.
38
Theme:
Love the Community
Greeting:
Dear Mr Firemen
Example:
How
can I reward the hard work you have done
and
sacrifice
you have made for safeguarding our lives?
Theme:
Love Our Family and Friends
Greeting:
Dear dad
Example:
Don't
you feel exhausted from my emotional
swings?
How
did you manage to calm me down and offer
the
most
needed comfort and advice all the time?
Emphatic structures
We can use emphatic
structures to put
emphasis on and extend
the emotional appeal of a
certain idea, point or
word. They include the
use of “so”, “such” and
inversion.
Theme:
Love Myself
Greeting:
Dear future me
Example:
You’ve
done so well. I’m so proud of you. You've been
so
tough
that you survived all challenges. You’ve proven
to
yourself
that you’re such a persevering person.
You
should
be proud. Keep the spirit up.
Theme:
Love Nature
Greeting: Dear Chinese White Dolphins
Example:
We
live on the same planet. Never should we
sacrifice
your
needs for our own benefit.
39
Conditionals
• We can use Type 3
conditional to speculate
past events and express
an imagined outcome
contrary to reality.
• In a love letter, we may
use this conditional to
express our gratitude.
40
Theme:
Love Learning
Greeting:
Ms Chan (my English teacher)
Example:
If
you had not encouraged and supported me, I
would
not
have won the public speaking competition.
Theme:
Love Nature
Greeting:
Dear staff members at
the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries
Example:
If
you had not put in such efforts in conserving the
giant
pandas,
the species would have been extinct.
Subjunctive mood
We can use the subjunctive mood to talk
about hypothetical situations and
outcomes or express wishes unlikely to
happen.
41
Theme:
Love Myself
Greeting:
Dear future me
Example:
I
wish you lived a life with no regret when
you
read
this letter. Life is full of opportunities.
I
believe
you made the best decisions with
the
given
conditions. Be grateful for what you
have
achieved
is way more beneficial
than
condemning
yourself.
Theme:
Love Learning
Greeting:
Dear school
Example:
My
favourite place, the school library,
has
been
closed for more than 3 months
for
renovation
. I wish I could visit it now but
I
know
it will reopen with a wider variety
of
books
and more space for us
after
renovation
.
Theme:
Love Our Family and Friends
Greeting:
Dear Bobby (a late pet)
Example:
The
time we spent with each other
was
scarce
. I wish I had spent more
quality
time
with you.
Your turn!
Complete Part 3
of the writing plan.
Tip #5 – Utilising visual aids
Visual aids can be a powerful tool to
facilitate expression of ideas and
emotions. Through artwork in
various forms, we can:
recall shared memories and
create resonance;
summarise the key message(s) in
the letter; and
enhance understanding
Your artwork must be original.
42
Reminders
43
Deadline
8
March 2024 (Friday)
Requirements
The
submission should include:
a completed Entry Submission Form and a word count;
a letter (with a Saying of Wisdom as part of the content); and
a piece of 2D artwork (as a visual representation of the key message(s) of
the
letter)
For more
information
The soft copy of the
Entry Submission Form and the
Entry Cover Page
can be accessed
here or on the webpage:
http://www.edb.gov.hk/sow_letter_writing
.
Content
Start with a clear greeting showing the recipient(s)
Opening: State the source of inspiration and/or
purpose of writing clearly
Body: Explain the special relationship you had with
the recipient(s) effectively
Strategy 1: Recounting memorable experiences
you had with the recipient(s)
Strategy 2: Reflecting on the recipients’
influence and impact on your life
Strategy 3: Making commitment & expressing
hope and good wishes for your recipient(s)
Ending: Express your gratitude and good wishes to
your recipient(s)
Include a Saying of Wisdom
Sign off with a closing and your name
A checklist for your submission
44
Language
Writing with a heartfelt tone
Use quotes (e.g. SOW)
Include creative use of English (e.g. similes and
metaphors, parallelism, personification & sensory
language)
Use varied language patterns (e.g. rhetorical
questions, emphatic structures, conditionals &
subjunctive mood)
Organisation
Organise the letter systematically
Visual aids
Include a piece of 2D artwork to present key
message(s) in the letter visually
