Unit 10
Writing Exercise - Part 2
 
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Task theme:
Writing a Summary
In the course of our work, we sometimes need to write a an explanation of decisions made in our department or in a particular field of study. A letter whose purpose is to explain something often benefits from short, clear paragraphs. For that reason, the sample letter below is separated into parts rather than paragraphs.

Dear Staff,

Part 1 :  Tell why you are writing
I am writing to shed some light on the August 2006 decision of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to reclassify the status of Pluto from the ninth planet of our solar system to a dwarf planet.  All around the world, many people, long accustomed to believing nine planets comprised our solar system, are questioning why scientist have made the decision at this particular moment in history. Below is an explanation which purports to clarify the new criteria set for defining planets and resulting reasons for the decision to revise the status of Pluto.

Part 2: State why the decision was necessary (if relevant, also tell where and when the decision was made--and quote an expert about the necessity/importance of the decision)
Scientists attending the annual twenty-sixth meeting of the IAU in Prague, Czech Republic say that reclassifying Pluto was necessary in light of recent discoveries about bodies in our solar system and beyond.  The development of powerful new telescopes has allowed scientists to see more features of celestial bodies that would determine their status. Many new celestial bodies have been discovered with features similar to those of  Pluto.  According to Professor Arlin Grotts of Columbia University in New York, if Pluto had not been stripped of its "planet" status, then many more recently discovered celestial bodies whose orbits and mass resemble features of Pluto, would have had to be included as planets in our solar system.

Part 3: Give facts to indicate that the decision was not "easily made", but was a product of deliberation and consideration of many factors
After much debate, the experts have determined that Pluto does not meet all the requirements for the definition of a "planet", which is "a celestial body that is in orbit around the sun, has a rounded shape, and has a cleared neighborhood around its orbit." Pluto's orbit overlaps that of Neptune. As an icy body, it does not have  sufficient mass to be considered a planet.

The questioning of Pluto's status is not new.  For a number of years, many scientists have raised questions about it. Since the year 2000, the world-renowned Hayden Planetarium in New York City has not considered Pluto a planet.

According to the changed definition, there are now eight planets in our solar system --all named for the gods and goddesses of antiquity: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune --that meet all the criteria to be considered as "planets".

Part 4: Toward the end, add some non-controversial facts that enhance interest in the subject
Pluto, a planet discovered in 1930 and named for the mythological Roman god of the underworld, will henceforth be classified as a "dwarf planet".

Part 5:  Express the hope that the letter's explanation has helped to clarify the reasons for the decision. Offer suggestions for finding further information.
I hope the above explanation has offered some clarification of the IAU's decision. Any staff interested in exploring further should consult the Internet by searching with key words, "Pluto" and "IAU". 

                                                                                        Yours sincerely,

                                                                                        Celestial Star, Information Officer,

                                                                                        Space Affairs Unit

                                                                                         Arcadia Office

                                                                                        Arca, Arcadia

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Grammar Practice Unit One