Stranger Danger!
You were approached by a stranger on your way home from school yesterday. Write a letter to your friend in which you explain what happened. Explain the event in detail: where you were approached, what the stranger did, how you felt and what you did.
Practise this exact question with personalised feedback on your writing.
Understand the task
Retell the encounter to a friend in a convincing personal voice. Sequence where it happened, what the stranger did and the narrator’s actions without letting the letter become a generic safety essay.
- letter conventions
- narrative sequencing
- tone
- emotional clarity
Requirements to keep in mind
Write a letter to a friend about an approach by a stranger yesterday.
Plan your response
- Use a friendly letter opening and closing.
- Explain where the stranger approached you.
- Describe feelings without exaggerating.
- Show sensible steps to reach safety.
Check your response against the task requirements. Leave time to review sentence clarity, punctuation and spelling.
Original atoply example response
Written by atoply, not an official school answer or mark scheme. Other successful responses are possible.
Reveal example and teaching notes
Dear Sam,
You will never believe what happened to me on my way home from school yesterday! I was walking past the little parade of shops near the library when a man I did not recognise came towards me.
He was wearing a dark jacket and carrying a large shopping bag. He said he had lost his dog and asked me to follow him into the car park to help look for it. At first I felt sorry for him, but something did not seem right. The car park was almost empty, and I knew I should not go anywhere with somebody I did not know.
My heart was beating fast, although I tried to sound calm. I told him, “Sorry, I can’t help,” and walked straight into the library, where the librarian was at the desk. I explained what had happened and phoned Mum. She came to collect me and helped me report the incident to the appropriate adults.
I am fine now, but I was frightened at the time. I am glad I trusted my instincts and went somewhere safe rather than following him.
See you at school, Alex
Learn from the example
- The address and voice establish a relationship between writer and recipient. That relationship should guide the level of formality and the details included.
- The response combines information with the writer's feelings or purpose. Develop each point in a way that suits the recipient rather than treating the letter as a general essay.