Contents

TIPS FOR TRANSACTIONAL WRITING ................................................................................................................ 2

FORMAL LETTERS: ............................................................................................................................................. 3
LETTER OF COMPLAINT ................................................................................................................................. 3
LETTER TO ASK FOR A DONATION................................................................................................................. 4
LETTER TO THE PRESS ................................................................................................................................... 5
LETTER OF APPLICATION ............................................................................................................................... 6
EULOGY ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Example of a Eulogy (1) ................................................................................................................................. 7
Example of a Eulogy (2) ................................................................................................................................. 8
EDITORIAL ......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Example of an editorial ............................................................................................................................... 10
E-MAIL ............................................................................................................................................................. 11
BLOG................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Example of a blog post (2)........................................................................................................................... 13
OPEN LETTER ................................................................................................................................................... 14
Example of an open letter........................................................................................................................... 14
SPEECHES ........................................................................................................................................................ 15
Example of a speech ................................................................................................................................... 15
TIPS FOR TRANSACTIONAL WRITING
You must learn the formats for transactional writing.

Unless otherwise stated, you do not have to be yourself. Remember that transactional writing is
creative, so you are allowed to embellish your experiences or adopt a different persona. When
adopting a different persona, write it into your piece so that the marker is aware of it. E.g.
• …as a Springbok netball player…
• …when I travelled to the Middle East with the UN Youth Envoy…
• …my experiences in science labs allowed me to…

Reference specific events (personal or current affairs) to lend your writing credibility. Specific
details add purpose to your writing, make it relatable and add sincerity. E.g.
• I went to my local Checkers to buy bread and milk when…
• When we are facing the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine, and the rising fuel
price…
• …unlike Will Smith, I don’t wake up and choose violence…
• Standing in the crowd and seeing the captain of Banyana Banyana lift the WAFCON
trophy…

You do not have to provide a word count for transactional writing, and counting words takes time,
so use block spacing to figure out how much space you need to fill in order to reach the word
count. How this works:
• Write the first three or four lines of your transactional writing piece.
• Calculate the average number of words you write per line.
• Divide the required number of words for the transactional writing piece by the number of
words you write per line to know how many lines you will need to fill to reach the word
count.
• Count the number of lines (adding in a few extra for paragraphing purposes) and make a
pencil mark as your target. Do this for both transactional writing pieces.
Note: it’s best not to work out the average number of words you write in a line when you are not in
an exam circumstance, as handwriting does tend to change when you are under pressure. If you
know that your handwriting is quite consistent, then you can calculate the number of lines needed
before you go into the exam.

Remember that the register and tone of your writing will be determined by the purpose, the
relationship between the writer and reader/recipient, and the format in which the piece must be
written.

Something to think about for exams:

Transactional writing is creative writing (which counts 40% of the paper!), and you might
not feel particularly creative after writing two literature essays. As you can answer the
questions in any order, consider starting with the transactional writing pieces, and aiming
to finish them in an hour. If you use your reading time wisely, then this is more than
doable.

2|Page
FORMAL LETTERS:
LETTER OF COMPLAINT

Luthuli Cottage
Your address. Remember to include the date. Mokgaotsi Road
Delft
7102
11 January 2009

The Manager
Their address. NB! Note that you must include who
The Complaints Department you are addressing. E.g. “The Manager”
Gellington’s Shoes
P. O. Box 1479
CAPE TOWN
Address the letter appropriately. If the person’s
8000
name is provided in the question, use it!
Dear Sir/Madam

Complaint about a pair of shoes Subject line to indicate focus. Underline it.

I bought a pair of shoes from the LUX Shoe Shop, in St George’s Mall on 27 December 2007. After wearing them
once, the heel broke off and I was left looking foolish on a dance floor.

Give all the necessary, relevant details.

Explain the inconvenience, nuisance-value, embarrassment etc.
Ask for improved service, ratification etc.
Show that you will not accept shoddy workmanship, poor products or service.
Explain clearly that it was not irresponsibility on your behalf that caused the heel to break.
Register: Reasonable but firm.

I should be grateful if you would attend to this matter as soon as possible and let me know what you advise me to
do. At the very least, I expect a refund.

Yours sincerely, Formal greeting.

______________ (signature) Signature AND name below it.

Ms K. P. Garies

TIPS:

• You must write to position person (The Manager/ The Liaison Officer / The Personnel Officer / The
Accountant / The Supervisor, etc.) so that you can even phone and ask to speak to a specific person.
Otherwise, nobody will accept responsibility.

• Give a subject line (underlined), so that the reader immediately knows what the letter is about.

• Give full details to make it easier for the company to trace your complaint and give all the important
details.

• I ‘should’ ... if you ‘would’ ... OR I ‘would’… if you ‘could’…

[SOURCE: adapted from WCED]

3|Page
LETTER TO ASK FOR A DONATION

26 Protea Road
Maydonkaai
4057
1 July 2009

The Manager
Special Store Pty Ltd
Merrivale Road
Merweville
6940

Dear Mr Mpho

Request for donation

Maydon Secondary School is holding a Music Festival to celebrate the opening of their new school building in
September this year. We know that this is an important occasion and that we shall have many important guests at
the event, including the new Director of Education.

We are approaching you for a donation because we know you have always been involved in the affairs of the
education in this area. Please know that we really appreciate all the efforts you have made on our behalf over the
years.

We would really be grateful if you could assist us with some percussion instruments or let us know where we can
acquire them. We also desperately need some material to use for making attractive costumes for the dancers and
singers.

We look forward to hearing from you. Please let us know whether you will be able to assist us.

Yours sincerely,

_________________ (signature)

Bongani Mgijama
Chairman: Fund-raising Committee)

TIPS:
• There should be NO errors in this letter! So, edit!
• ‘Pty’ and ‘Ltd’ do not have a full-stop after them!
• Road is written out in full, as is the date.
• The register should be polite, tactful and rhetorical.
• Explain what the occasion is, who will be there, why there is an occasion, how you will be celebrating,
where and when you will be holding the event.
• Explain why you are approaching this prospective donor.
• State exactly what it is you require and give the recipient of this letter a chance to get the donation or
products elsewhere, if at all possible.

[SOURCE: adapted from WCED]

4|Page
LETTER TO THE PRESS

2119 Zwelitsha Street

Zweletemba
6852
29 December 2009
The Editor
The People’s Voice
Box 222
Tshwane
0001

Dear Mrs Haffajee

Right, you are wrong!

‘Unfulfilled’ (Durban Times, 23 December 2007), has made a valid point that life is difficult, disappointing and
stressful. However, I believe there is a flip-side to this kind of attitude.

State the issue immediately and clearly.

Criticise another writer’s points, logically and calmly.
You may criticise, but be constructive.
Give your point of view rationally.
Let your letter be of value. Let it make a difference.
Clearly explain your reason / purpose for writing.
Be rational, calm and relevant to win the arguments.
Use relevant examples to support your viewpoint.
End with a challenge / question / memorable statement.
Your language and register should be acceptable.
Check the format.

Life happens moment to moment, but is fleeting. Surely we should all make a special effort to ensure that the time
we have on earth is well-spent, serving others, keeping our equilibrium and contributing to peace on earth. Despite
the attitude of ‘Unfulfilled’, I still admire her for expressing her views. It is the direction she has chosen which I find
disappointing.

Yours sincerely,
_________________ (signature)
Mrs C. L. High

TIPS:
• You send the letter to the editor, but not for him/her to react, advise, correct or promote particularly.
• Therefore, you use only the name of the editor, as you are not writing to the editor, but to the public.
• Your subject line should get to the heart of the matter. It should be crisp and striking.
• Briefly repeat what someone else has expressed and then offer your viewpoint.
• You can use a pseudonym, (nom-de-plume) at the end if you do not wish to have your name used BUT
must still supply your name. You should have the courage of your convictions to provide your name to
your views!
• Make sure that your words make a difference. Satire, used well, works wonders.

[SOURCE: adapted from WCED]

5|Page
LETTER OF APPLICATION

4 Primrose Street
Lwandle
7140
11 September 2009
The Manager
Peoples’ Project
P. O. Box 236
Katlehong
1431

Dear Sir

Application for the position of Educational Liaison Officer

I am applying for the position of Educational Liaison Officer as advertised in the Gauteng Gazette on 12 August
2008.

In support of my application, I include my CV and the names of two referees.

I am interested in this position as I have an educational background and feel that I can contribute to alleviating
the present problem in Katlehong. I can bring compassion, knowledge and insight to the project.

I would really appreciate being granted an interview. You can contact me on 021 845 9992 or 083 8642 3589.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

__________________ (signature)

Lungiswo Sandile

TIPS:
• Note the difference between: I am applying for the Secretary (X) AND I am applying for the
position of Secretary. (√)
• This is a short letter – you merely want to be granted an interview so that you can persuade the
company to hire YOU, without being too forceful.
• There should definitely be NO errors in THIS letter!
• Give details of where you saw the advertisement. This helps the company to gauge the success of their
advertising.
• Provide an indication of why you would be a suitable candidate for the job.

[SOURCE: adapted from WCED]

6|Page
EULOGY
Definition: a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly, especially a tribute to
someone who has just died

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A EULOGY:

• Significant dates in the person’s life
• Important places in their life, such as where they were born, went to school, lived, served in
the military or beloved places they travelled to.
• Names of significant people in their life, such as spouses, children, grandchildren, siblings,
parents and close friends or co-workers.
• Highlights in their life that were meaningful to them and those who knew them. This could
be when they achieved an important work-related goal, or did something that made them
particularly happy or proud, such a sports, charity or hobby-related awards.
• If the person had any favourite sayings, you might want to include those if they are short.
[SOURCE: https://dying.lovetoknow.com/examples-tributes-given-at-funerals/what-information-should-be-included-eulogy]

Example of a Eulogy (1)

At the age of 85, Mr William (Billy) Buckland, was still at his shop selling toys. He retired two years ago, and
died yesterday after a short illness.

He began his life in business as an assistant in Brookes Toys as a messenger boy. His eldest son, John (60), told
that in between making tea and delivering post, he sold toys. The manager was so impressed that he was
promoted within two weeks to salesman, and a year later to floor manager.

“He loved children and he loved toys,” said Marion, his wife of 55 years. “I think he never really grew up!” she
quipped. This was how he was perceived as a child – someone with a good sense of humour and a mischievous
spirit, always smiling and helpful.

At the age of thirty he bought the shop he had started at as a messenger and built it into the thriving business
it now is. This sense of dedication and diligence was a shining example to all those around him.

Generations of children will miss his cheerfulness and understanding. He had a magical ability to match the right
toy to the right child. His own children looked after him well as he taught them how to look after a parent,
looking after his own parents until they died in his home.

Marion, our warmest wishes go with you. We know that Bill is at peace now and that you will be supported by
your wonderful family: three sons and their wives and six grandchildren!

TIPS:
• Included should be incidents and anecdotes about the deceased, and personal memories of family and
friends. The reader must be able to form a clear mental picture of the deceased.
• Avoid sentimentality and euphemism. ‘Dying’ is acceptable.
• Offer some comfort to the family that are present.

[SOURCE: adapted from WCED]

7|Page
 NB! Eulogies are not always serious. They can be satirical too, in order to provide insight and
commentary into current affairs.

Example of a Eulogy (2)

Eulogy for America
By Megan AmramMay 25, 2017

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to say our goodbyes to our dear friend America, who died recently after
a brief, intense battle with fascism and a long, slow battle with carbs. Thank you all for coming out to help say
farewell. It's not easy. But at least America died doing what it loved most: deep-frying Halloween candy while white
men tried to explain to women what jazz is.

America was sick for a really long time. In the early stages, I think we were all in denial. You could tell that America
was unwell—public displays of brutality, deeply internalized prejudice, "Entourage"—but it seemed curable. Just a
case of plain old electile dysfunction. We thought that we'd caught the fascism early, but, as we now know, it had
metastasized. America was more Florida than country by the end.

America was born right here, in America, and lived here its entire life. America was always about family. It is survived
by its similarly ill father, Britain, and its large brood of children: baseball, Google, fireworks, losing your fingers to
fireworks, giving your Uber driver only four stars because he talked to you, thinking granola is healthy, Chicago (the
place), "Chicago" (the musical), "Chicago" (the movie adaptation of the musical), Chicago (the band), "Chicago Fire,"
"Chicago Med," "Chicago P.D.," "Chicago Justice," "Chicago 'Chicago' " (a show about the Chicago production of the
musical "Chicago," coming to NBC this fall), and a bunch of wars.

I'd personally be nowhere without America. America was there when I was born, when I got married, when I saw
Janet Jackson's nipple at the Super Bowl. Remember that? After that happened, none of us slept for days, because
we had never seen the pointy part of a boob on our TVs before, and it really upset us. America was really cool that
way. It would always get mad when you'd see the pointy part of a boob on a TV. I'm gonna miss that.

However, we should not dwell on the loss of our dear country, friend, and place where all the Cheesecake Factories
and Lids stores are. Today, let's celebrate America's life, and remember all of the remarkable things it accomplished
and how many actors playing Spider-Man who keep getting cuter and younger were inside of it. America gave us so
much. And, boy, did it look good for its age. America was two hundred and forty-one years old when it died, but it
didn't look a day over a hundred and sixty-four! It looked so young, it could've been the very same America that put
its own citizens in internment camps!

America got a bunch of things really right. Mostly how to put food inside other food. Anyone can just eat a chicken.
But in a duck?! In a turkey?! In a gun?! No one is going to forget the Turduckenun any time soon. America was so
inventive that way. And, I mean, everyone does silly stuff when they're young. America was beautiful, too. Sure, it
was a little lumpy, and you could always see its Florida through its pants, but it just got hotter with age. So hot. It
was so, so hot by the time it died. Almost too hot to live in.

If there's anything we should take away from this tragedy, it's that you should always check yourself for fascism,
especially around your midsection. It's easy enough to do in the shower. If you catch it early, it can be cleared up
with a rigorous regimen of local elections and books and yoga. But America was cocky. Nothing bad had ever
happened to it before! It assumed this fascism would pass, just like the Second World War and "Entourage" had.

What a shame. America was just the best damn country in the whole U.S.A. I'm sorry that I'm getting choked up. I
get really emotional when I think of America, and also I took too big of a bite of Turduckenun and it got lodged in my
windpipe. We will all miss America greatly. Every time I see an American flag or a gun, I'll think of America. But we
can all rest easy knowing America is in a better place now: Russia.
[SOURCE: https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/eulogy-for-america]

8|Page
EDITORIAL
An editorial is an article written by or under the direction of the editor of a newspaper or magazine, or a
statement broadcast on radio or television. Editorials give opinions on important social, political, economic,
or legal issues of the day and intend to persuade readers to agree to a particular point of view.

Editorials reflect the views of the owners, managers or board of directors of media companies. Editorials of
major papers are often viewed by readers in terms of their positioning as right (conservative), centre (liberal),
or left (socialist) on the political spectrum. Furthermore, editorials usually do not shy from controversy, in the
hope of not only presenting the issues to the reading public, but also of drawing response from the public
and attracting new readership in the competitive marketplace.

Editorial Structure

An editorial is similar to an essay in that it focuses on a specific issue or topic, offers a thesis, and provides
evidence and supporting arguments to convince its readers. The title clearly identifies the topic; the
introductory statement includes the writer’s view on the issue; the body provides supporting evidence and
examples; and the conclusion restates the writer’s view and provides a final appeal for the reader to agree
to that view.

Suggestions for Students Planning the Editorial:

• Decide what issue you will write about and clearly define the issue.
• Consider who your intended audience will be (for example, it may be the general readership, or it may be
directed at those who hold a particular view that may or may not already have been expressed in the media
or other public forum).
• Brainstorm a variety of strategies you can use to gain reader support for your view on the issue. These
might include acknowledgement of the reader’s current viewpoint, listing benefits of the view you are
promoting, providing reliable evidence, and using of sound reasoning.
• Develop logical and ethical arguments; avoid purely emotional rhetoric.
• Conduct necessary research both to gather information about the audience you are writing for, and to collect
evidence, examples, and support for the view you are promoting.
• Develop an outline to follow before you begin writing.
[SOURCE: http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/socstud/frame_found_sr2/tns/tn-26.pdf]

An editorial has a powerful, eye-catching headline.

The introductory paragraph introduces and summarises the editor's standpoint on the issue.

The body consists of strong arguments or evidence that supports this point of view.

The level of language depends on the audience, but it is generally formal.

Sentence structures may vary.

Qualifying words are used to clarify the argument e.g. firstly, lastly, thus, in conjunction with and
consequently.

The conclusion sums up the argument and may make recommendations.

NB! Newspaper editorials and magazine editorials differ significantly. A newspaper editorial will always
address what is newsworthy, current and controversial.

A magazine editorial will often be the editor’s personal response to the focus of that particular issue of the
magazine. A magazine also includes references to articles which appear in the magazine, along with
page numbers.

9|Page
Example of an editorial

In the United States they call it “disaster capitalism”: profiting when things fall apart, especially when the victims are
poor and can’t sue. Big companies — which have paid to get politicians their seats — call in those favours and get
contracts to fix things when natural disasters strike. Think New Orleans and Puerto Rico after their hurricanes.
In South Africa, we love a good metaphor. Corruption is people thinking with their stomachs, so we call it “chowing”.
Anyone who works around government uses this metaphor.
Regarding sewage treatment, the model at play looks exactly like disaster capitalism.
It starts with a wastewater treatment plant, which takes waste from baths and toilets and treats it. The water that is
released into rivers should be clean enough to drink.
We have 824 of these plants, mostly run by municipalities. They aren’t maintained; that budget is taken up by corrupt
officials and huge salaries. There are no engineers at municipalities outside the big metros, so the plants grind to a halt
— literally: faeces solidify in the plant and the pipes that supply it. We know this because we have seen it at dozens of
plants across the country.
The sewage bypasses more than 700 plants and eventually runs into the rivers.
People protest. They know that sewage is flowing past their homes on the way to the rivers because of corruption.
Sometimes that gets media attention.
A minister or local bigwig calls in contractors to do emergency fixes. Friends and supporters get contracts. Sometimes
they do a good job. Often they don’t.
The last information from the water and sanitation department noted 16 emergency interventions in 2016, at a cost of
nearly R200-million.
As a source put it: “If you can chow when things are burning, why fix them?”
This is a vicious cycle that benefits politicians and those to whom they give patronage. It ignores everyone else. This
must change.
Sewage is infrastructure. Infrastructure requires a lot of planning and takes a long time to build. When things go
wrong it isn’t an accident. Someone has decided to let that happen.
We only seem to display righteous rage when people die in numbers, such as when children keep dying from
diarrhoea in Bloemhof. But sewage flowing into rivers kills people, all the time. It just isn’t recorded as a death from
sewage.
We need to change the language we use. Allowing a wastewater treatment plant to break down — because of
negligence or direct action — must be treated as murder. Delaying the construction of a water treatment plant or water
scheme to profit friends is murder. Each one of these actions kills people.
The motto of the department of water and sanitation is, “Water is life. Sanitation is dignity.” They must act to make
this true.
[SOURCE: https://mg.co.za/article/2018-08-24-00-call-corruption-by-its-name-murder]

10 | P a g e
E-MAIL
Person to whom the email is addressed.

Indicates other interested or relevant

TO: [email protected]
parties who will receive the email.
CC: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];

SUBJECT: Reunion Subject line indicates the topic of the email.

MESSAGE:
Dear Barbara Address the person directly.

Just to remind you about our reunion on 23 March 2008 in Windhoek, Namibia. I definitely need numbers now as
the Safari Company needs to finalise the contract. So, please send the signed form by the end of today!

Looking forward to seeing you all. Incidentally, I found Cecile – she has been in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and will
be back in time for the big bash!

Love, Formality of the ending depends on the content of the email.

Carla

TIPS:

• Emails should be practised on the computer to ensure that the user has a clear idea of the different
icons used for sending and receiving an email.
• CC: Here you fill in the email addresses of other people to whom you are sending the same message.
• The date will automatically appear on the email when it goes through to the addressee.
• The way you end off an email will depend on who you are sending it to. Be more formal if the email is
for business purposes.
[SOURCE: adapted from WCED]

11 | P a g e
BLOG Name of blog.

Date of blog post.

Title of blog post.

• A blog entry must include the NAME of the blog (“Genius”) and the name of the post (“Drake and
why rappers fall off after 5 years”) and the date of the post.
• Blogs are highly opinionated, but the opinions are supported by facts.
• As bloggers write to their followers, there is often an open-line of communication as there is a
chance for followers to respond by posting on the blog. (It is a good idea to include some responses
when writing a blog). See below:

[SOURCE: http://genius.com/a/drake-why-rappers-fall-off-after-5-years]

12 | P a g e
Example of a blog post (2)

[SOURCE: https://mashable.com/article/meghan-markle-car-door/?utm_cid=hp-r-1#DJEdORdS8aqS]

13 | P a g e
OPEN LETTER
• An open letter is written to a specific individual, group of individuals or company, but is posted in
a public space, such as in a newspaper or online.
• The letters are published for the public to read as the information contained within the letter is a
declaration by the person writing it – they also often want the world to know what their views and
opinions are (and they are more likely to get a response if the public is involved).
• When you are writing an open letter, remember that everyone will be able to read it in spite of to
whom it is addressed.
• NB! Because an open letter is published in a public space, it does not use an address or any
specific formatting other than the traditional greeting and closing in a letter: Dear Mr X,
Dear employees of Apple, Dear Curro Holdings
Yours sincerely,
Ms Y
• The publication in which the open letter is published, will impact on your chosen tone and
register. If you would like the marker to know in which publication the open letter appears, add a
disclaimer before the start of your letter, e.g.
*This open letter does not express the views of the editor or employees of Rolling Stone
Magazine.

Example of an open letter

Dear “Positive Vibes Only”
Look at you, you’re everywhere. You’re really having a minute. Inscribed on the moisture-wicking tank tops of upper-
class yoga practitioners; cropping up in the captions of Instagram wellness models; peppered into the mission
statements of for-profit organizations. You’re like the “I VOTED” sticker for people with privilege and unwavering
levels of serotonin, and here’s why I’m going to need you to die:
There are many things that the power of positive thought can’t band-aid let alone fix right now. Things like pervasive
social structural injustice, economic disparity, stagnant job markets, the prohibitive cost of healthcare, sexism,
Nazism, global warming, shuttering libraries, disappearing bees, diminished attention spans, endemic loneliness, the
opioid crisis, the misogyny of the president, recklessly armed citizens, the Kardashians, Oreo Thins, pre-teens eating
Tide Pods etc.
And YOU, a cognitive bias posturing as a catchphrase that’s screen-printed on every viable surface, aren’t doing jack
to solve any of it. You’re a passive little phrase engineered to move merch and you’re missing the dang point.
At best “Positive Vibes Only” sounds like a poorly branded free clinic. At worse, it makes disengaging from reality in
favour of wishful thinking a lifestyle aspiration, which in 2018 is just mother-effing dangerous. The semantics of
“PVO” doesn’t just pollute more tinder bios than I can swipe a thumb at, but far worse it rejects diversity of opinion
and experience from the Rightfully Sad. Depressed Folk. Marginalized Folk. Trying Folk. Folk who are navigating
tremendous amounts of suffering and trauma by grieving, raging, organizing and healing — and who require space
and conversations to do so.
What you do, “Positive Vibes Only,” is shame and exclude people who cannot happy-think their way out of their
realities. People who can’t hashtag their way out of systemic oppression, sexual assault, defaulting mortgages,
familial displacement, serious mood disorders, terminal illness and the like. What the world needs now is not
positive thinking — what the world needs now is disruptive, revolutionary thinking. And action. And that requires
getting sad, mad and organized.

So peace out, “Positive Vibes Only.” It ain’t all good and those of us seeking justice are not going to pretend
otherwise.
You’re not welcome.
— Ali O’Reilly
[SOURCE: https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/an-open-letter-to-the-phrase-positive-vibes-only]

14 | P a g e
SPEECHES
• The most important thing to consider before writing your speech, is who you will be
addressing and why. Read the instructions carefully to ensure you use the correct register
and tone.
• Your speech must have an effective introduction, in which you greet your audience E.g.
Good evening, Class of 2023
• Your speech must be logically structured, so be sure to link your ideas effectively.
• In a speech, your aim is to engage the audience, so it is best to make sure that you use
persuasive language techniques.
• Your speech must have a focused and clear conclusion.

Example of a speech
Climate activist Greta Thunberg, 16, addressed the U.N.'s Climate Action Summit in New York City on Monday. Here's
the full transcript of Thunberg's speech, beginning with her response to a question about the message she has for
world leaders.

My message is that we'll be watching you.

This is all wrong. I shouldn't be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. Yet you all come to
us young people for hope. How dare you! You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. And
yet I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the
beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How
dare you!

For more than 30 years, the science has been crystal clear. How dare you continue to look away and come here
saying that you're doing enough, when the politics and solutions needed are still nowhere in sight. You say you hear
us and that you understand the urgency. But no matter how sad and angry I am, I do not want to believe that.
Because if you really understood the situation and still kept on failing to act, then you would be evil. And that I
refuse to believe.

The popular idea of cutting our emissions in half in 10 years only gives us a 50% chance of staying below 1.5 degrees
[Celsius], and the risk of setting off irreversible chain reactions beyond human control. Fifty percent may be
acceptable to you. But those numbers do not include tipping points, most feedback loops, additional warming
hidden by toxic air pollution or the aspects of equity and climate justice. They also rely on my generation sucking
hundreds of billions of tons of your CO2 out of the air with technologies that barely exist. So a 50% risk is simply not
acceptable to us — we who have to live with the consequences. To have a 67% chance of staying below a 1.5
degrees global temperature rise – the best odds given by the [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] – the
world had 420 gigatons of CO2 left to emit back on Jan. 1st, 2018. Today that figure is already down to less than 350
gigatons.

How dare you pretend that this can be solved with just 'business as usual' and some technical solutions? With
today's emissions levels, that remaining CO2 budget will be entirely gone within less than 8 1/2 years. There will not
be any solutions or plans presented in line with these figures here today, because these numbers are too
uncomfortable. And you are still not mature enough to tell it like it is.

You are failing us. But the young people are starting to understand your betrayal. The eyes of all future generations
are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, I say: We will never forgive you. We will not let you get away with this.
Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up. And change is coming, whether you like it or
not.

Thank you.
[SOURCE: https://www.npr.org/2019/09/23/763452863/transcript-greta-thunbergs-speech-at-the-u-n-climate-action-summit]

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