A letter of opinion can refer to any letter written that states an opinion; personal or professional. This could be sent to the editor of a magazine, disputing the content of an article (personal), or more formally sent by a professional realtor stating the value of a property (professional).
Lawyers are also often called upon to provide a letter of opinion, giving guidance on the law. For example if you wanted to sell fish over the internet, a lawyer may provide you a letter of opinion outlining the legality of the venture. This could later be used in legal disputes.
Dear Mr. Brugnoli,
As agreed in our previous correspondence, Rogan Real Estate are happy to provide this letter of opinion, appraising the property at 604 Hazy Abbey, Willacoochee, New York, 13307-7673.
After assessing the 30,000 square feet property, that was built in 1985, we have developed the opinion that it has a current market value of:
FIVE MILLION FOUR HUNDRED AND SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
$5,460,000
Dear Mr. Tyler,
RE: Legality of flying remote controlled model airplane.
This letter of opinion constitutes my professional opinion on the act of flying a radio controlled model airplane.
Regardless of the size or purpose of flying a radio controlled model airplane, under the law it is designated as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or Drone, meaning it is subject to all the same regulations as any other aircraft – manned, unmanned, commercial, or private.
This falls under the Federal Aviation Regulations, Title 14, and is explored in Advisory Circular 91-57.
What this means is that if you model airplane reaches 500 feet (entering airspace) you may be charged with a number of offences related to hazardous flying.
Likewise if you should wish to fly the plane along federally designated airways, you must get prior clearance from Air Traffic Control, and maintain real-time correspondence with them. In actuality you are unlikely to be granted permission.
I advise that if you wish to fly your plane recreationally you do so at altitudes below 500 feet and well away from airports or military bases.
Sincerely,
Earl Michelson
Attorney At Law
A letter of opinion to a newspaper or magazine editor, expresses a reader’s opinion. They are most commonly criticisms of an article or news story where the writer has asked for feedback. It is extremely important to remain professional when you are writing a letter of opinion. Far too often, the writers of these letters include rude comments and start to attack the writer of the article. If you want your opinion to be taken seriously, you need to state it in a calm, professional manner. Below is an example:
Dear Mr. Lagenfeld,
I recently read your column on the Toronto Maple Leafs. I am writing this letter to express my displeasure with the way you described their situation.
Sure, they are not doing as well as expected, but they are still in a transition year. Obviously, the Toronto fans expect them to win the Stanley Cup every year, but we all know that will not happen. I just think that you should have cut them a little slack. I am sure they are trying their best, and having another media member slinging mud at them is not going to help them win any games.
Sincerely,
Bob Jameison