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Letters: Compare Formal and Informal Letters

The document compares the key differences between formal and informal letters. It outlines that formal letters are used for business or professional purposes, have a standardized structure including date, address, salutation, opening paragraph, body, closing paragraph and signature. In contrast, informal letters are used for personal communication and have a more casual structure and language. The document provides examples of language used in salutations, openings and closings of both formal and informal letters. It also discusses differences in tone, size, purpose and format between the two letter types.

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Felicia Evangelyn
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93 views3 pages

Letters: Compare Formal and Informal Letters

The document compares the key differences between formal and informal letters. It outlines that formal letters are used for business or professional purposes, have a standardized structure including date, address, salutation, opening paragraph, body, closing paragraph and signature. In contrast, informal letters are used for personal communication and have a more casual structure and language. The document provides examples of language used in salutations, openings and closings of both formal and informal letters. It also discusses differences in tone, size, purpose and format between the two letter types.

Uploaded by

Felicia Evangelyn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Letters

Name : Felicia Evangelyn


Class/No : 12 MIPA 2 / 13

Compare formal and informal letters

Formal Letters Informal Letters


Social function business or professional purposes personal communication with friends
with a specific objective in mind or relatives

Structure - Place and date - Address of the recipient


- How is the layout?
- Address of the recipient - Date
- How is each paragraph
arranged? - Salutation - Greeting
- Opening paragraph - Introduction paragraph
- Body - Body
- Closing paragraph - Conclusion
- Closure - Signature
- Sign and name

Language use Formal language Informal Language


- Mention some example
for: salutation/opening
formula, opening Example : Example :
paragraph,closing Salutation → Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Salutation → Dear …
paragraph, closing formula Mr./Mrs. X Opening paragraph → We might begin
Opening paragraph → the tone of the by asking the recipient about their well
content should be direct, formal and being 9should be casual and comforting)
respectful Conclusion → sum up the reason for
Closure → Respectfully, Yours faithfully, writing this letter and say an affectionate
etc goodbye
Closure → Warm regards, Kind wishes,
etc

What is the difference between ‘yours faithfully’ and ‘yours sincerely’?


- ‘Yours sincerely’ is the complimentary close to use when you know the name and title of
the person you are writing to, while ‘Yours faithfully’ is the one to use when you do not
know the person’s name
- ‘Yours faithfully’ is used in business and other formal letters while ‘Yours sincerely’ is
used in friendly letters.

What are the differences between formal and informal writing (min 4)? Explain and
provide examples.
- Formal letters are written for official or professional communication, informal letters are
used for casual or personal communication.
- Formal letters are usually written in the third person, however, for business letters, first
person is used. On the contrary, informal letters are written in first, second and third
person.
- Formal letters are used for writing letters to business, i.e. partners, suppliers, customers,
clients, etc. , college or institute, employer, professionals, etc. As against this, we use
informal letters for writing letters to friends, relatives, acquaintances, etc.
- The size of a formal letter should be concise; that does not include irrelevant matters. In
contrast, the informal letter can be concise or large.
- A formal letter is one, written in formal language, in the stipulated format, for official
purpose. A letter is said to be informal when it is written in a friendly manner, to
someone you are familiar with.

Left : formal letter, right : informal letter

What information can you find in the job vacancy announcement (min 4)?
- Job title
- Job location
- Company and benefits
- Job requirements
- Job responsibilities
- Applying instructions

What do you write in the opening paragraph of an application letter?


Mention the job title for which we’re applying and where we saw the position posting. Include
our specific interest in the role and company so the reader knows this is not a generic
application letter. Briefly state the main experience or qualification we have that makes us a
good fit.
What do you write in the body paragraph(s) of an application letter?
Highlight our experience, qualifications and skills, positioned in a way that aligns with the
company’s goals and mission.

What do you write in the closing paragraph of an application letter?


Express our appreciation to the hiring manager for reviewing our letter and considering us for
the position. Use “Respectfully” or “Yours faithfully” to close the letter. The final line of the letter
should be our full name and signature.

Source(s) of your answers:


https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-formal-and-informal-letter.html
https://www.toppr.com/guides/english/writing/informal-letters/
https://perfectyourenglish.com/businessenglish/salutation.htm
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/business-letter-closing-examples
https://www.toppr.com/guides/english/writing/formal-letters/
http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-yours-sincerely-and-yours-
faithfully/
https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-formal-and-informal-letter.html
https://www.talentlyft.com/en/resources/what-is-job-advertisement
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-write-an-application-letter-for-a-job

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