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Writing a Formal Letter

The document provides guidelines for writing formal and informal letters, emphasizing the importance of format, clarity, and appropriate language. It outlines the characteristics of both types of letters, including their purposes, layouts, and styles. Additionally, it offers useful phrases for starting, requesting, suggesting, and ending letters, along with questions to consider before finalizing a letter.

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Kotrobel Naghmouchi
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3 views12 pages

Writing a Formal Letter

The document provides guidelines for writing formal and informal letters, emphasizing the importance of format, clarity, and appropriate language. It outlines the characteristics of both types of letters, including their purposes, layouts, and styles. Additionally, it offers useful phrases for starting, requesting, suggesting, and ending letters, along with questions to consider before finalizing a letter.

Uploaded by

Kotrobel Naghmouchi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Writing a formal letter

Grade 10

Ms. Kotrobel Naghmouchi


WRITING A FORMAL LETTER

WHAT IS A FORMAL LETTER?

A formal letter is any letter written in the professional


language, with a prescribed format for a formal
purpose, i.e. It can be a recommendation letter,
enquiry letter, complaint letter, cover letter and
business letters, formal invitation, or a job application
letter.
While writing a formal letter one should keep
in mind the following things:


It should be in specified format.


It should avoid the use of unnecessary words.


It should be straight to the point.


It should be relevant and objective.


It should be complex and thorough.


It should be polite, even if it is a complaint letter.


It should be free from any mistakes, i.e. grammatical or spelling.
WRITING AN INFORMAL LETTER/E-MAIL

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN INFORMAL LETTER

1- PURPOSE

2- FORMAT / LAYOUT

3- STYLE & LANGUAGE


WRITING AN INFORMAL LETTER/E-MAIL

1- Purpose
- Complaining to a bank, store, airline
- Enquiry
- Application for a job
- Requesting information from a company
- Making a recommendation/suggestion
WRITING AN INFORMAL LETTER/E-MAIL

2- FORMAT / LAYOUT
WRITING AN INFORMAL LETTER/E-MAIL

3- STYLE & LANGUAGE


Formal and mature expressions; Complex – Longer sentences are likely to be more
prevalent in formal writing. You need to be as thorough as possible with your approach to each
topic when you are using a formal style. Each main point needs to be introduced, elaborated
and concluded.

Objective – State main points confidently and offer full support arguments. A formal writing
style shows a limited range of emotions and avoids emotive punctuation such as exclamation
points, ellipsis, etc., unless they are being cited from another source.

Full Words – No contractions should be used to simplify words (in other words use "It is"
rather than "It's"). No abbreviations. No use colloquialism. Acronyms can only be used
when it is better known than the full name (BBC, ITV or NATO for example).
Planning a Formal Letter

 Paragraph 1- Say why you are writing to them. (I am


writing with regard to…)
 Paragraph 2- Bullet point 1 and supporting details
 Paragraph 3- Bullet point 2 and supporting details
 Paragraph 4- Bullet point 3 and supporting details
 I look forward to hearing from you.
 Yours faithfully
 [Your Full Name]
Useful Language

Beginning
 I am writing this letter with regard to…
 I am writing to bring to your attention…
 I am writing to inform you that…
 I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…..
Requests and Suggestions

 I would be grateful if you would…


 I would like you to…
 I am entitled to request that you….
 I was wondering if it would be at all possible to….
 I would like to suggest that…
Ending

 I look forward to hearing from you.


 I look forward to receiving your response.
 I await your prompt service.
 I thank you for your consideration.
 Please respond at the earliest convenience.
Here are some questions you
should ask yourself when writing a
letter
1. Have I read and understood the instructions?
2. Is it a formal or informal letter?
3. Have I made a plan?
4. Have I included both the reason for writing and the bullet points?
5. Have I supported each bullet point with relevant details?
6. Have I used appropriate language?
7. Have I separated my letter into paragraphs?
8. Are my ideas clear and easy to understand?
9. Have I avoided copying and varied my vocabulary?
10. Have I checked my letter for grammar and spelling mistakes?

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