Formal and informal letters
LETTER WRITING1When writing letters decide if they are going to
beformalorinformalFORMAL
To people you dont know
To an organisation such as a bank or the council
Possibly letters of complaint or letters asking for
informationINFORMAL
To people you know such as friends or relatives
3AN INFORMAL LETTER
a letter to a friend or a member of a family
A FORMAL LETTER
- A letter to a business partner, college or any
professionals
LAYOUT OF A LETTER1. YOUR ADDRESS
2. THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PERSON TO WHOM YOU ARE
WRITING
3. THE DATE4. THE GREETING,
5. THE BODY OF THE LETTER (INTRODUCTION, MAIN PARTS,
CONCLUSION)
6. THE ENDING
7. YOUR SIGNATUREDO YOU KNOW HOW TO WRITE THE DATE?WRITE THE
DATE IN ENGLISH:
1.1.20136.4.2013 2.7.201323.10.2013
71st January January 1st
6th April April 6th2nd JulyJuly 2nd
23rd DecemberDecember 23rd
The greetingWhich greetings belong to formal or to informal
letters?Dear John,Dear Sir,Dear Mr. Smith,Dear Jane,Dear Madam,Dear
Sir or Madam,FORMAL LETTERSINFORMAL LETTERSThe greetingWhich
greetings belong to formal or to informal letters?FORMAL
LETTERSINFORMAL LETTERSDear Mr. Smith,
Dear John,
Dear Madam,
Dear Jane,
Dear Sir or Madam,Dear Sir,
Phrases for an Informal letterThanks for:- your letter- your
present- your invitation.
I hope you are well.It was good to see you last week.Could you
do something for me?
Phrases for a Formal letterI am writing to - inform you.- to
confirm our
I would like toCould you possibly .I would be grateful if you
could
I look forward to hearing from you.The endingWhich endings are
suitable for formal or informal letters?Love, PeterYours
sincerely,Best wishes,Kind regards,Yours faithfully,Yours,
JaneFORMAL LETTERSINFORMAL LETTERSThe endingWhich endings are
suitable for formal or informal letters?FORMAL LETTERSINFORMAL
LETTERSYours sincerely,Love, Peter
Yours faithfully,Best wishes,
Yours, Jane
Kind regards,
Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully
Yours faithfully,If you don't know the name of the person you're
writing to
Yours sincerely,If you know the name of the person you're
writing to
Formal words vs. Informal wordsInformal:help, because of, ask,
more, tell, facts, get, job, have, give, fix, ask for, needs, book,
check/prove
Formal:assistance, due to, enquire, further, inform,
information, obtain/receive, occupation, possess, provide, repair,
request, requirements, reserve, verifyWriting Informal Letters
Parts of an Informal LetterHeading
Greeting
Body
Closing
Signature
The HeadingThe heading can include your address and the date. In
casual, friendly letters your address is not necessary. 508
Bluebird StreetClarksville, OhioJanuary 5, 2004Heading
The greetingDear_________,The blank is for the name of the
person you are writing. After you write the person's name you put a
comma ( , ) . 508 Bluebird StreetClarksville, OhioJanuary 5,
2004GreetingDear Susan,
The BodyThe body of the letter is the information you are
writing in your letter. 508 Bluebird StreetClarksville, OhioJanuary
5, 2004BodyDear Susan, I hope you will be able to come and visit
next month. We are planning a special visit to the museum. My mom
will call your mom later this week to make all arrangements. Be
sure to bring your swimsuit when you come! Were planning an
afternoon trip to the lake.
The ClosingThe Closing: In the closing, the first word is
capitalized and you put a comma after the last word. Some examples
of closings are:Sincerely, Your friend, Love, Very truly yours,508
Bluebird StreetClarksville, OhioJanuary 5, 2004ClosingDear Susan, I
hope you will be able to come and visit next month. We are planning
a special visit to the museum. My mom will call your mom later this
week to make all arrangements. Be sure to bring your swimsuit when
you come! Were planning an afternoon trip to the lake.Your
friend,
Your SignatureThis is your name. It goes under the closing. 508
Bluebird StreetClarksville, OhioJanuary 5, 2004SignatureDear Susan,
I hope you will be able to come and visit next month. We are
planning a special visit to the museum. My mom will call your mom
later this week to make all arrangements. Be sure to bring your
swimsuit when you come! Were planning an afternoon trip to the
lake.Your friend,Allison
Use ideas on the next page to complete this letter.Thanks for
the invitation to your party on Friday.
Love,It was so nice to see you last week.
Ill be there at 8 oclock.
Dear Petr,
Ill bring some good red wine.
See you soon! Use ideas on the next page to complete this
letter.Your addressName and address of someone who you are writing
toDateDear Peter,
It was so nice to see you last week.Thanks for the invitation to
your party on Friday. Ill be there at 8 oclock. Ill bring some good
red wine. See you soon!
Love,Your nameWriting a formal letterOne side of the paper
only
Plan before you write
Keep it simple
45 Orange Close West Burnham West Yorkshire 23rd March 2000 The
Manager Barclay Building Society Long Street West Hartlepool
Dear Sir
Thank you for your letter dated 15th March.
I am afraid I cannot agree with your letter. I have studied my
bank statement and still cannot find the charges you say are
outstanding.
This is the third letter I have sent and if no action is taken
within the next five days I will contact my solicitor.
I hope this matter can be settled as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully Ann Angry 45 Orange Close West Burnham West
Yorkshire 23rd March 2000 The Manager Barclay Building Society Long
Street West Hartlepool
Dear Sir
Thank you for your letter dated 15th March.
I am afraid I cannot agree with your letter. I have studied my
bank statement and still cannot find the charges you say are
outstanding.
This is the third letter I have sent and if no action is taken
within the next five days I will contact my solicitor.
I hope this matter can be settled as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully (Ann Angry)ADDRESSES AND DATESpace for
signature but write or type your name clearly underneathWhen
writing formal lettersAlways
No commas outside the main body of the letter
Use short sentences and simple words
Use proper paragraphsNever
Use slang
Use jargonExercisesYou bought a second hand car for 700. It had
only been running for a week when the engine broke down. The garage
says it will cost over 400 to repair.
Write a letter:
to the garage where you bought the car asking for your money
back.
B) to your solicitor explaining what has happened and asking for
advice.
C) to a friend explaining what has happened.
