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- Writing letters: formal and personal
Writing letters: formal and personal
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Letters and emails are some of the most useful forms of writing you will ever learn. A formal letter follows clear conventions, while a personal letter can be relaxed and chatty.
Formal letter layout
Formal and personal
Formal: Standard English, no slang or contractions (do not instead of don't), polite and clear.
Personal: written to someone you know, so it can be warmer, chattier and use contractions. Sign off with 'Love,' 'Best wishes,' or 'See you soon,'.
Personal: written to someone you know, so it can be warmer, chattier and use contractions. Sign off with 'Love,' 'Best wishes,' or 'See you soon,'.
A strong opening line
Get to the point straight away:
'I am writing to ask whether our school could install a water fountain on the top floor.'
'I am writing to ask whether our school could install a water fountain on the top floor.'
You write to 'Dear Ms Okafor'. How should you sign off?
- You used her name in the greeting.
- Named greeting means 'Yours sincerely'.
- Then sign your name underneath.
Answer: Yours sincerely,
Formal letters: addresses, date, 'Dear...', clear paragraphs, Standard English, and 'Yours sincerely' (named) or 'Yours faithfully' (Sir or Madam). Personal letters can be warmer and more relaxed.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
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