64941 writing formal and informal letters guide

Writing Informal and Formal letters

Before Writing

-

make notes about what you want to say
Organize your notes
Make sure you are familiar with the layout of
informal/formal letters

Your address
Greeting

Name and address you
are writing to

Date

Your address
(may be omitted)

Greeting

Date

Body of the letter
Body of the letter
Goodbye
Signature

Goodbye
Signature
Name


Opening
Greetings
Goodbye

Informal Register
. Dear + first name

Neutral Register
. Dear + first name

Formal Register
. Dear + Sir/Sirs/Madam
Mr.
Mrs. + family name
Ms.

. Bye
.Cheers
. See you
. Love (…)

. Yours truly
. Kind Regards
. Best Wishes
. All the very best (…)

. Yours sincerely (if you know
the name of the person you are
writing to).
.Yours faithfully ( if you don’t
know the name).

. You may use (eg. I’m) . avoid abbreviations

. do not use abbreviations

After
Writing

Letter
Structure

Abbreviations
.1st paragraph: say why you are writing;
.Main body: divide it into paragraphs (use a paragraph for each idea; do not include
unnecessary information);
.Last paragraph: include closing remarks.

.Revise your letter: make sure your purpose is clear; make sure you have included all
your notes and avoid language errors, spelling mistakes or poor punctuation.