1. Writing a Letter Formal letter Informal letter Summing up letters
Example of informal letter
Pen-friend letter
Thank you letters
Writing a postcard
Example of formal letter
Letter to an official

2. Formal Letter
When we write formal letters you write to someone you don’t know – you
should use a more formal style.
Write the recipient’s address (the person who you are writing to) at the top
left of the page.
Put your own address at the top right of the page.
After ‘Dear Sir/Madam,’ you may want to state the subject of your letter (the
reason why you are writing) before you start writing. You could write in capital
Letters and underline it (to make it stand out).
Don’t for get to add the date underneath the recipient’s address.
Use phrases such as ‘I would’ and ‘Please could you’.
Don’t use contractions (such as I’m).
Don’t use slang words such as ‘fab’.
End your letter with ‘Yours Faithfully,’ or ‘Yours sincerely,’.

3. Informal Letter Informal letter;
The date goes on the left above your greeting.
Write your address in the top right-hand corner of the page.
Always start with ‘Dear’...., - use a comma after the person’s name
You may use abbreviations to save space.
The closing phrase is usually informal – love ....
Use lots of adjectives, such as ‘cool’ and ‘fantastic’
You may even add kisses – if you wish to do so!

4. Example of Informal Letter
22, Stock End,
ROCKINGTON
RK1 1KR
17th January 2013
Dear Granny,
Thank you so much for the money you sent me for my birthday. I’m going
To spend it on...
Love from
Luke

5. Example of Formal Letter
The Spinney
Long Lane
FAIRFORD
FF1 1QT
The Manager
Fairford Bank
Whistle Street
FF2 2QN
13th April 2013
OPENING A SAVER’S ACCOUNT
Dear Madam,
I am interested in opening a Saver’s Account. Could you please send me
details of what I need to open one and I can come in (as soon as I am free)
and open one.
Yours sincerely,
Ms. Julie Woodward

6. Thank-you Letters Tell the reader the purpose of the letter
Give reasons why the person made a good choice – phrasing the first reason
As a questions – Did you know yellow was my favourite colour?
Think about the following;
What are you going to say thank you for; a kind deed, a thoughtful present
or a party you went to.
Write positive things and link it to the present/gift.
Use great adjectives to describe what you are thanking the person for;
fascinating jigsaws, intriguing books, superb trainers.

7. Letter to a Pen-friend
You are writing to each other to make friends. You could share information
about;
Yourself, your home and family – your pets
Your hobbies and interests
What kind of films or music you both like.
As well as giving information you need to ask questions for your pen-pal to
reply to.
You can’t write ‘Love from’ when you don’t know somebody well. ‘Best
wishes’ or ‘Regards’ are fine.

8. Letters to Officials
One reason that people write letters is to express an opinion in public.
Reasons for writing;
You may want to write a letter to – highlight a problem, prevent something
from happening or to complain about something.
Start the letter with a formal layout then;
Present the situation
Express your opinion, explaining briefly why you hold your view
Make a suggestion
Request some specific action – including a reply to your letter

9. Writing a Postcard
When you write on the back of a postcard make it as interesting as possible
and personalize it. As there is not much space on a postcard, it’s often
best to leave out a greeting. The name and address alongside make it clear to
whom you are writing. Mostly, you can pitch straight in with your message:
‘Wish you were here’. ‘The sunshine shines all day long here’.
You could tell them a fascinating fact that you’ve learnt about the place
Where you are staying.
What you did yesterday or what you hope to do tomorrow.
How you find the local people and their customs.
If you have had a chance to practise a foreign language.
What the food or accommodation (where you are staying) are like –
and what the weather is like!

10. Summing Up Letters Picture the person you are writing to as you write.
In an informal letter, write as you would speak – don’t try to use sophisticated
language (words you don’t understand).
Draft your letter first on scrap paper, then you can concentrate fully on neat
legible handwriting for the fair copy.
Always remember to date your letter including the year.
Keep your sentences short and read them aloud to check they make sense.
Remember, if your letter begins ‘Dear Sir’ (or Madam), then it must end
‘Yours faithfully,’ or ‘Yours Sincerely,’.
Keep letters to recipients other than your friends to one side of the paper.
Avoid starting every sentence with ‘I...’