FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTERS

There are various types of letters such as: letters of complaint, letters asking for/giving information, letters asking for/giving advice, letters of invitation, letters accepting/refusing an invitation, letters expressing congratulations/thanks, letters giving news, letters of apology, letters of application for a job etc.

A good letter should consist of:

a) an appropriate greeting (Dear Peter, Dear Mr Ford, Dear Sir/Madam,);

b) an introduction clearly stating the reason you are writing;

c) a main body in which the subject is developed. Begin a new paragraph for each main point;

d) a final paragraph in which you sum up the topic or express your wish for something to be done; and

e) an appropriate ending (Yours/Best wishes + first name, Yours sincerely/Yours faithfully + full name).

Style in Letters

The characteristics of formal style in letters are:

• the greeting (Dear Mrs Lee, Dear Sir,)

• frequent use of the passive

• formal language (complex sentences, non-colloquial English)

• no abbreviated forms

• the ending (Yours sincerely/Yours faithfully, Jason McNeil)

The characteristics of informal style in letters are:

• the greeting (Dear Alex, Dear Dad,)

• informal language and style (idioms, colloquial English)

• abbreviated forms, pronouns omitted

• the ending (Yours/Love/Best wishes/Regards, Anthony)