Letter Writing
Formal & Informal
Letter
For video lesson please copy and paste
the below mentioned link into your
browser
https://youtu.be/o8XkeHGUEnk

Important Mode of Communication
Share information from one person to another or
one group to another group.
Convey a message, a request or to report about a
situation.

Types of Letters
Formal
letter
Informal
letter
Formal Letter Informal Letter
Written for official purpose Written to a friend or relatives
Applications: to the Principal, letter of
complain, request etc.
Business letter: request for service,
information, action etc.
Giving your news, asking for suggestion
or advice
Invitation, accept or decline invitation

Social letters
Friendly letters
Notes of
invitations
Business letters
Letters to the
Govt. officers
Letters to
newspaper
Letters of
applications
Informal
Formal
Letters

I’d…….,won’t…we’ll etc.I would……., I have…..
It is my opinion that…….We would be
honoured……
Formal vs. Informal
Formal
letters
Informal
letters
Written in formal language and idioms.
No exclamation
Common, every day language and
idioms are used. Use exclamation
Passive voice.
No short forms.
Use of phrasal verbs. E.g. getting on,
settle in etc
Use short forms.
I think that…….It’d be great!
Active voice.
Use of modals like could, would, may
etc.

Choice of vocabularies.
book
askenquiry
reserve
get
checkverify
receive
help
giveprovide
assist
needrequest
tell
say sorryapologize
inform
begin/start
fixrepair
commence
thanks
okin order
thank you
whatbeg your pardon
Formal Informal Formal Informal
ask forrequest say hello toGive my regards

Informal letter structure
Sender’s
address & date
Greeting
Body
Closing
Signature

92. A.P.C. Road
Kolkata 700009
24th July, 2020
1
2
My dear Anushka,
a. Starting your letter
b. Commenting on something
c. Moving the topic on
d. Ending your letter
3
4
5 Closing
6 Meera
Signature
Receiver’s
Address
Stamp
7
1 Writer’s address
2 Date of writing
3 Greeting or salutation
4 Body of the letter
5 Leave-taking or Subscription
6 Signature
7 Receiver’s address

Useful phrases for informal
letters
a. Starting your letter
Thanks for your letter.
Nice to hear from you.
How are you.
How are things.
Hope you’re well.
b. Commenting / Responding on
something.
Your last letter was a real surprise….
What a wonderful news..
I’ve just received your letter. I’m so
happy/ sad to hear that……
I’m sorry to learn/hear that
a. Starting your letter
b. Commenting on something
c. Moving the topic on
d. Ending your letter
Body or the main part.

Useful phrases for informal
letters
c. Moving to the topic or the purpose of
writing
Body or the main part.
c. Moving the topic
on
d. Ending your letter
Anyway, the reason I’m writing….
I thought I’d write to tell/ ask you….
Anyway, I was wondering…
I’d like to share some good news
about………

Useful phrases for informal
letters
Body or the main part.
d. Ending your letter
d. Ending your letter
.
A
.
Closing remark
• Yours friend
• Yours ever
• Yours
• Etc.
.
B
.
Final remarks
• Hope to hear from you soon.
• Looking forward to your reply.
• Write back soon.
• Keep in touch.
• Best wishes
• All the best
• Take care

The Book House
3B College St.
Kolkata 700005
July 23, 2020
The Manager
Paper Mart
2B, Bahadur Marg
New Delhi 500025
Dear Mr. Dutta,
• Opening: Purpose of writing
• Body: Detail explanation
• Closing: Goodwill expression
Sincerely,
Anik Halder
Manager
Book House
Enclo:
Subject:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
Sender’s
address
Date Recipient’s
address
SalutationSubject
Body of
the letter
SignatureClosing Enclosures
Format
For
Formal Letters

Useful phrases for formal letters
Greetings:
• Dear Sir
• Dear Madam
• Dear Sir/Madam
• Dear Mr. Singh
• Dear Mr. Brown
Beginning:
• With reference to our conversation yesterday…
• Thank you for your email regarding…
• I am writing on behalf of…
• I am writing to draw your attention to…
Making a request:
• I would appreciate if you could…
• I would be most grateful if you would…
• Would you be so kind and …
• I was wondering if you could…
A
BC

Useful phrases for formal letters
Apologizing:
• We apologize for making
inconvenience caused…
• Please accept our sincere apologies…
Complaining:
• I am writing to express my dissatisfaction
with…
• I find it most unsatisfactory that…
• I would like to complain about…
Ending:
• I am looking forward to hear from you…
• If you require any further information,
please don’t hesitate to contact me…
• Please feel free to contact me if you
have any further questions…
D
EF

Useful phrases for formal letters
Closing:
• Yours sincerely,
• Sincerely,
• Yours truly,
G
Next video:
Different types of formal letters
Example: Business letter, letter to a
newspaper etc.

Thank
You
For video lesson please copy and paste
the below mentioned link into your
browser
https://youtu.be/o8XkeHGUEnk