Tipas and layout of a formal letter

1. WRITING A FORMAL
LETTER

2. LAYOUT
Your address
Date
Name and address
of the person or
business you are
writing to.
Dear Mr/Mrs Smith, Dear Sir/Madam,
 Paragraph 1: reasons for writing; where you saw the advert
 Paragraph 2 : reasons for applying; why you are a good candidate for the job; personality
 Paragraph 3 : mention your CV ; availability; thanks ; closing greetings
I look forward to hearing from you
Yours sincerely Yours faithfully,
Sign the letter
Write your full name

3. Layout
 Layout (this is how the letter is set out on the page)
1 Write your address in the top right-hand corner
2 Write the date below your address leaving a gap of one line
3 Write the name and address of the person you are writing to starting
below the date and aligned to the left
4 Start your letter with Dear Sir/Madam if you don´t know the person´s
name or Dear Mr/Miss/Ms/Mrs and their Surname
5 Then write your letter using a new paragraph for each main point
6 Finish with Yours faithfully if you don´t know the person´s name
or Yours sincerely if you know their name,
7 Then write your signature below and also print your name below

4. Tips :
 Use Dear Sir/Madam and Yours faithfully if you don´t know the
person´s name
 Never write your name before your address
 Write the house or flat number first followed by the name of the
street (using capitals for both the name and street)
 If you are enclosing something with the letter write enc or encs
(plural) below your printed name)
 In the main contents of the letter always give the reason for
writing first. Then use a new paragraph for each separate point.

5.  Style of Language
 It is important to get the tone and style of language right in a
formal letter.
 Don´t use contractions for example write "do not" instead of" don
´t."
 Be polite even if it´s a letter of complaint.
 Try to be clear and don´t include extra details unless it is
necessary
 Purpose
 There are different types of formal letters in English. You need to
think about what you want to achieve by writing your letter.
 Is it a letter of enquiry?A letter of complaint? Of application? or a
letter of apology?

6. SAMPLE LETTER
 You see this advert
 Write a letter applying
for this job.
Liverpool Daily News
The City Tourist Information centre is looking for
a part-time Assistant (16+)
Saturdays and /or Sundays
Send CV and cover letter to Mrs Cristina Cabal,
12 West Way, Liverpool, L1 7FX

7. 64 Kings Road
Liverpool
City Tourist Information Centre L3 4FE
12 West Way
Liverpool 19th February 2013
L1 7FX
Dear Mrs Cabal,
I am writing to apply for the position of Part-Time Assistant at the Tourist
Information centre, which was advertised recently in the Liverpool daily News.
I am very interested in this job because I hope to do a degree in Tourism in the
future. I already have some experience in this area because last summer I
worked as a tour guide in the city centre, which I really enjoyed. I am hard-
working and reliable and I enjoy working with people.I also speak some French
and German.

8. I enclose my CV and would be happy to provide references on request. I
would be available to work on Saturdays or Sundays. Thank you for
considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Ian Simpson

9. Now, it is your turn!!
 Plan a letter to apply for
this job
Saturday Jobs at Music
Mania
We are looking for Customer Assistants to
work 9.00-5.30
Apply to Music Mania,
The High Street, Foxton
CM7 9HD

10. Ready??
 Write your address at the top-right
 Write the date below your address. Leave a
gap of one line
 Write the name of the business and its
address.
 Do you know the name of the person you are
writing to? Write Dear Mr/Mrs .. if you know it
; write Dear Sir/Madam …..if you don’t.

11.  Paragraph 1. Reason for writing; where
you saw the advert
 Start with “I am writing....” (don’t forget you
cannot use contractions)
 … which was advertised….

12.  Paragraph 2: reasons for applying; why
you are a good candidate for the job
Start with “I am very interested in this job…”
Don’t forget to include relevant qualities for the
job

13.  Paragraph 3: mention your CV and your
work experience; thanks and closing
greetings
You can use . “ I enclose my CV” , “I can
provide references on request” , “I would
be available to work …” “thank you for”
“I look forward to hearing from you”

14.  End the letter
 If you know the name of the person , end with
“Yours faithfully” ; if you don’t know it , end
“Yours sincerely”
 Don’t forget to sign the letter and write your
full name.