A letter is a traditional form of written communication that remains useful despite modern technology. Letters can be written for various purposes like describing something, sending a message, inviting, protesting, complaining, sharing thoughts and feelings. Letters have a personal touch and lasting impact, and can be preserved for future reference. The key parts of a letter are the heading, salutation/greeting, body, subscription, and signature. Letters can be informal for friends and relatives or formal for officials, with different formats and styles of addressing the recipient.

2. • A letter is a sort of message. It is a traditional,
formal kind of writing which has not lost its utility
even in this age of tele-communication. It is written
for several purposes - to describe something, to
send a message, to invite, to lodge a protest, to
complain, to share one's thoughts and feelings, etc.
As it has a personal touch to make, many people
still prefer it over a fax-message, a telephone call,
etc. It is useful in many ways. It has a lasting
impact. It can be preserved for record or reference.
DEFINITION

3. • 1. Heading
• 2. Salutation/Greeting
• 3. The Body
• 4. The Subscription
• 5. Signature
Parts of a Letter

4. • 1. Heading : Now-a-days the position of the
heading is the top left-hand corner of the first page.
It contains the address of the sender and the date on
which it is written.
Heading

5. • Salutation/Greeting : The salutation or greeting depends
on the sender’s relation to the person to whom the letter is
written. Note the following forms of salutation :
• Relation Salutation
• Father, Mother, Uncle, Aunt, etc. DearFather/Mother/Uncle,
etc.
• Friends My dear Rakesh/Dear Ram
• Strangers/Acquaintances Dear Mr. Gill/Dear
Sir/Madam
• Officials Sir/Madam, Dear Sir/
Madam
Salutation/Greeting

6. • The Body : This is the most important part of
the letter containing the message. It can be
divided into paragraphs which are logically
connected. It should be written in a clear, natural
language.
The Body

7. • The Subscription : The subscription or leave-taking
must be made in a proper manner.
• The words of affection, regard or respect may be used
before the subscription (Yours sincerely/Yours truly,
etc.)
• Relationship Expression
• Friends With best wishes
• Relatives With regards/love, etc.
• Principal/teacher/editor/any other office
bearer Thank you very much.
The Subscription

8. • How to End the Letters
• Letter addressed to Ending
• (i) Friends and acquaintances Yours sincerely
• (ii) Relatives Yours affectionately
• (iii) Officers/Editors/ Businessmen, etc.
Yours faithfully
• (iv) Principal/Teacher Yours obediently
/faithfully
The Subscription Cont...

9. • Signature : In its simple form, the. signature
consists of the written signature of the sender.
It is put just below the subscription :
Yours truly
Subhash
• Note : In typed letters, the full name is typed and
then signed by the writer.
Signature

10. • Informal Letters : Letters to friends and relatives
are informal. Note the following sequence:
• 1. Sender's address at the top left corner
• 2. Date
• 3. Salutation (Dear Ravi/Dear Father,etc.)
• 4. Body of the letter
• 5. Subscription (Yours sincerely/Yours affectionately)
• 6. Name/Signature
Types of Letters

11. • Formal Letters : Letters to officials and editors are
formal. Note the following points :
• 1. Sender's address
• 2. Receiver's address
• 3. Date
• 4. Salutation (Sir/ Dear Sir/ Madam)
• 5. Subject
• 6. Body of the letter
• 7. Subscription (Yours truly/ Yours faithfully)
• 8. Name/ Signature /Designation, if any.
Types of Letters Cont...

12. • • A well-written notice must inform the readers
about the 5 Ws:
• — What is going to happen, (that is, the event)
• — Where it will take place
• — When it will take place (that is, the date and
time)
• — Who can apply or is eligible for it
• — Whom to contact or apply to (that is, the issuing
authority)
Points to remember:

13. • Only the most important points should be written.
• • A.O.D. – that is, any other detail given in the question.
• • One is free to add any relevant information not included in
the question.
• • The sentences should be short and grammatically accurate.
• • They should be in the passive voice as far as possible.
• • The notice should be presented within a box.
• • The word limit for a notice is 40–50 words (only the words
in the body of the notice
• are counted).
Points to remember Cont...

14. • Information given in a notice must be clear and
should not cause any misunderstanding or
confusion.
• • A notice must be catchy and appealing – it should
attract the reader’s attention at once.
• • Increase the visual appeal of your notice by using
bold letters, catchy slogans, striking words and
phrases, etc.
• • Standard abbreviations are allowed.
Points to remember Cont...

15. FORMAT OF AN INFORMAL LETTER

16. • 1. You are Rakesh/Sudha of 100-R, Cool Road,
Faridabad. Write a letter to your younger
brother/sister telling him/her about the new syllabus
introduced by the CBSE from the current academic
session.
Solved Examples

17. • 100-R, Cool Road
• Faridabad
• 4th March, 2020
• Dear Sadhna
• You asked me to tell you about the new syllabus introduced by the CBSE from this year. There is
nothing confusing about it. First of all, you should note that the whole syllabus is now divided
into two semesters. Each semester will have a terminal examination, and each paper will carry
80% Marks. 20% marks are now reserved for assessment. It is important to note that assessment
is now a part of teaching-learning process. You will be assessed for both scholastic and co-
scholastic activities. Scholastic activities include the traditional academic items related to
prescribed books. Co-scholastic activities include those relating to our ability to listen, speak,
read and write - reading comprehension, speech, debate, dramatisation, games and sports. artistic
activities, etc. I hope your teachers will make you familiar with everything. The new changes are
sure to make learning a less-strained and more pleasant activity.
Convey my regards to Dad and Mom.
Yours affectionately.
Sudha.
Solved Examples

18. 30 - A, Lajpat Nagar
New Delhi
4th April, 20....
The Mayor
The Municipal Corporation
New Delhi
Sir
May I draw your attention to the nuisance caused by stray dogs and cattle in our
locality ? There is no lane or road on which one does not find dogs, cows,
buffaloes, or pigs roaming freely. Some stray dogs seem to have caught rabies.
They shun water and lie in secluded places. A bite from such a dog is sure to
cause one , a painful disease and a fatal end. At times, it becomes difficult for
the residents to move out safely. Moreover, the stray animals spread filth
wherever they move. They eat grass and leaves of flower plants from the flower
beds and lawns of the residents.
Kindly take effective steps to get our colony rid of the menace of stray animals.
Thank you very much.
Yours faithfully
Aakash
Solved Examples

19. FORMAT OF A FORMAL LETTER

20. • You are Aakaash/Veena of 30 - A, Lajpat Nagar,
New Delhi. Write a letter to the Mayor of the
Municipal Corporation complaining against the
nuisance of stray dogs and cattle in your locality.
Solved Examples

21. • Suppose you are Kamlesh/Aarti of 16-B,
Jawahar Enclave, Ajmer. Write a letter to the
editor of newspaper, expressing your views on
the shortage of water and power supply in your
city.
EXERCISE : Question

22. • Your friend wants your advice about the way to
study to get good marks. Write him/ her a letter
in about 120 words.
EXERCISE : Question

23. THANK YOU