This document provides guidance on writing formal and informal letters. It discusses the key components and format of letters, including the address, date, salutation, introduction, body, and conclusion. For formal letters, the address of the recipient should be included under the sender's address in a specific format. Informal letters use "Dear" followed by the recipient's first name in the salutation. Letters must be carefully written using appropriate language, format, and structure to effectively communicate information to the intended audience.

1. Letter Writing …

2. Letter Writing
Communicationis a very integralpart of
living creatures, animalsand humans.
Communicationmaybeverbal or written.
Writtencommunication,however,is only
applicabletohumanbeings.

3. Letters speak volumes about a person or an
organization that writes it. So, one must
take utmost care ensuring that the language
used in any letter is appropriate for the
occasion for which it is being written.
Since a letter is also a written proof or
document, if there are certain things that
need to follow some specific format, then
that too should be carefully handled.

4. Types of Letters
Personal Letters
Business letters

5. Informal Letter
House no, Name,
Street Name,
Area, Locality,
Town, City – Pin.
_______(leave a line)_______________________________________________________
5th January, 2016
Dear ______,
________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Yours affectionately,
First name

6. Formal Letter House no, Name,
Street Name,
Area, Locality,
Town, City – Pin.
_______(leave a line)_______________________________________________________
5th January, 2017
The _______,
Building name,
Street Name/Locality,
Town, City – Pin
Subject: ______________________
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Yours faithfully,
Sign
Full Name

7. Things to remember
• Address: To be in the format given and should not exceed 4 lines.
Check punctuation and capitalisation. This carries half mark.
• Date: Month for the date should be spelt completely. Year to be
written completely. (Eg: 2014, 2016) th, nd, st should be written on
the line and ensure there is a comma after the name of the month.
No short forms must be accepted.
• Salutation: Use ‘Dear’ for both formal and informal. There should
be a comma at the end. Dissuade usage of casual endearments like
mum, dad, grandpa, mumma, etc. use mother, father, grandfather,
grandmother.
• For uncles/aunties: Dear uncle, Dear uncle Sam,
• For friends/cousins/siblings: Use first name.

8. • For formal letters : Dear Sir, / Dear Madam. Discourage use of Ma’am.
• Each component of the letter carries half a mark. Formal letter has 3
marks for format and informal has 2 ½ marks.
• Lines need not be left between paragraphs but ensure they are indented
properly.
• For informal letters: You can use Your loving daughter, etc as subscription
but beware of inappropriate usage. It’s safest to stick to: Yours lovingly, or
Yours affectionately. Check capitalisation, spelling and punctuation.
• Sign off with first name only in informal letters and with full name (i.e. first
and last name) in formal letter.
• Receiver’s address for formal letters should be copied as it is if given in the
questions or else write in accordance to given format. Do not use ‘To’
before receiver’s address instead begin with the appropriate title.

9. • Introduction: Completely discourage the use of
questions. Students can use assertive statements to make
polite inquiries. Introduction should clearly mention the
reason of writing the letter which should be picked up from
the question. Opening statement for a formal letter will
include a self introduction.
• Do not use ‘myself’ when introducing, use ‘I am
(name)_____ residing in ____’
• Following opening statements could be: This is to bring to
your notice/ This is to inform you about/ Draw your urgent
attention to, etc.
• Informal letters could begin with general inquiries or
reference to previous communication.

10. • Body: This part includes the major chunk of the
topic. The information should however be
arranged systematically.
• Conclusion: use a general statement to summarise
the letter.
• Eg: Request you to look into the matter. / Do the
needful. / Resolve the matter at the earliest. /
Looking for your co-operation in this matter. /
Hoping for an early and favourable reply, etc.

11. • Informal letters can end with: Convey my
regards to all at home, etc.
• Content of the letter is marked on its
appropriateness, organisation, expression,
grammar and vocabulary.

12. Writing is an art that should be cultivated.

13. Writing isn’t letters on paper. It’s
communication. It’s memory.
- Isaac Marion