The document provides tips for writing a formal letter, including placing the address and date in the top right corner, addressing the recipient in the left above the greeting, using formal openings like "Dear..." and closings like "Yours faithfully" or "Yours sincerely", writing in formal language, dividing the letter into paragraphs, and choosing more formal expressions over informal ones when applicable.

1. Tips for writing a formal letter

2.  Put your address and the date in the
top right-hand corner (but NOT your
name)
 When writing an email you shouldn’t
include any addresses.
 The date would normally go under the
sender’s address and should be
written out in full (date month year)

3.  Put the name and address of the
person you’re writing to on the left,
above the greeting.

4. Typical Openings and
Endings
 Make sure you begin Dear…, and use
a formal ending (Yours faithfully or
Yours sincerely).
 We do not use Dear manager to begin
a letter, even if we do not know the
person’s name. Dear Sir/Madam
should be used instead.
 You should only finish Yours sincerely
if your know the name of the person. If
not, Yours faithfully should be used.

5.  Use formal language (Could you…? I
would be grateful if you could…,etc.)

6.  Divide your letter into at least three
paragraphs.

7. Formal Expressions
 I am writing to make a reservation…
 I would like to apply for the job…
 I would be grateful if you could send…
 I enclose…
 I am writing to enquire about…
 I am afraid I will not be able to…
 I am writing to express my
dissatisfaction with…

8. Which is the more formal
expression from each pair?
 Another thing/Secondly
 The first problem was/Firstly
 Best wishes/Yours faithfully
 I expect to receive/You must send me
 I know/I can accept
 Please write soon/I look forward to
hearing from you
 I am writing to complain about/I am
really angry about

9. Which is the more formal
expression from each pair?
 Another thing/Secondly
 The first problem was/Firstly
 Best wishes/Yours faithfully
 I expect to receive/You must send me
 I know/I can accept
 Please write soon/I look forward to
hearing from you
 I am writing to complain about/I am
really angry about