Writing letters is becoming something of a lost art in this day of digital communication. Emails and text messages can be sent very instantly at a fraction of the price of sending mail.

So, what’s the point of teaching letter-writing in the first place? Though electronic ‘letters’ are typically more flexible in terms of formatting and content than physical letters, the rules of letter-writing can also be applied to the electronic medium.

A WELL-WRITTEN LETTER HAS THE POWER TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD.

While we take pride in knowing how to write a brilliant essay, information report, or other educational literature, the ability to write a powerful letter or email has truly impacted people’s lives, altered the course of history, and in some cases been the difference between life and death.

It could be the last chance we have to cut through the clutter and ambiguity around any topic and tell someone how we genuinely feel. 

FEATURES OF FORMAL LETTERS THAT ARE COMMON

A letter of complaint, a cover letter accompanying a job application, a letter of invitation, a reference letter, or a proposal letter, to mention a few examples of formal letters, can be prepared for a variety of purposes and come in a variety of shapes. 

Though each will have its own set of style and tone requirements, students should avoid using slang or contractions when writing official letters. 

Straightforward and courteous language should be used. Encourage students to use direct, utilitarian language instead of purple prose bursts. This can be sometimes difficult to write as it has some complications.

So, if you want to have assistance in your letter writing homework, then you can search for English homework help where you can have the guidance of the experts to write letters in a precise manner.

How to write formal letters?

  • INVITATION – Make someone feel special by making them feel special about an impending event.

  • APPLICATION – Make a professional application letter for a job or a group you want to join.

  • REFEREE / REFERENCE / REFERENCE / REFERENCE / REFERENCE – Attest to someone else’s abilities, personality, or credibility.

  • REJECTION AND ACCEPTANCE – In a professional manner, approve or decline a candidate.

  • MAKE A PROPOSAL – Make a written official and binding offer.

  • RESIGNATION / EXIT – Professionally and courteously, formally quit or step down.

INFORMAL LETTER FEATURES

Although there are fewer standards to follow when writing an informal letter, there are still some essential recommendations to follow that will be beneficial to students who are writing informally. It’s crucial to examine who your audience is and why you’re writing in the first place, like with any piece of writing. 

This will be especially useful in determining the tone and linguistic register. The more personal the relationship, the more casual the language. When you finish writing your letter, check carefully, that it is not plagiarized as copied content is not accepted anywhere. Check your written letter on free plagiarism checker to ensure authentic content.

How to write an informal letter?

  • THANK YOU SO MUCH – Let someone know how much you appreciate what they’ve done.

  • CONGRATULATIONS – Recognize someone’s life accomplishments.

  • LOSS / GRIEVANCE – Recognize someone’s loss or suffering and express your concern.

  • LOVE & FRIENDSHIP – Tell someone why they are important to you.

  • LETTER TO THE EDITOR, MAYOR, AND SO ON – Let someone know how their activities are affecting you and others negatively.

  • SELF-EXAMINATION LETTER – Give your younger or older self some words of wisdom and advice.

  • UPDATE ON INFORMATION – Write a letter to your family and tell them what you’ve been up to.

THE PROCESS OF WRITING BEGINS WITH PLANNING

Formal letter writing, like any other genre of writing, should begin with planning. Rather than a full explanation of minutiae, this should comprise drawing a brief outline from which to work. These are the things you should take in consideration.

  • Who are you writing to? Make a list of addresses, names, and other information.
  • Make a list of the letter’s purpose — what do you wish to say?
  • How will you say it? Make a list of points to be made (each will be a paragraph) – how will you say it?
  • Declare your call to action – what do you want the reader to do?

Greetings: A Note

Begin with Dear Mr. / Mrs. Surname and end with Yours Sincerely if the student knows the intended recipient’s name. Start with Dear Sir/ Madam and end with Yours Faithfully if they don’t know the recipient’s name.

Endnote

Letter-writing is also a terrific method to collaborate with schools in other countries; many children learning English as a second language will be delighted to receive (and write to) kids from English-speaking nations. 

And, while email is quickly encroaching on the traditional realm of the letter, many of the skills learned in letter writing may be applied to the current version. There’s a lot of room here to connect letter-writing skills to email-writing techniques.