Letter writing format

Letter writing format: Letter writing is necessary in one's personal or professional life. Here we shall discuss about letter writing format, types of letters, parts of a letter, formal letters, informal letters, samples of letters in details.

A letter is an important means of communication. A letter is a written message by one person or organisation to another. It serves as a record of many events, occasions, invitations, requests, orders, complaints etc.

Letters are of two types
i. Formal Letter
ii. Informal Letter

Formal Letter

What is a formal letter ?

A Letter that is written officially or personally for a formal purpose is called a Formal letter. It addresses a issue, enguiry, complaint etc.
Types of Formal letter

Letter to the editor
Letter to the Government
Letter to the police
Letter to the principal
Order letter
Complaint letter
Enquiry letter
Business letter
Application letter

Informal Letter

What is an informal letter ?

A Letter that is written personally for an informal purpose is called an Informal letter. It is normally written for a casual purpose.
Types of Informal letter

Letter to parents
Letter to siblings
Letter to friends
Letter to classmates
Letter to neighbours

Parts of a letter

1. Heading ( place and date )
2. Salutation / Greeting
3. Body of the letter
4. Subscription
5. Signature
6. Superscrition

What is the format of letter writing ?

While writing a letter we need to follow points inorder to present it correct and attractive. Thus each types of letter has its own style of writing. We we shall discuss about the format of letter writing.

Formal letter format

How do I write a formal letter ?

While writing a formal letter following points need to be followed.

A Formal Letter strictly follows the prescribed Format for writing a Formal Letter.
Use of colloquial words, abbreviations and slang language should be restricted while writing a Formal letter.
A Formal Letter must be precise and to the point.
The Subject line is very important in a Formal Letter.

The Format of a Formal Letter should be

Sender’s address

The address and contact details of the sender are written here. Include email and phone number, if required or if mentioned in the question.

Date

The date is written below the sender’s address after Leaving one space or line.

Receiver’s address

The address of the recipient of the mail (the officer / principal / Editor) is written here.

Subject of the letter

The main purpose of the letter forms the subject. It must be written in one line. It must convey the matter for which the letter is written.

Salutation

Respected sir / Madam , Sir

Body of the letter

The matter of the letter is written here and it has to be divided into three paragraphs as follows -

Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself and the purpose of writing the letter in brief.

Paragraph 2: Give a detail of the matter.

Paragraph 3: Conclude by mentioning what you expect. (For example, a solution to your problem, to highlight an issue in the newspaper, etc).

Complimentary Closing
Superscription

Sender’s name signature and designation

Specimen of a formal letter

Sender’s address

Date

Receiver’s Address

Subject

Salutation

Body of the letter

Complimentary closing

Sender’s Name, signature and designation

Informal Letter format

How do I write an informal letter ?

While writing an informal letter the following points need to be followed.

An Informal Letter does not strictly follow the prescribed Format.
The language of an Informal Letter must be friendly and casual.
An Informal Letter can have extra information.
The Subject line is not required in an Informal Letter.

The Format of an Informal Letter should be

Address

The address of the sender is followed by that of the receiver.

Date

The date is written below the address after leaving one line.

Salutation / Greeting

(Dear / Dearest / Respected )

Body

The matter of the letter is written here and it should be divided into three paragraphs as follows -

Paragraph 1: beginning
Paragraph 2: Main content.
Paragraph 3: ending

Superscription

Sender’s name and signature.

Specimen of a infomal letter

Address

Date

Salutation

Body of the letter

Sender’s Name and signature

Formal letter wriring samples

Here we present some samples of formal letter

Q .Write A Letter To The Editor Of A Local English Daily Regarding The Excessive Rise Of Price Of All Essential Commodities.

Ans :

To,
The Editor
The Assam tribune
Guwahati 03 ,Assam
Date:
Sub : Increasing price of all essential commodities.
Respected Sir / Madam
Most respectfully through the regular coloumn in your esteemed daily I would like to draw attention of the authority concerned regarding the excessive rise of price of all essential commodities like pulse,fuel,vegetable over the past few days.

Sir, The first and foremost reason for the price rise is due to black marketing and hoarding by the big tradders. They stok goods and create artificial scarcity in the retail markets.It has become a headache for all class of people.Where upper class people are struggling with the price rise middle and lower class people are beyond their purchasing power.Price of commodities are increasing leaps and bound but the income of the individual remain same and at the same time they can not do without it.

So there fore I would like to request you to bring this issue into light so it could reach to our food supply minister to look into the matter and take some necessary steps to bring the price down.
Thanking you
Your's faithfully

Name...............

# Suggestion : Letter to the Editor samples

Q. Yor Are Arvind / Rimpi, You Have Seen An Advertisement For The Post Of An Assistant Science Teacher In Bhawanipur High School,Guwahati, Write A Formal Letter To The Principal Of The School In Response To The Advertisement Applying For The Post.

Ans:

To,
The Principal
Bhawanipur High School
Guwahati
Date :
Subject: Applying for the post of an assistant Science Teacher
Respected Sir / Madam
Most respectfully in response to your advertisement published in The Assam tribune Dated 02 December inviting application for the post of an assistant Science teacher lying vacant in your institution.I would like to offer myself as a candidate for the above mentioned post. All the necessary documents and my bio data attached along with this application for your kind perusal.
I will be ever obliged to you and devoted towards my duty if my candidature is accepted. Waiting for a call from your side.
Thanking you
Your's faithfully
Arvind
BIO-DATA
Name: Arvind
Father's Name : xyz
Present Address: Chandmari..........
Permanent Address: Chandmari..........
Date of Birth: 00/00/0000
Nationality: Indian Religion: Hindu Caste: ........ Sex:M/F
Educational Qualification:
Exam Board Div/class Year of Passing
1.H.S.L.C SEBA 1st 2004
2.HSSLC AHSEC 1st 2006
3.B.Sc G.U 1st 2009
4.M.Sc G.U. 1st 2011
5.B.Ed G.U 1st 2013
Other Qualification: Basic knowledge of computer
Work Experience:
1. Three years experience as an assistant teacher at MGM high school
2. One year as assistant teacher at DPS.
Contact: 9854*******
I hereby declare that all the details are very true to my knowledge.
Arvind
(signature)

# Suggestion: Job Application writing