6.2.4
Letter
Letters
Letters
Letters are addressed to individuals or organisations. The type of letter that you'd write your friend is very different from the audience for the cover letter to a job application.
![Illustrative background for Formal letters](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/042f6872-0d7d-41e7-83f4-e42aae3ed63d/shutterstock_73792807,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Formal letters ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/042f6872-0d7d-41e7-83f4-e42aae3ed63d/shutterstock_73792807,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Formal letters
Formal letters
- Formal letters, as you would write for a job application should use a formal tone.
- If you don't know the specific person that you're writing to, then using a formal mode of address (Dear Sir/Madam) and signing off (Yours faithfully) is a good idea.
- You should use formal language and avoid colloquial language.
![Illustrative background for Informal letters](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/a9e0b3a8-f84d-4915-b3f6-a2e8fdb79cc7/letter-written-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Informal letters ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/a9e0b3a8-f84d-4915-b3f6-a2e8fdb79cc7/letter-written-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Informal letters
Informal letters
- If you are writing to someone you know well, you can be less formal, but letters are usually more formal than text messages.
- You could use an informal mode of address and start the letter with Dear Paul, or Dear Peter, or Dear Mr. Evans.
- You could sign off with Best Wishes, or All the best.
- A letter to someone you know will be less formal.
- However, using varied sentence lengths and different DAFORESTER techniques can show your skills to an examiner.
![Illustrative background for What do letters usually contain?](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/e3a65421-eda1-462e-b842-4fb6a88dce66/letter-mail-post,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for What do letters usually contain? ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/e3a65421-eda1-462e-b842-4fb6a88dce66/letter-mail-post,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
What do letters usually contain?
What do letters usually contain?
- The correct use of two addresses.
- The date that you're writing the letter.
- Awareness of audience - a formal/informal mode of address (e.g. ‘Dear Sir’ or ‘Hi Mum’).
- Paragraphs which flow well into each other.
- A logical structure.
- An appropriate sign off.
![Illustrative background for Formal and informal sign offs](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/4f30056e-a649-4336-ab08-8f618b345d9f/writing-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Formal and informal sign offs ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/4f30056e-a649-4336-ab08-8f618b345d9f/writing-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Formal and informal sign offs
Formal and informal sign offs
- Formal: If you start with ‘Dear Sir’, end with ‘Yours faithfully’.
- Formal: If you start with ‘Dear Mrs. Dale’ (i.e. their surname), end with ‘Yours sincerely’.
- Informal: This depends on your audience. If you start with ‘Hi Mum’, you could end with ‘See you soon’ or 'Lots of love'.
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
Jump to other topics
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
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