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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring
Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home
Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs
30+ school subjects covered