Personal & Formal Letters
English Language: KS3, topic 5.1.9
Personal and Formal Letters
Letters are written to communicate messages, thoughts and feelings to another individual person or group of people. Letters can be either formal or informal.
Salutation
- Letters begin with a salutation.
- Salutation is a greeting.
- Salutation is different depending if the letter is formal or informal.
- Formal salutations include ‘Dear...’, ‘Greetings...’ or ‘To whom it may concern’ if the person writing does not know the name of the person who will receive the letter.
- Informal salutations include ‘Hi...’, ‘Hello...’ or ‘To...’.
Paragraphs
- Ideas in letters are organised in paragraphs that separate different topics or time periods.
- Letters often include a recount of past events and experiences and the writer’s thoughts and feelings.
Sign-off
- Letters end with a sign-off.
- Formal examples of sign-off include:
- ‘Yours sincerely’ if you know the person you are writing to.
- ‘Yours faithfully’ if you do not know the recipient (person receiving) of the letter.
- Informal examples include ‘Love’ or ‘Best wishes’.
Historical communication
- Just like diaries, personal letters are usually kept private between the writer and recipient of the letter.
- Sometimes letters can be published if they document important historical communication.
Test yourself on Personal & Formal Letters
Which formal sign-off should be used if you don't know the person you are writing to?