Writing a letter

Formal or informal

Writing a

letter

Paragraph 1

Reason(s) for writing

Paragraph 2, 3

Development of the subject

Paragraph 4

Closing remarks

Name

Greeting

Formal style

Informal style

Dear Mr. Stone

Dear Sir(s) / Madam

Not Mr. John Stone

To whom it may

concern

.................................

.

Your address

(without

name)

DateRecipient’s

address

Yours sincerely

Yours faithfully

Full name

Your address (without name)DateDear Jack,

Dear Auntie Clare,

……………………………..

Yours / Best wishes / Love / Best regards / See you Name

P.S.

introductory letter phrases (textbook p. 91/3,

92/4,5,103/2,104/5)

formal informalO I am writing to….(request,

say, complain, inform you…)

O I regret to inform you….O I was pleased to get your

letterO I wish to apply for…O I would like to invite you/it

is my pleasure to invite you( to inform you) …

O Just thought Id drop you a line…

O How are you doing?

O This is just a note to tell you that…

Ending phrases(textbook p. 91/3, 92/4,5,103/2,104/5)

formalinformalO I look forward to

recieving…, hearing from you.

O I hope you will consider the matter pretty urgent/your priority…

O Thank you in advance for your answer

O Please, do not hesitate to contact …

O Thank you for your kind attention.

O Please reply at your earliest convenience.

O Tha is all my news for nowO Write back soonO Give my love to…, say Hi

for me to….O Hope, we can get together

soon/to hear from you soonO Give me a call/text me..

asapO Keep in touch

Formal

styleInformal stylePassive voice

Formal language

(complex

sentences, no

slang,…)

Long forms

(no abbreviations)Latinate verbs, compound linking

words, impersonal form (we, one,

they, passive)

Informal language and style (slang, idioms, colloquial English)

Abbreviated forms, (contractions), pronouns omittedactive voice, direct style, little use of conjuctions, phrasal verbs, personal form, no subjects sometimes.

• after greeting – put a comma or nothing (not an exclamation mark)

• in formal typewritten letter, add your full name typewritten after your handwritten signature

• address (number first, then street)

Example 1: This is to inform you that your book has been rejected by our publishing company as it was not up to the required standard. In case you would like us to reconsider it, we would suggest that you go over it and make some necessary changes.

Example 2: You know that book I wrote? Well, the publishing company rejected it. They thought it was awful. But hey, I did the best I could, and I think it was great. I’m not gonna redo it the way they said I should. 

Informal: May use colloquial words/expressions (kids, guy, awesome, a lot, etc.).Formal: Avoid using colloquial words/expressions (substitute with children, man/boy, wonderful, many, etc.)

Informal: May use contractions (can’t, won’t, shouldn’t, etc.).Formal: Avoid contractions (write out full words – cannot, will not, should not, etc.).

Informal: May use first, second, or third person.Formal: Write in third person (except in business letters where first person may be used).

Informal: May use clichés (loads of, conspicuous by absence, etc.) Formal: Avoid clichés (use many, was absent, etc.)

Informal: May address readers using second person pronouns (you, your, etc)Formal: Avoid addressing readers using second person pronouns (use one, one’s, the reader, the reader’s, etc.)

Informal: May use abbreviated words (photo, TV, etc)Formal: Avoid using abbreviated words (use full versions – like photograph, television, etc.)

Informal: May use imperative voice (e.g. Remember….)Formal: Avoid imperative voice (use Please refer to.….)

Informal: May use active voice (e.g. We have noticed that…..)Formal: Use passive voice (e.g. It has been noticed that….)

Informal: May use short and simple sentences.Formal: Longer and more complex sentences are preferred (short simple sentences reflects poorly on the writer)

Informal: Difficulty of subject may be acknowledged and empathy shown to the reader.Formal: State your points confidently and offer your argument firm support.

Stuff Things Items, PossessionsFolks Family RelativesKids (younger) Babies, Children Infants, OffspringKids (older) Teenagers Adolescents, YouthsGuy Man MaleOld people Elderly people Senior citizens, Retirees- Boss, Manager Supervisor, SuperiorCops Police Law enforcementCrooks Criminals Offenders, LawbreakersOK, Alright Fine Acceptable, SatisfactoryGreat, Awesome Good Preferable, DesirableRubbish, Useless Bad, Poor Unsatisfactory, Unacceptable

- Nice, Polite

Considerate, Agreeable

- Kind, Friendly Sociable, NeighbourlyNasty, Cheeky (person) Rude, Impolite Abusive, Disagreeable

Stupid, Crazy, Dumb (idea)

- Misguided, Questionable

Stupid, Crazy, Dumb (person)

- Misguided, Mistaken

- Happy (person) Satisfied, Delighted- Happy (situation) Satisfying, Delightful- Sad (person) Regretful, Distressed- Sad (situation) Regrettable, Distressing

Sick of, Fed up with Tired of Dissatisfied with- Poor (country) Developing, Poverty-

stricken- Poor (person) In poverty,

Underprivileged- Rich (country) Wealthy, Developed- Rich (person) Wealthy, Privileged

In what areas must you differentiate formal and informal?Are you good at both?

Have you had any experience (awkward situation) when you misjudged the circumstances and dressed up/down or anything else?