Formal Language : often associated with written standard English conventions. It is signaled by complex, complete sentences, impersonality, avoidance of colloquial or slang vocabulary.
Informal Language is characterized by a simpler
grammatical structure (i.e. loosely-
sentences and
connected
phrases), personal evaluation,
and a colloquial or slang vocabulary.
2: Formal and informal speech and writing
Use of Contraction
He has gone. (Formal) He's gone. (Informal)
Use of prepositions
Which nation does she belong to? (Informal) To which nation does she belong? (Formal)
Use of relative pronouns
The woman who you are talking about is my boss. (Formal) The woman you are talking about is my boss. (Informal)
Use of determiners
Neither of the answers is correct. (Formal) Neither of the answers are correct. (Informal)
A formal letter is a letter written to a business, a college, or any professional that are not considered friends or family.
An informal letter is a letter you would write to a friend or family
When do we write a formal letter? To whom do we write formal letters?
For what purposes do we write these letters for?
3 ADDRESS OF THE PERSON TO WHOM YOU ARE WRITING
4 SUBJECT
5 THE GREETING
6 THE BODY OF THE LETTER (INTRODUCTION, MAIN PARTS, CONCLUSION)
7 YOUR SIGNATURE
Addresses:
The return address should be written in the top right- hand corner of the letter.
person you are writing to
The inside address should be written on the left, starting below your address.
Date:
Different people put the date on different sides of the page. You can write this on the right or the left on the line after the address you are writing to. Write the month as a word.
Salutation
If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use this. It is always advisable to try to find out a name.
If you know the name, use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms, Dr, etc.) and the surname only. If you are writing to a woman and do not know if she uses Mrs or Miss, you can use Ms, which is for married and single women.
Ending a letter:
If you do not know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
If you know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
Sign your name, then print it underneath the signature. If you think the person you are writing to might not know whether you are male of female, put you title in brackets after your name.
Content of a Formal Letter First paragraph
The first paragraph should be
short and state the purpose of
the letter- to make an enquiry,
complain, request something, etc.
The paragraph or paragraphs in
the middle of the letter should
contain the relevant
information behind the writing
of the letter. Most letters in
English are not very long, so
keep the information to the
essentials and concentrate on
organising it in a clear and
logical manner rather than expanding too much.
Last Paragraph
The last paragraph of a formal letter should state what action you expect the recipient to take- to refund, send you information, etc.
ϖ American Style
According to the format, but usually aligned to the left.
January 17, 2009 (month-day- year).
According to the format but
usually aligned to the left (two lines below the heading).
Dear Mr. / Mrs. Ana: Dear Sir or Madam: Gentlemen:
After the salutation there is a
colon (:)
Sincerely yours, Yours truly,
ϖ British Style
The heading is usually placed in the top right corner of the letter (sometimes centered).
17 January 2009 (day-month- year)
Usually placed directly (or one blank line) below the heading.
Dear Mr. / Mrs. Ana, Dear Sir or Madam, Gentlemen,
After the salutation there is a
comma (,)
Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully,
Abbreviations Used in Letter Writing
The following abbreviations are widely used in letters: asap = as soon as possible
cc = carbon copy (when you send a copy of a letter to more than one person, you use this abbreviation to let them know)
enc. = enclosure (when you include other papers with your letter) pp = per procurationem (A Latin phrase meaning that you are
signing the letter on somebody else's behalf; if they are not there
to sign it themselves, etc)
ps = postscript (when you want to add something after you've finished and signed it)
pto (informal) = please turn over (to make sure that the other person knows the letter continues on the other side of the page)
RSVP = please reply
Format :
Explanation Address
25, Jalan Tebing 8/8, Seksyen 8,
40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Date
For example: 6 June 2011 For example: 6 June 2011
Ø Dear........,
For example: Dear Amin, Dear Latifah,
Ø Dearest…….., or My dear…., (for close friends & family)
For example: Dearest father, My dear Uncle Syed, Dearest Siti,
You may begin your letter by:
Ø How’s your family getting on?
Ø I’m fine and I hope you’re fine too. Ø I hope that you’re as fit as a fiddle.
Ø How’s the weather at your place? Not too hot I hope. Ø Did you get to visit your grandparents?
Ø Did you go on your trip to Paris as you had hoped? They say Paris is a beautiful city.
·
Ø I’m happy to receive your letter…
Ø Thank you for your letter which I received….. Ø I’m so glad to hear…..
Ø I’m glad to learn that….
Ø I’m sorry to hear that…..
Ø I’m sorry for not writing….
Ø In your last letter, you wanted me to describe / advice….. Ø I’m writing this letter to….
Inform the reader that you are ending the letter. You mayuse the following phrases:
Ø I’ll write again soon. Ø Do write to me soon.
Ø Well, that’s about all for now.
Ø Please give/send my regards to…
Ø Please convey my warm regards to…. Ø Let me pen off here.
Ø Take care of yourself.
Ø Hope to hear from you soon.
Ø I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon. Ø Hope to receive a reply from you.
Ø Bye / Goodbye.
Signing off
If you are writing to your parents, you can sign ofusing: Ø Your loving daughter,
Ø Yours lovingly,
Ø Yours affectionately
If you are writing to friends or relatives, you can sign off using: Ø Your friend,
Ø Yours sincerely, Ø Yours faithfully,
Ø Your niece / nephew,
Sign your name at the bottom of the letter in the right- hand corner.
For example: Nuurunnuha
To inform an authority of something important.
More lively
Respectful
Ask them how they are doing/invite them to events.
Depends on the question.
People in position.
Friends/Family
To catch up with a friend.
INFORMAL LETTERS
FORMAL LETTERS