Formal Letter

How many letters have you written so far? (friendly, business/formal)

Exploring Text Types

Formal Letter

INDEX

Word Bank

Concept

Objectives

Vocabulary

Key Features

Text

Closure

Understand the key elements of letter writing

Develop skills for writing letters of complaint or letters to the editor.

WORD BANK

greeting

direct opening

call to action

salutation

concise argument

Key Features Explained

AddressesWrite your own address first, followed by the address of the person to whom you are writing. This can be written top left or top right.

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Date There are different formats for writing the date. Any of these can be used. 28 August 202028th of August 2020August 28th 2020

Greetings

With a letter to the editor, it is important to remain formal. 'Hi' would not be appropriate.

Dear Mr. ...or Ms... To whom it may concern, To the editor,

Direct Opening

Explain why you are writing your letter. You should make the point clearly at the beginning. The reader might not want to read the rest of your letter if you do not state your main point from the start.

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In some cultures, it is not polite to be very direct when stating your purpose.

With regards to formal letters in the English-speaking world, however, it is important to state very clearly why you are writing and what you want the reader to do in response (call to action).

Concise Argument

Letters to the editor tend to be short (200-300 words). Make an effective argument in the second paragraph, explaining why the editor should care about the complaint. Refer to the stimulus text in the book. page 274

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Call to Action

What should the editor do after reading your letter? Offer the editor a solution.

'I kindly ask you to pull the ad from all media.'

Salutation and signature

There is no need to be original or especially creative. 'Kind regards' is very business-like. Be sure to write your name in full below your signature.

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CONTEXT

Who is the writer?

Who

Why have they written this letter?

Why

Who is the reader?

Who

When was it written?

When

Page 276

How could you improve it?

What's wrong with text 6.2?

Activity 1.1

What is wrong with Text 6.2?

Page 276

Write an improved version of the letter to the editor complaining about Barnardo's advertisement. Apply what you know about the key features of this text type.

Activity 1.2

Sharing Time

English B

Formal Letter

You have just heard someone speak about the effect of technology on human relationships. She has made claims that younger generations are addicted to their devices, disappointed by their career choices, and self-absorbed by social media. Write a letter to the speaker in which you agree or disagree with her point of view. Feel free to refer to examples from your own life experiences, where relevant.

450-600 words

Include the key features