Formal & Informal letter

Formal & Informal letter

DANI ARGILAGA DAUDER

Table of contents

Introduction

Formal vs. Informal

Formal & Informal structure

FL and IL Salutation & Ending

Letter vs. Email

1. Introduction

Formal and Informal letters are two ways of writing to someone in English, but it all depends on who you are writing to (the addressee). If you are writing to a friend or a member of your family, your way of writing would be more informal because the message would include some words that we normally use in an informal context. On the other hand, if you are writing to your headmaster/headmistress or to another company, the register would be more formal because of the context. *Neutral Letter = letter addressed to someone the writer knows but is not a friend, so both colloquialisms and formal language would be inappropiate.

2. formal vs. Informal

INFORMAL

Formal

• There is a specific way of starting and finishing/ending the message.
• We do not use contractions or colloquial vocabulary either.
• We use polite words / expressions (with would, conditionals, and could mostly).
• According to what you want to say, the message would be different but always formal.

• There is a specific way of starting and finishing/ending the message.
• We can use contractions and colloquial vocabulary.
• We use informal words / expressions that fit within the context.
• The message does not contain any important information*.

4. FORMAL LETTER - Salutation

Dear Sir or Madam,

Dear Mrs X,

Dear Mr X,

Dear Sir/ Madam,

4. INFORMAL LETTER - Salutation

Good morning X,

Hi there X,

Hi X,

Hello X,

4. FORMAL LETTER - ENDING

Yours sincerely,

Kind regards,

Yours truly,

Yours faithfully,

4. INFORMAL LETTER - ENDING

See you soon,

Cheers, / Best,

Bye,

Bye for now,

5. Letter writing vs. email writing

LETTER WRITING

• Two individuals: recipient and sender
• Read by people used to reading standard written English.
• Structure and format (formal / business)
• Passive tone = the addressee is a superior (= no commands or insisting)

5. Letter writing vs. email writing

EMAIL WRITING

• From line (name or email address): if it was a familiar one, the reader would open the email. Otherwise, it would depend on the subject line.
• Distribution list:

a) From = the person who sends the message b) To = the person who receives the message c) CC = Those who would receive a copy and are identified as getting one (carbon copy) d) BCC = To include those that the sender doesn't want the recevier to know who else would see the message (blind carbon copy)

5. Letter writing vs. email writing

EMAIL WRITING

• Subject line: it should contain a few words that would spark the interest of the reader. It should grab the receiver's attention.
• Message: The most relevant information should be included here.
• Attachments / Attached files: All documents enclosed within the message.