Writing a formal letter is part and parcel of everyday life. Adults need to write letters in many contexts – to apply for a job, to resolve disputes, to perform certain functions in said job – the uses of a formal letter are many. With our regular, intensive English tuition classes, WRITERS AT WORK students not only learn to use proper grammar, develop their vocabulary, but also how to utilize strong sentence structures to write professional, formal letters that will be useful throughout their lives.
What is a Formal Letter?
When Should You Send a Formal Letter?
- Job applications
- Resigning from a job
- Formally requesting or asking for something from a company
- Complaining to an authority
- Communicating with the government
- Doing business
- Writing to individuals you do not know personally
What are the Components of a Formal Letter?
1. Header
2. Salutation
3. Body Paragraphs
4. Closing statement
5. Signature
How to Write a Formal Letter?
1. Plan what you need to say
Before you start writing, you should plan what you need to say. It is important that you do not ramble or go on irrelevant tangents in your letter. Writing a short plan will be helpful to you.
2. Have a proper format to start
4. Develop the body paragraphs
5. Have an effective conclusion
You should summarise your letter’s main points and clearly state any action that you want the recipient to do, such as reply by a certain date. You should finish with “Sincerely” and sign it.
Make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors in your formal letter – there is nothing more unprofessional than seeming like you did not bother to run your letter through spell check.
Things to Avoid in a Formal Letter
1. You should not sound too casual
A formal letter should be directed to a person or organisation who deserves the utmost respect. The tone should not be the same as if you were speaking to a friend. You should be respectful and direct in your communication – there is no need for pleasantries such as “how are you”.
2. You should not used outdated contact information
3. You should not be vague about the purpose of the letter
Formal Letter Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your email address]
[Your phone number]
[Date]
[Recipient’s Name]
[Recipient’s Title and Position if applicable]
[Recipient’s Company if applicable]
[Recipient’s Address]
Dear [Recipient’s Name],
[Opening paragraph: Introduce yourself and state the purpose of your letter. Provide any relevant background information or necessary context.]
[Body paragraphs: Use topic sentences to introduce the main ideas of your letter. Elaborate on additional details relevant to your purpose for writing.]
[Closing paragraph: Summarize the key points, express appreciation or interest, and directly state any desired follow-up actions.]
Sincerely,
[Your Printed Name]
[Your Typed Signature]
Example of a Formal Letter
John Smith
Senior Teacher
Writers at Work
Clementi, Singapore
Jane Doe
351D Cane Street
S819874
Dear Mrs. Doe,
I would like to seek your cooperation so we can work together to ensure that Jasper has a smooth runway to the PSLE exams. I think that it would be beneficial if you would be able to pick up a copy of the Model Compositions book that we have and go through the contents with Jasper at home. It would be beneficial for Jasper to see the standard that is expected of him for the final stretch of the journey towards leaving Primary School.
Please feel free to contact me via email at johnsmith@writersatwork.com if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Remember – English is not just something you learn in school and be done with. Mastering the English language has many positive benefits not only as a student, but in all areas of life. WRITERS AT WORK teachers provide guidance and instruction to aid students in accumulating these literacy skills for adulthood and enter the working world ready.
Master the English Language with WRITERS AT WORK!
At WRITERS@WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. W@W reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how W@W makes a difference, feel free to explore our website and watch our YouTube videos!
If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS@WORK has expanded to 9 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS@WORK!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is Creative Writing in Primary School?
In primary school, creative writing starts from using pictures to develop a coherent storyline. Students will learn how to use key phrases to build tension and develop a satisfying conclusion. The plots of the stories crafted at the primary school level are usually simple and have a central conflict which is usually resolved at the end of the story. Students will need to use good grammar and appropriate vocabulary to describe the things they see in the pictures when writing.
2. What is an Enrichment Class in English?
An enrichment class allows your child to not only learn the basics of the mechanics of English such as good grammar and sentence structure, but it also teaches your child to appreciate the nuances of the English language. Students in an English enrichment class will learn skills like inference and critical reading – these skills are highly important even when students graduate out of school and go into higher education or the working world, as it will teach them to process and filter information to determine what is being said and evaluate the veracity of the information.
3. What Does a Writing Specialist Teach?
A writing specialist teaches your child how to formulate sentences in a logical manner. Writing has various contexts, and if the assignment is a narrative essay, there are certain requirements such as a well thought-out plot, fleshed-out characters, and a good denouement. There are other types of essays a student will learn in his lifetime, such as an argumentative essay, expository essay, and descriptive writing, which all require different skill sets learned during class.
4. How Does My Child Benefit From Writing Classes?
