Formal Letter Writing in English: A Comprehensive Guide
This page provides a detailed overview of writing formal letters in English, essential for students preparing for exams like the Matura. It covers key components such as greetings, phrases, and letter structure.
Greetings in Formal Letters
The guide begins by explaining proper salutations for formal letters:
- Dear Mr Smith formen
- Dear Ms Smith forwomen,maritalstatusunknown
- Dear Mrs Smith formarriedwomen
- Dear Sir/Madam whentherecipient′snameisunknown
Highlight: Using the correct salutation sets the tone for a professional and respectful letter.
Key Phrases for Formal Letters
The document lists several useful expressions for formal letter writing:
- "I'm writing in response to..."
- "According to..."
- "I would like to..."
- "I do agree/cannot agree..."
- "Considering..."
- "I believe that..."
- "I reckon that..."
- "I find..."
- "On one hand... On the other hand..."
Vocabulary: "Reckon" in this context means to think or suppose.
Expressing Opinions and Conclusions
The guide provides phrases for expressing support, opposition, and concluding thoughts:
- "I support..."
- "I oppose..."
- "To conclude..."
Example: "To conclude, I believe that implementing these changes would greatly benefit our community."
Letter Structure
The document outlines the basic structure of a formal letter:
- Greeting
- Introduction reasonforwriting,whoyouare
- Main body typicallytwoparagraphs
- Conclusion summary
- Closing Yourssincerely/Yoursfaithfully
Highlight: A well-structured letter enhances readability and professionalism.
Transition Words and Phrases
The guide lists important transition words to improve coherence:
- Moreover
- Furthermore
- What is more
- However
- Although
- In spite of
- Despite
- Because, as, since
- Therefore
- As a result
- Consequently
Definition: Transition words are used to connect ideas and improve the flow of writing.
Closing Remarks
The document emphasizes the importance of proper closings:
- "Yours sincerely," whenyouknowtherecipient′sname
- "Yours faithfully," whenyoudon′tknowtherecipient′sname
Highlight: Always include your name after the closing.