Letter Writing:Formal and Informal Letters|How to Write A Letter|Format, Sample, Tips of letter Writing
Hey, readers. Are you looking for an article that will elaborate the details of Letter writing? Don't worry. In this article we'll discuss How to Write a letter. The article deals with:
1. What is a letter writing?
2. Types of letters
3. Informal letter
4. Formal letters
5. FAQs on Letter writing & its types.
A. What is a letter?
A letter is a written form of communication. A letter can be written to family, friends, business officials, officers etc. Letter writing has been considered as one of the best written means of communication. There are different components that form a letter, which together can be called Letter writing format.
1. Sender's address
2. Date of writing the letter
3. Receiver's address
4. Greetings or salutations
5. Body of the letter
6. Subscription
7. Signature
These are the main parts of letter writing.
Whether it's a formal letter or an informal letter, the above mentioned elements must be included ,though in an informal letter there is no hard restrictions.
A.1. What is Sender's Address in a letter?
A sender in a letter is someone who sends a letter. In a letter the sender's name is written. The whole postal address should be mentioned so that the receiver understands who wrote to him/her.
A.2. What is date in a letter?
A date is very important in a letter. A date is written below the address of the sender. A date is written in various ways, like,
10th February,2022
22nd Jan, 2022
Feb 10,2022
04/01/2022
05-05-2022
A.3. What is a Receiver's Address in a letter?
The receiver's address is written just below the date (although in a formal letter it is avoided). The whole of the receiver shoukd be written just below the date. It clearly gives the idea to whom the letter is addressed.
A.4. What is Greetings in letter?
Greetings is also called salutations. A salutation is dependent upon many factors, particularly the relation of the sender with the receiver.
- If sender's relation to the receiver is informal, then greetings like Dear father, Dear mother, Dear friend, Dear Rahul etc are written.
A.5. Body of the letter. What is 'Body of a letter'?
A body of the letter is the most important part that forms the communication. It is the message that the sender passes to the receiver. The body of the letter is written keeping in mind different factors. In formal and informal letter, the body of the letter differ. The style that is used in a formal letter is very different from that of an informal letter, though there are many similarities between the two.
Things to keep in mind while writing the body of the letter:
- Your message should be meaningful.
- Divide your message into several paragraphs (more than one/two)
- Your arrangement of points should be logical.
- There should be an underlying coherence in the paragraphs.
- Mind your punctuation.
A.6. What is Subscription in letter writing?
A subscription is very important in a letter. A subscription forms the politeness of a letter. In different types of letters we follow different subscriptions. In an informal letter , subscriptions like, Yours Ever, Dear Yours, Your best friend, Your loving son, Your loving daughter etc. are written.
But, in a formal letter subscriptions like Yours Faithfully, Yours Sincerely, Yours Obediently etc. are used.
A.7. What is Signature in letter writing?
The sender should include his/her signature at the end. A signature gives a clear idea about the authenticity of the sender.
So we discussed the inseparable elements of a letter. Now, we will see what are the different types of letters?
B. Different Types Of Letters:Informal, Formal & Business Letters
As we have already seen the style and pattern of letter writing is not at all complicate. There are many similarities between different letters. But, what are the different types of letter?
It's very important to know about the different types of letters and their formats. Along with different types of letters, we have discussed the format, pattern and sample of Formal, Informal & Business Letters.
Primarily we can divide letters into two types:
1. Informal Letter. (To friends, family etc.) These are also called social letters.
2. Formal letters. (Formal Letter follows a formal pattern of letter writing. Formal letters include Business Letters, Enquiry Letters, Letter of Order, Job Application , Editorial Letters/Letters to editors etc.
First we'll discuss Informal Letters, Its Format & Example.
C. Informal Letter: Format, Sample
An informal letter is written to friends, family members, relatives. The style used in an inform letter is very colloquial and sometimes personal. That's why an informal letter is also called a Personal Letter.
An informal tone is used all through an informal letter. The sender can include his spontaneous thought in an informal letter. An informal letter is the best method of communication between two individuals in informal space. Although personal thoughts are expressed in an informal letter, it does not mean that the sender can write anything. Again, wrong punctuation, spelling mistakes must be avoided because these do not contribute to a good informal letter.
The structure of sender's address, date, greetings or salutations, body of the letters, subscription must be there in an informal letter.
C.1. Who can be addressed in an informal Letter?
Sender's family or friend or any relative
C.2. Format of an Informal Letter
An informal letter follows an informal style in tone and expression.
The format of an informal letter is given below.
33/A, Camack Street --------Sender's Address
Kolkata -700001
15th Nov,2022 -------- Date
Dear father, ---(Greetings or Salutations)
Introduction
Body of the letter
Conclusion
With love/regards, (Closing)
Yours ever,--------(Subscription)
Rahul --------(Signature)
C.3. Sample of Informal Letter: Informal Letter Sample Example
While writing an informal letter, the above mentioned format is to be followed. It is the easiest way of writing an informal letter.
Question 1.
Write a letter to your friend inviting him on your birthday party.
44 A, ABC Sarani, Ultadanga
Kolkata - 700001
15th November,2022
Dear Pinaki,
I hope this letter finds you in the pink of your health. It has been a long time since you visited us. Previous time you said your were busy. But now I am writing this letter with much hope and aspiration. And I believe this time you will surely come .
As you know that 21st November is my birthday, we are organizing a party in our house. Some of my friends have been invited along with neighbours and special guests. This year I'll turn 15. Arrangements have been planned. It will be an extra added fun if you join us. I have also asked my mom to cook my most preferred dish.
I earnestly wish that you will join the party and make it enjoyable. Waiting for your active presence.
With lots of love. Give regards to your parents.
Yours ever,
Mayukh
D. Now it's time to discuss Formal Letter, Its types, format and Sample
A formal letter is not like an informal letter. The pattern followed in a formal letter differs from an informal letter. Now you will ask, why? The answer is very simple.
A formal letter follows a formal pattern because it's formal.
D.1. What is a Formal Letter?
A formal letter has a definite purpose. A formal letter is written to ask for some information, or to make a query, or to express grievances, to suggest something, to express your views etc.
A formal letter is always crisp and concise. While drafting a formal letter, a few points must be taken into consideration. These Points are discussed below.
- The language used in a formal letter is polite and to some extent professional.
- While writing a formal letter, unlike an informal letter, 'Receiver's address', Subject line are added.
D.2. Formal Letter: Format and Sample
A formal letter follows a formal tone or a professional tone. Your language must be very professional. Your message must be given in a crisp way. Any personal emotion should be expressed here(Personal observations may be included although)
The following format is used in a formal letter.
D.3. Format of a formal letter: How to Write A Formal Letter
Sender's Address
Date
Receiver's Address
Subject:__________________
Dear Sir/Respected Sir/Madam, ----Greetings
Body of the Letter:
- Introduction of the issue
- Description of the issue
- Your suggestion/observation/query/views
- Conclusion
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully/Sincerely---- Subscription
Signature
After you have learned what format is used in a formal letter, it's time to check Sample of Formal Letter.
D.4. Who are addressed in a formal letter?
Your school/College principal/Business Officials/Municipality Chairman/Gram Pradhan/B.D.O/S.D.O/Editor of Newspaper etc.
D.5. Formal Letter Sample/Example
We'll follow the above pattern while writing a formal letter.
Question 1.
Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper complaining against the late running of Trains.
Answer:
ABC Sarani, Fakirpur
Birbhum, West Bengal
Pin-722208
November 15, 2022
The Editor
The Statesman
Kolkata -700001
Subject: The Late running of trains.
Respected Sir,
Allow me please to focus through the columns of your esteemed daily on the inconvenience created to the people on account of late running of trains.
Late running of trains has become a regular feature nowadays. The daily commuters are the worst sufferers. Thousands of daily passengers are late for office, schools and colleges. Many of them are compelled to cancel appoinments and miss important business programmes. Sometimes ailing patients cannnot be hospitalized in time on account of late running of trains. A late late or delayed means a lot of hardship to everyone. For the long-distance trains also, it is equally painful for the passengers. In spite of repeated assurance of the railway authorities, no improvement has taken place . On the contrary, the situation is drifting from bad to worse.
I hope that the authorities will come forward to mitigate the suffering of people by ensuring the trains in time .
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Bikash Chandra
**More Samples of Informal and formal letters will be provided soon.
E. FAQs on Letter writing & its types:
1. What is a letter writing?
A letter is a written form of communication. A letter is written to a friend or a family member, or any relative. Again Letters are written to officials, editors, ministers, companies etc.
2. What are the types of letter writing?
Letters are basically two types- Informal and formal. An informal letter is a personal letter.
A formal letter includes letters of order enquiry, editorial letters etc.
3. What is a formal letter?
A letter written following a formal pattern.
Formal letters are- letters to Headmaster/Headmistress, principal, editorials, business officials.
3. What is an informal letter?
An informal letter is a personal letter. It can be written withing our personal acquaintances.
4. What are the components of letter writing?
The components of a formal letter writing include Sender's Address, Date, Receiver's Address, Subject, greetings, body of the letter, subscription and signature.
On the other hand, the components of an informal letter writing include Sender's Address, date, greetings, body of the letter, Subscription and signature.
5. What are the steps to write a letter?
To write a letter you have to follow some simple steps.
1. First decide whom you're writing the letter.
2. Follow the above format of formal/informal letter(According to your need)
3. Organize what you want to convey through your letter.
4. Introduce your letter and after writing the main part/body close the letter
5. Give your signature.
6. What are the two types of letter?
Letters are of two types - Informal and Formal.
7. What is letter writing format?
To know letter writing format see the above pattern. The whole process of how to write a letter is mentioned there.
8. What is an editorial letter?
An editorial letter is a formal letter written to the editor of a newspaper. The sender seeks some reformation/improvement of the system through an editorial letter.
