Letter Writing

Letter Writing

Published in 2006 by
Junior Certificate School Programme Support Service
Curriculum Development Unit
Sundrive Road
Crumlin
Dublin 12
Phone:
Fax:
Email:

01 453 5487
01 402 0435
jcsp@iol.ie

First written and published by teachers involved in the School Certificate Project, CDVEC Curriculum
Development Unit 1989.
Revised and edited by Fiona Richardson, Junior Certificate School Programme 2006.
Designed by Melt Design Ltd www.melt.ie.
The Junior Certificate School Programme Support Service is funded by the In-Career Development Unit,
Department of Education and Science and the European Social Fund.
The Junior Certificate School Programme Support Service is a national Programme sponsored by the
Department of Education and Science and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.

Letter Writing

Contents

Introduction

Section 1:

Section 2:

Section 3:

Informal Letters & Postcards

Informal letters

Addressing envelopes

12

Postcards

14

Formal Letters

Letters of complaint

26

Letters asking for information

31

Letters making a booking

34

Letters of application

37

Curriculum Vitae

42

Keywords

Abbreviations

47

Quiz

48

Wordsearch

49

Word Grid

49

Junior Certificate School Programme

Letter Writing

Introduction
This booklet is about writing letters. People can tell a lot from the way you write letters,
so you will need to practice writing many kinds of letters.

Most of the letters you will need to write will be:

Informal or personal letters

Formal Letters for example:

Business letters
Job application letters

This workbook will give you a chance to write all of these.

How to use this book

There are three sections. Each section shows you how to write a different kind of letter.

There is a sample letter, followed by exercises for you to do.

Write each letter in your copy first. When you and your teacher have corrected it,
you can copy it carefully into the blank page provided in this book.

When you finish the workbook you will have your own collection of letters to look
back on when you need to revise.

Letter Writing

Introduction

Rules for all letters

*

It is important that your handwriting be neat and clear.

The writer's address is written in the top right-hand corner.

Leave a space between the address and date.

Spell out the month in full, e.g. 15th February 2006

Begin the letter Dear . . . . , on the left-hand side.

The first paragraph of the letter begins under the person's name.

A formal letter usually ends with either:

Yours sincerely, or
Yours faithfully,

Followed by your signature. (Note: 'Yours', always begins with a capital letter,
but 'sincerely' and 'faithfully' begin with a small letter.

Always use plain unlined paper and the same colour envelopes.
A large size writing pad is best for most letters.

Write your letter in blue or black pen only.

Revise the rules for using capital letters.

Always use paragraphs when writing a letter.

All of these rules are shown on the sample layout on the next page.

After you write out your letter in the workbook or in your copy check back
here to see you have followed all the rules for letter writing.

Junior Certificate School Programme

Section 1
Informal Letters & Postcards

Letter Writing

Informal Letters & Postcards

Section 1

Informal or personal letters are those you write to people you know friends, cousins,
aunts, uncles, etc.

Formal Letters

Section 2

Informal letters should be friendly, chatty and relaxed as though you're talking to
the person.

You sign an informal or personal letter using phrases like Best Wishes, Love,
Yours truly, Lots of love etc.

Formal Letters

Section 2

You must, however, obey the rules for all letters. Look back at page 2 and check
these out.

Look at the example of an informal letter below and do the exercises

Formal Letters
Section 2
that follow.

Your address

The date

Dear Jim,

rk,
46 Riverview Pa
Glentown,
Keywords
Section
Dublin 23. 3
008
15th February 2

reeting
The opening g

ded to
for ages so I deci
ou
y
en
se
ot
n
ave
in Wicklow? I h
Paragraph 1
.
n
w
How are things
to
n
le
from G
ou all the news
y
ve
gi
d
n
a
te
ri
w
e
have reached th
e
W
.
n
so
a
se
is
well th
left is great.
m is doing really
ou
a
y
te
er
ll
ft
ba
a
ot
t
fo
go
e
e
h
w
T
eeper
. The new goalk
up
C
Paragraph 2
e
th
of
l
a
.
n
fi
es
h
tc
a
semim
e
thre
a goal in the last
He has not let in
aybe I
ow an uncle. M
n
m
a
I
so
,
rl
gi
baby
a, has just had a
then I can come
d
n
a
g
n
ti
it
-s
My sister, Sandr
by
from ba
Paragraph 3
ke some money
a
m
to
e
bl
a
be
will
in to visit you.
down on the tra
s.
know all the new
e
m
t
le
d
n
a
on
Write so
Your friend,

The closing

Martin

Your signature

Junior Certificate School Programme

Letter Writing

Informal letters exercises

1

In your copy write your own address and today's date as you would write it on a letter.

Write the following addresses and dates as they would be written on a letter:
Remember capital letters, commas and fullstops.
Address:
65 shamrock court mounthill limerick

6-4-06

valeview shadowlands mallow co. cork

28-9-06

125 st. patricks crescent doddermount dublin 22

17-2-06

Write your own signature as you would write it at the end of a letter.

Write out these endings as they would be written at the end of a letter.
Use capital letters and commas.
best wishes tom
lots of love margaret

Date:

Letter Writing

Informal Letters & Postcards

Section 1

Look at the following letter and rewrite correctly using capital letters, commas,
and full stops. There are 14 mistakes you need to correct! (9 capital letter, 4 commas
Formal Letters
Section 2
and 1 fullstop).

Formal Letters

12 tulip road
flowertown 2
Section
dublin 20

08
6th february 20
Formal Letters
Section 2
dear sally

is quite
Cork? Our class
in
l
oo
h
sc
ew
n
r
achers are 3
ling down in you
Keywords
Section
All the te
.
rt
a
st
a
r
How are you sett
fo
r
iete
left. It's much qu
ou
y
ce
n
si
t
en
er
diff
!
remarking on it
e in today with
m
ca
e
rn
y
B
.
rs
hen M
ears!
st yesterday. W
te
h
is
gl
ming out of her
En
co
n
e
a
d
ok
sm
y
rl
We ha
ea
was n
as so mad there
w
e
sh
s
lt
su
re
e
th
mps,
lly down in the du
a
re
is
il
h
P
.
up
ve split
Sandra Byrne ha
down to the club
d
g
n
in
a
go
in
ll
rt
a
a
re
M
a
il
e
h
P
form. W
body is in great
y
er
ev
e
is
on't be with us.
w
w
er
ou
h
y
ty
pi
but ot
a
's
ht. It
tre on Friday nig
en
C
s
rt
po
S
e
th
in
ow.
k. Goodbye for n
or
C
ut
bo
a
ll
a
us
tell
Write soon and
love
joe.

Pretend that you are Sally. Reply to Joe's letter above telling him all about life in your
new school in Cork.

Pretend you are Phil Martin. Write to Sally telling her all about your break-up with
Sandra Byrne.

Junior Certificate School Programme

Letter Writing

Letter of invitation
1

Read Sallys letter below and write a letter back, letting her know if you can make the
party or not. Use the blank paper on the opposite page to write your reply.

2 West Road,
Violetville,
Cork.
008
25th February 2

Dear Joe,

I am
in our new house
d
le
tt
se
ve
a
h
e
w
Cork! Now that
Greetings from
te.
party to celebra
g
in
rm
a
-w
se
ou
having a h
l
of my new schoo
e
m
so
d
n
a
lin
ub
om D
e of the gang fr
I am inviting som
k.
friends from Cor
come down on
ot
n
y
h
W
.
rd
h
rc
a
,3 M
n to
pm on Saturday
9
t
a
s
n
Sandra and Bria
gi
ed
be
sk
n
a
fu
ve
a
The
h
I
d?
ken
stay for the wee
Friday night and
stay over also.
d
7.30pm. My da
t
a
k
or
C
in
es
iv
nd arr
lin at 4.15pm a
ub
D
s
ve
a
le
in
a
tr
The
the station.
will meet you at
if you can come.
le
ib
ss
po
s
a
on
so
Let me know as
Love,
Sally.

10

Letter Writing

Informal Letters & Postcards

Section 1

Write your reply here using Joes address from page 8.

Formal Letters

Section 2

Formal Letters

Section 2

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

You have been asked to your cousin Paul's 21st birthday party on Friday 15th April at
9pm. In your copy write your reply letting him know if you are going or not.

You have just spent the weekend with your friend in the country. Write a letter
thanking him/her, in your copy.

You have just received a very expensive birthday present from your godmother.
In your copy write and thank her.

Your class tutor is sick in hospital. Write a letter to her/him on behalf of the class.
Dont forget to give the news and gossip.

Junior Certificate School Programme

11

Letter Writing

Addressing an envelope
Look at the following envelope and note where the address goes and the use of capital
letters, commas and full stops.

ere
r the stamp h
leave room fo

ame
the persons n
the town

h y,
Ms. S a ll y Mu rp
2 We st R o ad ,
Vio le t v il le ,
C o rk .

f the house
the number o
name
and the street
the county

This letter is addressed incorrectly. Using the blank envelope on the next page rewrite
the address correctly. There are 8 capital letters missing, 3 commas and 1 fullstop.

m r. jo e o b r ie n
14 h il l s t re e t
we s t p o rt
m ayo

12

Letter Writing

Informal Letters & Postcards

Section 1

Remember to put the address and the stamp in the correct place on the envelope.

Formal Letters

Section 2

Formal Letters

Section 2

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

Address the envelope below to yourself.

Junior Certificate School Programme

13

Letter Writing

Postcards
There are two types of postcards:
plain postcards
*
picture postcards
*

Plain postcard can be used for short messages. For example:

to send for an application form. You would include your name and address on
*
the postcard.
to enter a competition. You would include your contact details phone number
*
or address.
to remind somebody of an appointment or a meeting.
*

Picture postcards are often used to send greetings when you are on holidays. The message
is usually fairly short and friendly.
Leave out:
your own address
*
the date
*

Plain Postcards
This is the back of a plain card, asking for an application form.

Your address

The date

rm fo r th e su
n a pp licati o n fo

a
P le a se se n d me
ri ng .
in mo u n ta inee

Jame s Bro w n

ve,
46 Re d way G ro
Bro o k fie ld ,
Dubli n 11.
08
4th M a rch 20

mmer co u rs e

looking for.
what you are
g
in
in
la
p
ex
e
A lin

Your signature

You address the front of the plain postcard the same way as an envelope, leaving room for
the stamp.
14

Letter Writing

Informal Letters & Postcards

Section 1

Formal Letters

Section 2

Exercise
1

Send for a job application form for a summer job in a local clothes shop on the
postcard below.

Formal Letters

Section 2

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

Send for information on photography courses this college runs.

Information Officer
Marion College of Further Education
Fairview
Dublin 3
Write out the front and the back of the postcard in your copy.

Write a postcard to the members of your youth club, reminding them of a meeting on
Friday 21st June, in St Josephs School at 7pm.

Junior Certificate School Programme

15

Letter Writing

Picture Postcards
Picture postcards are usually sent to friends and relatives letting them know how your
holiday or trip is going.

Greetings All!
Arrived safely.
er are
Hotel and weath
king on the tan.
wonderful. Wor
l but Ill live!
The food is awfu

y,
Th e Do y le Fam il
t,
23 M a in Stree
Ba ldo y le ,
C o. C la re .

st.

1
See you on the 2
Love, Pat

Exercise
1

16

Write the postcard you would send home to your family from a school trip to a hostel
in Wicklow.

Letter Writing

Informal Letters & Postcards

Section 1

Write the postcard you would send to your friend from a camping holiday with
your family.

Formal Letters

Section 2

Formal Letters

Section 2

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

Write the postcard you would send to your brother or sister from a holiday with your
friends family in Spain.

Junior Certificate School Programme

17

Section 2
Formal Letters

18

Letter Writing

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

Formal letters
Formal letters are business like and get quickly to the point. Formal letters are different to
personal letters. You do not write in a chatty manner or use slang. For example, you would
write a different letter to your Principal inviting him to your class JCSP graduation as you
would to your friend.

Formal letters are usually written for some of the following:

To
To
To
To
To
To
To
To

apply for a job.

make a complaint.
order goods.
the editor of a newspaper.
ask for something a form, an appointment.
ask for information.
make a booking for a holiday etc.
invite someone to an event or to visit such as a school open day or a JCSP celebration.

Points to note:

The sender's address (your address), is on the top right hand corner.

The address of the company/person to whom the letter is being sent is written on
the left-hand side.

When you do not know the name of the person to whom you are writing,
you may start with 'Dear Sir/Madam'.

If you begin with 'Dear Sir/Madam', you end the letter with 'Yours faithfully',
and your full name.

If you know the name of the person you are sending the letter to e.g. Dear Ms Smith,
you end the letter with Yours sincerely and your full name.

Remember to use capital letters, full stops and commas.

Use paragraphs in your letter at least 3.

Look at the following example and try the exercises that follow.

Junior Certificate School Programme

19

Letter Writing

Your address

The date

venue,
65 Roselawn A
Riverside,
Dublin 19.
6th May 2008

erson
dress of the p
The name & ad u are writing to
yo
and company

rtment,
Mail Order Depa
Unisport Ltd.,
dustrial Estate,
26B Ardmore In
Hightown,
Co. Cork.
,
Dear Sir/Madam

of the
ow the name
kn
t
n
o
d
u
yo
Sir/Madam
If
writing to use
e
ar
u
yo
n
so
per

tised in today's
er
dv
a
ou
y
h
ic
h
ers, w
riting
r a pair of train
de
ason you are w
or
re
to
e
e
th
lik
e
iv
ld
g
ou
1
Iw
In paragraph
'.
ld
a
er
H
'Evening
5.
tal Order for m2
os
P
a
e
os
cl
en
I
.
t of
ainers, size five
tr
the main poin
te
of
ri
ir
w
pa
u
a
yo
e
2
m
Please send
In paragraph
the letter

e without delay.
m
to
t
n
the letter
se
be
n
ers ca
p and finishes
in
u
a
s
tr
m
e
su
th
h
t
p
a
ra
th
g
I hope
This last para
ow the
,
Yours faithfully
Mark Black.

20

Letter Writing

do not kn
you use if you
g
in
d
en
e
th
This is
ting
m you are wri
person to who
Your signature

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

Exercise
1

Rewrite the letter below on the opposite page, using paragraphs (3) and the capital letters
that are missing (11).

17 manor drive,
castletown,
co. longford.
th
june 14 2008

The Manager,
Jeans World,
Castletown,
Co. Longford.
,
Dear sir/madam

ok
shop. When I to
r
ou
y
in
s
n
a
je
vi
th I bought a pair of Le
e shop
9
e
n
Ju
,
went back to th
y
I
a
id
g.
n
Fr
si
is
On
m
e
er
sw
a
I noticed 2 button
ge the jeans for
n
a
ch
ex
to
t
n
the jeans home
ta
op assis
rfect
nd asked the sh
a
t
ip
ce
re
the jeans were pe
e
id
th
sa
h
e
h
S
wit
d.
se
fu
re
ot damaged. She
nce leaving the
si
d
ge
a
m
da
en
pair that were n
had be
sewn on
ld and said they
so
e
er
w
ey
s had never been
th
on
en
tt
bu
wh
t
a
th
n
would have show
in the factory.
ed
en
pp
a
h
d
shop. A quick look
a
h
that
ost likely a fault
ge or my money
m
n
a
s
a
ch
w
ex
it
n
t
a
a
r
th
fo
d
an
nd wish
as a consumer a
le.
ts
gh
ri
y
m
on
as soon as possib
ss
I insist
re
dd
a
ve
bo
a
tact me at the
back. Please con
yours faithfully,

jeanne murphy

Junior Certificate School Programme

21

Letter Writing

Write out the the letter from page 19 here.

22

Letter Writing

Formal Letters

Section 2

Look at the advert below. On the opposite page write a letter to the Mail Order
Department asking for a tracksuit to be sent to you. Remember to include the colour
Keywords
Section 3
and size you are looking for.

Junior Certificate School Programme

23

Letter Writing

Write your letter here using your own address.

24

Letter Writing

Formal Letters

Section 2

On the envelope below address the envelope for the letter you have written ordering a
tracksuit. Look back at the advert for the address.

Keywords

Section 3

Pick out an advertisement for goods in a newspaper or magazine like Buy and Sell
and write a letter ordering something you like.

Write a letter to your local shop asking them to order a magazine you would like to be
able to buy there.

Junior Certificate School Programme

25

Letter Writing

Letters of complaint
Another type of formal letter which you may have to write is a letter of complaint.
You will need this kind of letter if you have bought faulty goods, or you have a complaint
over a certain issue or topic.
Remember always to include all the important details of your complaint.

Letter of complaint faulty goods

venue,
65 Roselawn A
Riverside,
Dublin 19.

Your address

1st June 2008

The date

epartment,
Mail Ordering D
Unisport Ltd.,
dustrial Estate,
26B Ardmore In
Hightown,
Co. Wicklow.
,
Dear Ms. Smith

e writing to
person you ar
r
o
t
en
tm
ar
Dep
to
u are writing
The address yo

The greeting

Order from your

il
a
M
by
t
h
ug
bo
suit I
R.
aint about a track
pl
m
co
a
el number 324S writing
e
k
od
a
m
m
e,
z
si
ll
a
I wish to
sm
,
u are
cksuit
th. It is a red tra paragraph 1 give the reason yo
on
m
st
la
y
n
pa
m
In
co
ions on
g to the instruct
n
di
or
cc
a
it
ed
sh
d
I wa
e tracksuit and
e colour had fade
th
e,
in
ch
a
m
g
in
My son wore th
e wash
I took it out of th
en
h
W
l.
be
la
e
th
ger fits my son.
n
lo
o
n
plaint
It
.
k
n
ru
d sh
a
h
ail of your com
it
et
d
su
e
ck
th
a
e
tr
iv
e
g
2
and th
it
In paragraph
place the tracksu
re
to
ou
y
e
lik
ld
nd I wou
as possible what
unsatisfactory a
t
on
os
so
m
s
a
is
th
ow
d
n
k
un
I fo
t me
ey back. Please le
on
m
y
m
at you
ve
a
h
e
graph say wh
or let m
ra
a
p
st
,
la
er
e
tt
a
In th
about this m
happen
you intend to do
would like to
sons name
Yours sincerely,
Mary Black

26

Letter Writing

e per
if you know th
g
in
d
en
is
th
Use
Your signature

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

Exercise
1

You have bought a pair of trainers which are faulty the sole of the trainer has become
unglued after one day. In your copy, write a letter of complaint to the company/shop
from which you bought it, giving all the details and asking them to replace or refund
your money.

You have recently bought a 3-in-1 stereo set from Murphy Electrical Stores, Talbot
Street, Dublin 1. It has broken down and Murphy's have repaired it once. Now the CD
part of it is broken and you would like a new one but Murphy's have refused to give you
one. You have decided to write to the manufacturers/makers of the stereo to complain.
(a) Write out your final version of one of these letters on the following blank page.
Remember to use capital letters, full stops and commas. Also use at least 3 paragraphs
in your letter.
(b) Write to the manufacturer: Sonny Electronics Ltd., Newtown Road, Finglas,
Dublin 11, and include these details:
Name of shop where you bought it
Date you bought it
Model number (WVF 200GB/34)
What is wrong with it
What you want them to do

Junior Certificate School Programme

27

Letter Writing

28

Letter Writing

Formal Letters

Section 2

Another type of letter of complaint could be about an issue or topic that you are concerned
about.

Keywords

Section 3

Letter of complaint Issue or Topic

venue,
65 Roselawn A
Riverside,
Dublin 19.
1st June 2008
ng,
Minister Pat Lo
Lenister House,
Dublin 2.
Dear Minister,

This
Park playground.
e
it
h
W
in
ty
fe
ns sa
nd dirty for the
you about childre
a
to
us
g
ro
n
ti
ge
n
ri
w
da
is
m
a
I
a but it
to be a safe are
t
n
ea
m
is
d
n
ou
playgr
are writing
ying why you
e.
sa
er
h
p
th
ra
y
a
ag
pl
ar
p
o
h
children w
The opening
to
used it as a place
ve
a
h
rs
ge
a
en
of te
y little
e months a gang
re
th
st
la
ould not want m
e
w
th
I
r
s.
Fo
le
tt
bo
en
rubbish and brok
meet. It is full of
plaint
is so dangerous.
it
s
a
ce
a
ail of your com
pl
et
e
d
th
e
r
th
ea
n
es
iv
go
g
h
brother to
This paragrap
til it
the playground un
in
ed
w
llo
a
be
ld not
otice is
ng children shou
pervised and a n
su
be
I think that you
ld
ou
sh
d
n
4up. The playgrou
by children aged
ed
us
be
to
has been cleaned
ly
on
d is
see happen
at the playgroun
would like to
u
yo
at
h
w
needed saying th
ys
h sa
This paragrap
.
rs
ea
10 y
to
d I look forward
n
a
on
ti
a
tu
si
e
ove th
er
n be done to impr
ca
g
in
h
et
m
hes off the lett
is
so
n
e
fi
h
p
I hop
ra
ag
ar
The final p
.
hearing from you
Yours sincerely,

Joe Ryan

ow the
d when you kn g to
se
u
is
g
in
d
en
ritin
This
son you are w
er
p
e
th
f
o
e
nam

Your signature

Junior Certificate School Programme

29

Letter Writing

Exercise

30

Address the envelope for the letter written on the previous page.

Write a letter to your Principal telling him/her of a bullying situation in the school that
you know about. Tell him/her what has happened, how long it is going on for and
what you think is needed to improve the situation.

Write a letter to your local politician asking for more bins to be put in your area to
improve the litter problem.

Write a letter to your favourite radio station asking them to have less stories of teenagers
behaving badly and more about the good things teenagers do in their communities.

Letter Writing

Formal Letters

Section 2

Other formal letters that you can write are to organisations or companies looking for information.

Keywords

Letter asking for information

Section 3

Drive,
23 Glendalough
Rathnew,
Co. Wicklow.
8
12th May 200

ice,
Information Off
An ige,
quare,
39, Mountjoy S
Dublin 1.
,
Dear Sir/Madam

and. I am fifteen
el
Ir
in
ls
te
os
h
youth
of
formation about
in
e
m
so
e
ls with a group
lik
te
ld
os
h
e
th
I wou
of
e
som
ould like to visit
years old and I w
mer.
friends this sum
bership fees and
em
m
of
ils
ta
de
s, with
e the
application form
x
si
e
m
d
p showing wher
n
a
se
m
a
se
e
lik
Plea
o
ls
a
would
ing in hostels. I
the cost of stay
ted.
hostels are situa
.
hearing from you
to
rd
a
rw
fo
g
in
Look
,
Yours faithfully
Pat Clarke.

Junior Certificate School Programme

31

Letter Writing

Exercise
1

Write a letter to Redrock Adventure Centre, Castletown, Co. Galway, asking for
information about summer courses for young people. Explain what kind of course you
are interested in (football, basketball, canoeing, sailing, rock climbing etc.) and the
cost. Also look for information on places to stay near the Adventure Centre.

You are the secretary of your local youth club. They have asked you to find out about
taking a group of ten people on a cycling tour of Co. Wicklow, staying at three different
hostels. Write to the Information Office, An ige, 39 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1,
asking for information about hostels in Wicklow, and about group rates.
Use the blank page to write our your final version of one of these letters.

32

Letter Writing

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

Junior Certificate School Programme

33

Letter Writing

Sometimes you might need to write a letter to make a booking for a trip or a concert.

Letter making a booking

Drive,
23 Glendalough
Rathnew,
Co. Wicklow.
8
24th May 200

Booking Office,
An ige,
quare,
39 Mountjoy S
Dublin 1.
,
Dear Sir/Madam

close
ou sent me. I en
y
h
ic
h
w
g
n
lli
te
hos
e information on
embership fees
th
m
r
r
fo
ve
co
ou
y
to
k
n
er
a
h
rd
T
tal O
forms and a Pos
on
ti
a
lic
pp
a
ed
et
compl
and myself.
for five friends
June
Youth Hostel for
e
re
k
oc
n
K
in
ation
d
book accommod
are available, an
ts
h
ig
n
e
es
th
t
a
We would like to
rm th
th, 2008. Please confi
th
6
d
th
n
a
5
4 ,
ly.
yment immediate
I will send on pa
tel.
stay at your hos
r
ou
to
rd
a
rw
Looking fo
,
Yours faithfully

Pat Clarke.

34

Letter Writing

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

Exercise
1

You have received a brochure from the Oaktree Hotel, Marigold Street, London EX12.
Write a letter booking accommodation for your family of two adults and three children.
You will be staying for one week and would like bed and breakfast only. Send a deposit
to confirm your booking.

An ige have sent you the information you asked for. Write to them, booking
accommodation for your group. You will be staying for one night in each of the
following hostels:

*
*
*

Glencree Hostel
Aughavannagh Hostel
Glendalough Hostel.

Copy out one of these letters neatly on the blank page opposite.

Junior Certificate School Programme

35

Letter Writing

36

Letter Writing

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

Letters of application
*

It is very important to be able to write a good letter when you are applying for a job.
This kind of letter is called a letter of application.

Sometimes you will have to fill in an application form, but at other times you will be
asked to write a letter.

Many people send a Curriculum Vitae, or CV for short, with a letter of application.

A CV gives all the basic details about you and means your letter of application can be
quite short.

If you have not prepared a Curriculum Vitae/CV, you will need to give all the important
details about yourself in your letter.

These are important things which an employer needs to know about you.

age.
school attended.
educational record.
work experience.
any special skills.
hobbies or interests.
have you got references?
are you available for interview?

Junior Certificate School Programme

37

Letter Writing

Letter of application (1) Sample (without CV)

Your address

ve,
63 Glenwood Dri
Brooklawn,
Glentown,
Dublin 22.
26th June 2008

The date

The Manager,
e,
Mac's Superstor
Red Lane,
Dublin 8.
,
Dear Sir/Madam

title of the
The name or
e writing to
person you ar
to
u are writing
The address yo

Greeting

the
t as advertised in
n
ta
is
ss
a
op
sh
riting
r the position of
why you are w
graph saying
ra
I wish to apply fo
Pa
on 25th June.
'
ld
a
er
H
g
in
n
ve
'E
r in Brooklawn
ea
y
d
ir
th
ed
et
pl
just com
te. My strongest
rs old, and have
ca
ea
fi
y
ti
n
er
ee
C
ft
r
fi
io
n
m
Ju
a
I
ed the
lentown. I receiv
G
,
ge
le
ol
nd Metalwork. tion
C
a
y
s
it
ic
un
om
on
Ec
Comm
e
cs, Hom
t your educa
glish, Mathemati
rmation abou
En
fo
e
In
er
w
ts
ec
bj
su
arket where I
rm
pe
su
l
ca
lo
a
job in
had a part-time
ve
a
h
I
r,
ea
.
y
st
For the pa
g with the public
in
k
or
w
of
ce
en
ork experience
e experi
ut your job/w
o
ab
n
have gained som
io
at
rm
Info
member of my
a
m
a
I
g.
in
cl
cy
and
imming, athletics
sw
re
a
s
r the members. terests
st
fo
re
s
te
ie
it
iv
ct
My in
a
e
is
& in
organ
Your hobbies
and have helped
local youth club
s. A.
ndary school, M
co
se
y
m
of
l
pa
princi
enny.
rences from the
market, Mr. J. K a reference
er
I can supply refe
up
S
y
ft
ri
h
T
ive
the manager of
ple who can g
Names of peo hat kind of person you are
Burke, and from
saying w

y time.
interview at an
r
fo
e
bl
ila
va
a
of letter
I am
Finishing line
,
Yours faithfully
Karen Andrews.
38

Letter Writing

not know
when you do
g
in
d
en
is
th
riting to
Use
son you are w
er
p
e
th
f
o
e
the nam

Your signature

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

Exercise
1

Look at the following job application letter. Rewrite this letter on the following page.
Divide the letter into 6 paragraphs and put in the 9 capital letters that are missing.

63 wood road,
beechhill,
co. monaghan.
26th june 2006

The Manager,
Jean World,
Castletown,
Co. Monaghan.
,
Dear Sir/Madam

the
t as advertised in
n
ta
is
ss
a
op
sh
r the position of
ave just
years old, and h
I wish to apply fo
n
ee
ft
fi
m
r
a
th
I
e.
ceived the Junio
on 25 Jun
re
I
.
ge
le
ol
C
y
it
'Evening Herald'
Commun
omics,
r in Brooklawn
ea
y
d
ir
th
tudies, Home Econ
S
ed
s
et
es
in
us
B
compl
,
h
is
tics, Ir
-time job in a
glish, Mathema
rt
pa
a
d
a
h
ve
a
h
Certificate in En
ears, I
,
r the past two y
Fo
.
rt
A
g with the public
d
in
n
k
a
or
ch
w
of
Fren
ce
en
peri
ll,
where I gained ex
rests are footba
te
in
y
M
.
sh
local newsagent
ca
with
pply
ked, and dealing
oc
st
s
ve
el
ball club.I can su
sh
ot
g
n
fo
l
ca
keepi
lo
y
m
of
the
. I am a member
school and from
ry
music and clothes
da
n
co
se
y
m
e principal of
r interview at
fo
th
e
bl
om
ila
fr
s
va
a
ce
n
m
re
a
t. I
refe
op, Mr. P. Wrigh
sh
e
im
st
ew
N
of
manager
any time.
yours faithfully,
keith lyons

Junior Certificate School Programme

39

Letter Writing

In the space below address the envelope that the job application letter from question
1 would be posted in.

Write a letter applying for one of the following jobs that appeared in the Evening Herald
on May 23rd:
Part-Time help required by fast food restaurant would suit student.
Apply to:

The Manager
Pizza World
Main Street
Rathcoole
Co. Wexford

Friendly, Honest young person needed for part-time work in busy sports shop
Apply to:

40

Letter Writing

Sam Brown
Manager
Sports Scene
O'Connell Street
Limerick

Formal Letters

Section 2

The following is an example of a letter that you would send along with your CV when
applying for a job.

Keywords

Section 3

Letter of application (2) Sample (with CV)

rove,
99 Thornbush G
Riverside,
Jamestown,
Dublin 8.
26th June 2008

The Manager,
e,
Mac's Superstor
Red Lane,
Dublin 8.
,
Dear Sir/Madam

the
t as advertised in
n
ta
is
ss
a
op
sh
r the position of
I wish to apply fo
on 25th June.
'Evening Herald'
d
rsonal details an
pe
y
m
g
n
vi
gi
e,
a
Vit
of my Curriculum
I enclose a copy
rd.
educational reco
,
in a supermarket
g
in
k
or
w
of
ce
perien
have had some ex
I
on.
e,
se
ill
w
ou
y
As
sted in this positi
re
te
in
y
rl
a
ul
ic
I am part
and that is why
e.
rview at any tim
te
in
r
fo
e
bl
ila
I am ava
,
Yours faithfully
hy.
Kenneth McCart

Junior Certificate School Programme

41

Letter Writing

ITAE
CURRICULUM V

ils
Personal Deta
arthy
Kenneth McC

Name:

99 Thornbush
Riverside,
Jamestown,
Dublin 8.

Address:

:
Date of Birth

Grove,

1986
16th February
Record
Educational

School,
town National
es
m
Ja
l:
o
o
ch
Secondary S
The Hill,
Dublin 8.
ed:
Dates Attend

98 2004
September 19
s
Qualification

1.
2.

te 2001
Junior Certifica
cate 2004
Leaving Certifi
Grade
Subject
C
English
D
Mathematics
B
Irish
C
French
D
History
C
Biology

42

Letter Writing

Formal Letters

Section 2

Keywords

Section 3

ence
Work Experi
hn Ryan,
loyer: Mr. Jo
p
m
E
f
o
ss
market,
re
dd
Golden Super
Name and A
venue,
Churchgate A
Dublin 8.
2003
February 2002
t:
n
e
m
y
lo
p
m
Dates of E
ely
kly approximat
10 hours wee
Part-time:
g store,
shelves, tidyin
g
n
ki
ac
st

t
an
General assist
g.
s:
n
e
ci
ti
ri
u
p
D
packing,
ring.
g, Mountainee
lin
yc
C
l,
al
tb
o
lic Fo
Club,
Hobbies: Gae
estown GAA
m
Ja
f
o
Interests and
er
b
Cross,
Mem
b, Junior Red
lu
C
th
u
Yo
et
High Stre
eering Group.
Ace Mountain
eering.
and Mountain
id
A
t
rs
Fi
in
courses
Have attended
Referees:

1.

2.

Principal,
Ms. J. Nolan,
e,
munity Colleg
Riverside Com
New Road,
Dublin 8.
,
Mr. John Ryan
market,
Golden Super
venue,
Churchgate A
Dublin 8.

Junior Certificate School Programme

43

Letter Writing

Exercise
1

Write a letter of application that you would put with your CV, in reply to the advertisement
below. The advert appeared in the Evening Herald on July 2nd.
Friendly, responsible young person needed part-time for busy petrol station
and shop.
Apply with CV to: The Manager
Max Petrol Station
Summerhill Road
Naas
Kildare

Use the headings that follow and complete this CV. (Use your own details for this CV.)

CURRICULUM VITAE
Personal Details
Name:
Address:

Date of Birth:

Educational Record
Secondary School:

Dates Attended:

44

Letter Writing

Formal Letters

Work Experience

Keywords

Section 2

Section 3

Name and Address of Employer:

Dates of Employment:

Part-time:

Duties:

Interests and Hobbies:

Referees:
1.

2.

Junior Certificate School Programme

45

Letter Writing

Section 3
Keywords

46

Letter Writing

Keywords

Section 3

Some important keywords and phrases

Abbreviations
These are short forms of words which are sometimes used in letters or addresses. When you
shorten a word, you must put a full stop after it to show that you have left out some letters.

Quiz abbreviations in names

Match the following abbreviations to their meaning drawing a line. The first one is done for you.
Mr.

Street

Ms.

Grove

Dr.

Road

Fr.

for a priest

Ave.

Gardens

Cres.

Park

Dr.

Avenue

Gdns.

Drive

Gr.

for a woman

Pk.

for a man

Rd.

for a doctor

St.

Crescent
SCORE: _____ out of 12

Junior Certificate School Programme

47

Letter Writing

Letter Writing Quiz. Put a tick in the box beside the correct
answer.
1

When you write an informal or formal letter you always put your address on:
The top left
hand corner

Dear Sir/Madam

Yours sincerely

Lots of Love

Dear Mr Quinn

Dear Quinn

You are writing to the Principal of a school. Which sign-off would you use?
Yours faithfully

Hi

You are writing to a person called Ronan Quinn, who is the Manager at Sports World.
You want to complain about a tracksuit you bought. The colour has faded after one
wash How would you begin the letter?
Dear Ronan

Under the greeting

In a formal letter when you know the name of the person you are writing to the sign
off you use is:
Yours faithfully

Under your signature

When you do not know the name of the person you are writing to you begin your
letter with:
Dear Sir

The top right

hand corner

The date of a letter always goes:

Under your address

The bottom left

hand corner

Your friend

Love

You are writing to the manager of Max Petrol Station to ask about vacancies for part-time
work. It's on Summerhill Road, Castletown, Dublin 4. You don't know the name of the
manager. How would you address your envelope?
Max Petrol Station
Summerhill Road
Castletown
Dublin 4

The Manager
Max Petrol Station
Summerhill Road
Castletown
Dublin 4

The Manager
Summerhill Road
Castletown
Dublin 4

SCORE: ____ out of 7

48

Letter Writing

Keywords

Section 3

Letter writing word search

C
Z
T
S
R
Q
R
F
T
W
O
N
W
N
K

Y L
U A
B R
N A
X E
E D
X F
I
I
C Z
V K
E N
M I
O S
S S
A M

L
V
I
R
U
M
B
E
I
D
T
D
C
E
I

U F H
A I L
L N S
A A T
I A M
D C E
T T U
N R I
R C A
A E M
U A N
L U N
S M T
R D D
S X L

T
A
E
U
R
R
L
L
R
P
G
C
S
A
S

I A F
B L E
W I M
V I A
Q P J
P Y N
O F P
O F F
U U J
R M Y
E M V
A D N
E D X
O E W
V T N

W
C
Q
B
I
L
U
F
K
V
S
I
P
S
A

A
P
P
O
I
N
T
M
E
N
T
C
T
N
V

Y
L
E
R
E
C
N
I
S
U
E
P
X
A
L

ADDRESS
APPLICATION
APPOINTMENT
AVAILABLE
CURRICULUM VITAE
DATE
DEAR
DEPARTMENT
FAITHFULLY
FORMAL
INFORMAL
INTERVIEW
REFERENCE
SIGNATURE
SINCERELY

S
I
G
N
A
T
U
R
E
Y
J
F
L
D
E

1.

Letter writing word grid

2.
3.
4.
5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Across
Short for avenue
2
4
Another way to write this is Rd.
6
This goes at the bottom of you letter
7
Short for a woman
8
Short for a doctor
9
If you don't know who you are writing to
sign off with this

Down
Most letters start this way- it's a greeting
1
2
You put this in the top right hand corner
of a letter
3
Short for a man
5
It's on a calendar
6
If you know the name of the person you
are writing to, you finish the letter with this
Junior Certificate School Programme

49

Letter Writing

More abbreviations
You may see these short forms of words used in letters:
Bros.

Brothers (in a company name, e.g., Smith Bros).

Co.

Company

C/o

Care of (if you are writing to somebody at an address which is not their own).

C.O.D.

Cash on Delivery (means goods will be paid for when they are delivered).

Dept.

Department

Etc.

"and so on" (et cetera).

N. B.

"note well" (nota bene).

P. S.

post script (a message added on at the end of a letter, after the signature.
Usually only used in personal letters).

R. S. V. P. please reply (French respondez s'il, vous plait).

s.a.e.

50

stamped addressed envelop (an envelope with a stamp, addressed to yourself).

Letter Writing