Situational

Writing Formats


1.1 Informal letter

It is a letter that we write to someone we know, or someone we want to get to know. Usually, it
is written to a friend or relative.
Language features: informal and friendly tone.

Examples

Who? Appropriate tone
To a grandfather who lives I am extremely happy that I have been given a chance to go to
overseas Amsterdam on a student exchange programme!
To a close friend I am totally elated that I have been selected to go to Amsterdam
on a student exchange programme! I cant wait to start shopping
for winter clothing!

a. Format letter

Blk 156 Sunshine Road Senders address
#17-06
Singapore 230156

8 April 2015 Date

Dear Grandpa Jim Salutation/ Opening greeting

I havent heard from you for a while, I hope you are feeling Introduction
well. I guess my younger cousins have been keeping you
very busy and thats why you havent written, emailed or
called.

Content content content Body


Content content content Body


Content content content Body


Please write soon we miss hearing from you. When will Closure
you be visiting us in Singapore? Not too long from now I
hope! Mum sends her love too. Take care of yourself!

Love, Grace Sign off name or nickname


* Each writing should have a minimum of FIVE paragraphs.

263 Tanjong Katong Rd #01-07, Tel: 6702 0118



b. Format email

To: gracechua@gmail.com Technical detail

Subject: My first week of Secondary Three Introduction to subject

Dear Grandpa Jim Greeting

I havent heard from you for a while, I hope you are feeling Introduction
well. I guess my younger cousins have been keeping you
very busy and thats why you havent written, emailed or
called.

Content content content Body


Content content content Body


Content content content Body


Please write soon we miss hearing from you. When will Closure
you be visiting us in Singapore? Not too long from now I
hope! Mum sends her love too. Take care of yourself!

Love, Grace Sign off name or nickname

Situational Writing | Formats 0



2.2 Formal letter

a. Features of a formal letter

Blk 332 Bishan Street 72 Writers address
#18-22
Singapore 530332

1 August 2015 Date

Mr Andrew Chua Recipients name
Store Manager Recipients position
The Freshness Store Recipients company/institution
100 Greenwood Avenue Recipients address
Singapore 120328

Dear Mr Chua Salutation

Commendation of service staff Subject matter

As a regular customer of your store, I am writing to Content



Yours sincerely Valediction
Grace Chan Writers signature
Grace Chan Writers name

b. Valediction of a formal letter

If your salutation is Dear Sir, Dear Madam or Dear Sir/Madam, end with Yours faithfully.
If you address the person by the surname, end with Yours sincerely.

c. Speech

Mrs Laura Chong, Principal, Hillview Secondary School; Greeting: begin your speech
Mr Halim Aziz, Chairman, School Advisory Committee, Ladies by greeting the audience,
and Gentlemen: particularly the important
people in the audience.

As I stand before you now, I am reminded... Introduction


Content content content Body

Content content content Body

Content content content Body

Situational Writing | Formats 1



d. Report/proposal

To: Principal
Mrs Laura Chong Name of the person the report is
sent to
From: Grace Chua Name of the person writing the
report
Proposal on holding the Graduation Dinner in School Title of heading

Content content content Body


Content content content Body


Content content content Body


Content content content Body



* No signature is required. However, for incident reports, a signature should be included.

e. Brochure/Information Leaflet

Lakeside Open House Title: What is the information
about?

Our astounding results Body
Content content content Fact segment: give specific
details of the facts.
Use sub-headings to present
Our scientific programmes the different segments.
Content content content 3 to 4 paragraphs on
discussion and elaboration of
EACH bullet point raised in
Our award winning CCA groups the question.
Content content content


Our distinguished alumni
Content content content


Contact number, Website if relevant, information on how Conclusion
to get there if relevant

Situational Writing | Formats 2



f. Newspaper articles

Lakeview Secondary School launches eco-friendly Headline: Title of the newspaper
paperless teaching programme report

Programme to be launched in stages in 2015 Deck: second headline
(sometimes not used)

By Amanda Wong Byline: Writers name

SINGAPORE, 16 Sept 2014: Content content content Lead:
First paragraph
summarizes the main news
Content content content of the report (what, when,
where)

Content content content 3 to 4 paragraphs on
discussion and elaboration of
EACH bullet point raised in
Content content content the question.




Newspaper articles are typically recounts of events that have already taken place. It is usual in
such articles to include what was said by other people, e.g. It is important for our students to
know the ecological footprint they create on a daily basis, said Amelia Tan, Principal of Lakeview
Secondary School.

Situational Writing | Formats 3