Writing
FORMAL LETTERS
Writing a Formal Letter
The address of 29 Theologou Street Your address
the person / Kato Vouliagmeni
organization date
you are writing Athens 12348
to (beneath
your address) 21st September 2016
Mr Donald Swanson
33 Premiere Road
Sussex SW3458
United Kingdom
Your greeting
Dear Mr Swanson,
Leave an empty
I am writing to inform you about xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx line between
each paragraph
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
I would also xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Furthermore, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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I look forward to hearing from you.
sign off
Yours sincerely,
Martha Newton
Martha Newton
sign and print
your name
Rules for Writing Formal Letters in English
Addresses:
1) Your Address
The return address should be written in the top right-hand corner of the letter.
2) The Address of the person you are writing to
The inside address should be written on the left, starting below your address.
Date:
Different people put the date on different sides of the page. You can write this on the right or the left
on the line after the address you are writing to. Write the month as a word.
Salutation or greeting:
1) Dear Sir or Madam,
If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use this. It is always advisable to try to
find out a name.
2) Dear Mr Jenkins,
If you know the name, use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms, Dr, etc.) and the surname only. If you are
writing to a woman and do not know if she uses Mrs or Miss, you can use Ms, which is for married and
single women.
Ending a letter:
1) Yours faithfully
If you do not know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
2) Yours sincerely
If you know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
3) Your signature
Sign your name, then print it underneath the signature. If you think the person you are writing to might
not know whether you are male or female, put you title in brackets after your name.
1. Complete the letter.
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1 I am writing to express my opinion and suggest some solutions as to what could be done in order
to improve the facilities for young people in our area.
2 I hope my suggestions have been of use. I look forward to hearing from you.
3 City Council
21st Herodotou Str.
Agioi Anargyroi, Athens
4 Yours Faithfully,
Nick Papadakis
5 Unfortunately, the local gym as well as the swimming pool in our area are in bad condition. The
local gym has not been renovated or equipped for more than ten years and the swimming pool is
not looked after regularly.
6 22nd Eolou Str.
Agioi Anargyroi
Athens 15511
7 I believe that it is the local council’s duty to ensure that all the young people who live in our area
have access to decent facilities. For this reason, I believe that the facilities should be improved as
soon as possible.
8 Dear Sir or Madam,
9 21st February 2018
TASK
Write a letter to your local council suggesting some improvements that could be made to the youth
centre in the place where you live.
You could write about:
Why you think the activities available at the moment are outdated.
What sort of activities you would like to see.
Why new activities would be a good thing for young people in your area.
Write 100 – 150 words.
1. Rewrite the following sentences using the word(s) in brackets.
1. I am writing about the local youth centre. (regarding)
I………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. as I think that the activities we have now are not enough…. (existing)
as……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. I want to tell you some ideas. (would / propose)
I ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. ….about what you could do to improve the activities offered by … (be)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Activities like table tennis, badminton or knitting are outdated. (such)
Activities ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
[Link] young people are interested in more modern activities such as dancing, internet, theatre or
design. (nowadays)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
[Link] my opinion, one activity you could add is dancing as many young people, especially girls, are
interested in modern dance. (be)
In my opinion, one activity ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Correct the mistakes.
1. Also, an other activity that would appeal to young people is drama. A
drama club would gave them the opportunity to express theirselves through
acting.
2. This would give them the chance to do something creatively in their spare
time, learn new things and explore their talent.
3. I hope you find my suggestion useful.
4. I also believe that the fashion design would be very interesting. I am sure
that lots of people would take place.
5. I look forward to hear from you.
Use expressions and ideas
from exercises 1 and 2
YOUR TASK
Write a letter to your local council suggesting some improvements that could be made to the youth
centre in the place where you live.
You could write about:
Why you think the activities available at the moment are outdated.
What sort of activities you would like to see.
Why new activities would be a good thing for young people in your area.
Checklist
I have written both addresses
I have written the date
I have written the salutation (Dear….)
I have mentioned WHY I am writing the letter
I have mentioned why I think the activities available are outdated
I have suggested two or three activities I would like to see
I have mentioned why these new activities are a good thing for people in my area
I have signed off the letter ( Yours…)
I have used expressions / ideas from exercises 1 and 2.
I have written between 100 and 150 words.
