LESSON 3: LETTERS OF REQUEST

1. What is a request letter?

Request Letter is a letter which is written when you need certain information, permission, favor,
service or any other matter which requires a polite and humble request. 
A requesting letter is written for various purposes, these purposes can be related to:
 Meeting
 Holiday
 Banking purposes
 Jobs
Certain examples of Request:
 A fresh graduate needs to request a job interview
 An employee wants to request a promotion
 A student might need to request for information from a college or university
2. Samples of request letter
Read the advertisement below:

You happen to see this advertisement on a newspaper and you are interested in joining this tour.
Write a letter to Mr. Clarke and ask him
 If there is any free time on Thursday and Friday?
 Which hotel to stay?
 To send you a list of dates that are fully booked
Read the task and decide whether you are going to write a formal or informal letter?
Write three sentences to Mr. Clarke to ask him:
 If there is any free time on Thursday and Friday?
 Which hotel to stay?
 To send you a list of dates that are fully booked
Now read the samples below:
SAMPLE 1:

After you read the letter:

1. Analyze the organization of the letter
2. Underline structures that the writer use to ask for the needed information?
SAMPLE 2:
Dear Robert,
Hi there. I hope you're enjoying your college year. Thanks very much for asking me to come and visit you
in Singapore. As you know, I haven't traveled to Asia before, so I thought I'd write and ask you a few
questions.
I want to bring a present with me and I wondered what would be appreciated. Can you tell me your mum's
hobbies and then I could come up with an idea based on one of them. I also want to know what sort of
clothes should I bring? I know it's pretty warm where you live but do I need jumpers or coat? What sort of
activities are we likely to do while I'm there and should I bring things like swimming gear or trainers?
Lastly, I hate to be a nuisance but I hope you remember that I'm a vegetarian. I do eat eggs but I don't eat
red meat or chicken at all. Is that going to be a problem?
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Barnaby.
AFTER YOU READ:
 Is this a formal or informal letter?
 What are the differences between the two samples that you have read?
NOTES:
In formal letter you are supposed to use indirect questions while direct questions are expected in
informal letter. Below are some useful structures when you want to ask for information in formal and
informal situation

FORMAL INFORMAL

OPENING I am writing to inquire about/ in I want you to tell me…..

REMARKS connection with
Can you let me know……

INTRODUCING Could you tell me…. Can you send/tell me…

REQUEST
Could you please let me know…… I want to know…..
I would be interested in Can you also find out……
knowing……
I also want to know……
I would appreciate if you could tell
me…..
I would be grateful if you could tell
me…..
I would like to know…..
Another matter I need information
on is…..

CLOSING REMARK I look forward to receiving your Send me the details as soon as
response possible.
I would appreciate if you could Tell me soon,
inform me as soon as possible
I await your prompt response

Homework: