WRITING HANDOUTS FOR TAB1

FORMAL & INFORMAL LETTERS/ EMAILS

A. Useful language
Formal language is the kind of language we use when we are being businesslike or
when we are talking to people who we need to respect. We use formal types of language
when we are writing essays, or applying for a job, or talking to our teachers. For example,
you would use either Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully at the end of a formal letter/email,
and would sign the letter using both your first name and surname.
Informal language is the kind of language we use when we are talking or writing to our
family or friends. For example, you would use something like From John, All the best, or
Lots of love at the end of an informal letter/email, and would sign the letter/email using
your first name or a nickname.
The table below clearly demonstrates the differences between these two kinds in
language use.

FORMAL LETTERS/EMAILS INFORMAL LETTERS/EMAILS

Greeting
Dear Mr (Mrs / Ms / Dr) Smith, Dear Smith,
Previous contact
Thank you for your e-mail of... Thanks for your e-mail.
Further to your last e-mail,... Re your e-mail,...
I apologise for not getting in contact with Sorry, I haven't written for ages, but I've
you before now. been really busy.
Reasons for writing
I am writing in connection with... Just a short note about...
I am writing with regard to... I'm writing about...
In reply to your e-mail, here are... Here's the... you wanted.
Your name was given to me by... I got your name from...
We would like to point out that.. Please note that...
Giving information
I am writing to let you know that... Just a note to say...
We are able to confirm that... We can confirm that...
I am delighted to tell you that... Good news!
We regret to inform you that.. Unfortunately,...
Asking for information
Could you give me some information Can you tell me a little more about...
about... I'd like to know...
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I would like to know... Please send me...

I am interested in receiving/finding out...
Making requests
I would be grateful if you could... Please could you...
I wonder if you could... Could you...?
Do you think I could have...? Can I have...?
Thank you in advance for your help in this I'd appreciate your help on this.
matter.
Promising action
I will... I'll...
I will investigate the matter. I'll look into it.
I will contact you again shortly. I'll get back to you soon.
Offering help
Would you like me to...? Do you want me to...?
If you wish, I would be happy to... Shall I...?
Let me know whether you would like me Let me know if you'd like me to...
to...
Final comment
Thank you for your help. Thanks again for...
Do not hesitate to contact us again if you Let me know if you need anything else.
require any further information. Just give me a call if you have any
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions. My number is …
any questions. My direct line is …
Closing
I am looking forward to...(+ -ing) Looking forward to...(+ -ing)
Give my regards to... Best wishes to...
Best wishes See you soon.
Regards Bye (for now)

B. Exam focus
Exercise 1: Look at the following characteristics of letters/emails. Decide whether they
apply to formal or informal letters/emails or both. Show your answers by ticking formal,
informal, or both.
Which one … Formal Informal
begins with Dear …?
refers to reason for writing?
uses contractions?
uses abbreviations?

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uses simple, short sentences?

uses simple linkers, e.g. then, later?
has paragraphs?
is more polite?
could use slang?
could use exclamation marks (!)?
ends with Yours sincerely, /Yours faithfully, ?
ends with Best wishes, /Write soon.?
ends with a signature?
ends with a signature and a full name printed (or in capitals)?

Exercise 2: Read the following tasks and decide which style (formal or informal) your
reply letter/email is.
VSTEP WRITING SAMPLE 1:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You are a regular passenger of a hair salon near your home. You received an email
from the manager, Ms. Janet Taylor, asking for your feedback about the service
there. Read part of her email below.

Thank you very much for using our salon service. As you use our service so often, I am
writing to ask for your feedback so that we can improve the quality of the service.
We would be grateful if you could tell us the reasons why you choose our service and
whether or not you are satisfied with it. We would also want to know if there is anything
you are unhappy with and things you would like to be changed.
We look forward to your reply.

Write an email responding to Ms. Janet Taylor.

You should write at least 120 words.

VSTEP WRITING SAMPLE 2:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

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You received an email from your English friend, Jessica. She asked you for some
information about one of your friends. Read part of her email below.

I’ve just got an email from your friend, Linh. She said she’s going to take a course in
London this summer. She asked if she could stay with my family until she could find an
apartment. Can you tell me a bit about her (things like her personality, hobbies and
interests, and her current work or study if possible)? I want to see if she will fit in with
my family.

Write an email responding to Jessica.

You should write at least 120 words.