International Schools of Islamic Educational College

Second term 2019/2020

English Language / Grade 5

Writing a Formal Letter

Examples of Formal letters:

Dear Yud Bet 5 pointers and Yud Aleph English Speakers,

As you know, you will have to write a formal letter on your Bagrut exam,

and therefore on your Magen exam as well. Here are some useful tips to

know when writing the formal letter:

1. Do NOT use contractions!! (can’t, don’t, I’m, it’s, you’re etc.)

Write the words out in full:

I cannot/I do not/ I am/ it is/ you are etc.

2. Do NOT use informal language. For example, say :

a. “children” or “pupils”, not “kids”

b. “I was angry”, not “I was really pissed”

c. “The food was inedible,” NOT “the food was lousy”.

You get the point.

3. Don’t forget to use capital letters and correct

punctuation:

Dear Sir,

Dear Madam,

Dear Ms. Livnat,

Very truly yours, (note that “truly” and “yours” do

not take capital letters)

Sincerely yours,

To Whom it May Concern,

 February 31, 2003 (note the way dates are written in

English!)

Mr. George W. Bush, President of the United

States
The White House
2600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.

Good Phrases to use when writing a formal letter:

Read the phrases and translate them.

a. “It has come to my attention that…”

________________________________________

b. “I would appreciate it if you took my comments INTO consideration”

____________________________________________

c. “In my HUMBLE opinion……………”

___________________________________________

d. “Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.”

_____________________________________

e. “I ask you to re-consider this matter/proposal/idea/ etc.”

______________________________________________

f. “I urge you to put this proposal into effect as soon as possible.”

___________________________________________
g. “I look forward to receiving a prompt reply” (only if it is

appropriate to write this; don’t write it, for example, if you’re writing a

letter to the editor of a newspaper. Editors never reply to letters to

the editor) .

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Choose one of the following subjects and write a formal letter:

 Write a formal invitation to a social event.

 An apology letter to a business company about a mistake you make
in advertising it.
 A formal letter to the mayor of your town stating a problem you
have in your neighborhood asking for his involvement to arrange the
problem.

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 You write to How to begin the letter How to end the letter

Dear Sir/Madam Yours faithfully

an unknown
Dear Sir or Madam Yours truly
firm/person
To whom it may concern Truly yours

Yours faithfully
a woman whose name
Dear Madam Yours truly
you don't know
Truly yours

Yours faithfully
a man whose name you
Dear Sir Yours truly
don't know
Truly yours

Yours sincerely
a person whose name
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Fisher Very truly yours
you know
Sincerely (yours)

(With) Best wishes

Yours
a person you know
Dear Ann/John Love
personally
All the best

Kindest/Best regards

Opening & Ending your letter

Answer the following questions:

1. You are writing to the army, you will open your letter with

________________

2. You are writing to the head of the art department in N.Y. University, you will

end your letter with ________________________

3. You are writing to Marry from the Catering your office is working with, you

will open the letter with _____________________

4. You are writing to a person who found your wallet and sent it to you with a

deliver, you will end the letter with _____________________