How many different kinds of letter are there?

• Informal Letter
• Formal Letter

What are the differences between an informal

letter and a formal letter?

• Letter format
• The language used
When do we write this kind of letter and
who do we write to?

• write to friends or family members

• sometimes, spoken language can
be used
 Informal letters can take the form of a quick note
to invite a friend to a party, or they may be more
expansive in content.
Layout of an Informal Letter
Sender’s address
Date

Salutation (Dear Mom,)

Text

(with love,)Subscription
Signature
Opening:

How are you doing?

Closing:

Take care. / Write soon.

Formal Letter
Write to the “outside world”
example: business world
There are different kinds of formal letter.
• Complaint Letter
Make complaints
• Invitation Letter
Invite a guest to give a talk
• Letter of Application
Apply for a job
 Layout of a Formal Letter
Sender’s address
Date

Receiver’s Name
Receiver’s Title
Company’s Name
Company’s Address

Salutation
Text
Subscription
Signature
Printed Name and Title
Opening sentence:
I’m writing to…….

Closing sentence:
I’m looking forward to hearing/seeing from you.

Dear Mr. Chan,

Yours sincerely,

Dear Sir/Madam,
Yours faithfully,
Example:
Central Bank

Part-time Bank Clerk

• Required by a large bank in Central

• S.3 or above
• Knowledge of computer such as, Word, Excel
• Fluent in English & Chinese
• Experience not necessary

Interested parties, please send a letter of application

and resume to Central Bank, 25 Queen’s Road,
Hong Kong
Reason for writing
Express yourself clearly and concisely.
***When you want to apply for a job, many
companies ask for a letter of application.***
A letter of application gives more insight into the
applicant and enables the company to reject
many applicants before the interview stage.
It is therefore important to express yourself
clearly and make the most of this opportunity to
impress a prospective employer.
 Flat A, 8/F. Block 7
B 1 Sunrise Gardens
198 Nathan Road
Kowloon
3 N E 2 1st June 1998
The Personnel Officer
Central Bank
25 Queen’s Road 4 A
Hong Kong

Dear Sir/Madam 5 H
 6 M
Application for the post of Part-time Bank Clerk

I am writing to apply for the post of Part-time

Clerk, which was advertised in the South 7J
China Morning Post on 30th May.

I am a student at St Anne’s School and will

complete my Form 3 studies in July this year. 8 F
I am taking seven subjects at school and I
came first in Computer Studies last year.
In school, I have a lot of interests. I take part
in many extra-curricular activities. I am the
Secretary of the Computer Club and a
9 G
member of the Tennis Club. I also helped in
organising an Inter-class Mathematics
Competition last year.

I wish to work in a bank as I enjoy meeting

people and I am very interested in banking. I
hope to continue my studies while working. I
understand your bank encourages employees 10 K
to go in courses, and this is one reason why I
decided to apply for this post.
If you are interested in my application, I
should be glad to attend an interview at any 11 C
time which is convenient for you.

Yours faithfully 12 D

Doris Ng 13 L

Doris Ng 14 I
 Hong Kong Post

PART TIME JUNIOR CLERK

 Required by a large trading firm in TST

 S3 or above
 Knowledge of shorthand & typing
 Fluent in English & Chinese
 Experience not essential

Interested parties, please call Miss Chan

On 2178 8233 for an interview.
In your letter, you could express your interest by
referring to the nature of the job and career
prospects.

You might write that you are interested in trading,

or that you want to be given a chance to improve
your secretarial skills. Show that you are
interested and enthusiastic.

Make sure you have the right layout of the Letter

of Application. Tell more about yourself clearly in
the letter.