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Year 11 English — Writing a formal letter

Write a letter to an official that names its business at once and keeps its language businesslike to the end.

Name: ________________________

Before you start

A formal letter with each of its blocks marked. Notice how far down the page the greeting comes, and how short the subject line is beside the body.

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  1. 1. Your own address
  2. 2. The date
  3. 3. The officer's address
  4. 4. Salutation
  5. 5. Subject line
  6. 6. Body paragraphs
  7. 7. Sign-off and name

Everything above the greeting is addresses and dates. The letter itself does not begin until the body.

  1. 1.A formal letter avoids short forms. Write "we can't" out in full, in two words.

  2. 2.Which is the most formal way to ask?

    • a) Please repair it right now.
    • b) I request that you arrange for the light to be repaired.
    • c) I want you to repair it.
    • d) Fix it soon, please.

  3. 3.Which of these has no place in a formal letter?

    • a) A plain statement of the facts
    • b) A polite request
    • c) A clear subject line
    • d) A vague word such as stuff

  4. 4.A formal letter spells its verbs out in full. Write "don't" as a formal letter would write it.

  5. 5.Why does a formal letter avoid describing your feelings at length?

    • a) Because feelings are always out of place in writing.
    • b) Because a formal letter must never be longer than five lines.
    • c) Because officials are not allowed to read long letters.
    • d) Because the reader needs the facts and the request, not the writer's mood.

  6. 6.Which subject line is best for a letter about a street light that has stopped working?

    • a) Subject: Broken street light outside the school gate
    • b) Subject: Letter
    • c) Subject: Please read this carefully
    • d) Subject: A problem

  7. 7.Sort each sentence by whether its language suits a formal letter.

    Groups: Suits a formal letter · Too informal

    • It's been going on for ages now.
    • I just wanted to say something about this.
    • The problem has continued for three weeks.
    • I am writing to draw your attention to the matter.
    • I should be grateful for an early reply.
    • Write back soon, okay?

  8. 8.What should the first sentence of a formal letter do?

    • a) Say why you are writing
    • b) Describe the weather that week
    • c) Apologise for taking up any time
    • d) Ask after the reader's family

Answer key — Year 11 English — Writing a formal letter

  1. 1. we cannot
  2. 2. b) I request that you arrange for the light to be repaired.
  3. 3. d) A vague word such as stuff
  4. 4. do not
  5. 5. d) Because the reader needs the facts and the request, not the writer's mood.
  6. 6. a) Subject: Broken street light outside the school gate
  7. 7. I am writing to draw your attention to the matter. → Suits a formal letter; I just wanted to say something about this. → Too informal; The problem has continued for three weeks. → Suits a formal letter; It's been going on for ages now. → Too informal; I should be grateful for an early reply. → Suits a formal letter; Write back soon, okay? → Too informal
  8. 8. a) Say why you are writing