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Class 10 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.Which is the most formal way to ask?

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

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

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

  3. 3.Match each part of a formal letter to what it holds.

    • Subject line
    • Salutation
    • Opening paragraph
    • Middle paragraph
    • Closing paragraph
    • Sign-off
    • The details of the matter
    • One line naming what the letter is about
    • The polite phrase before your name
    • The greeting to the reader
    • The reason for writing
    • The action you are asking for

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

  5. 5.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.
    • Write back soon, okay?
    • The problem has continued for three weeks.
    • I should be grateful for an early reply.
    • I am writing to draw your attention to the matter.

  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: Please read this carefully
    • c) Subject: Letter
    • d) Subject: A problem

  7. 7.You are writing to the municipal officer about waste that is no longer being collected. Which closing sentence is best?

    • a) I request that you arrange for collection to resume without further delay.
    • b) I hope you will do something about it.
    • c) Please look into it whenever you happen to have time.
    • d) That is all I have to say on the matter.

  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) Ask after the reader's family
    • d) Apologise for taking up any time

Answer key — Class 10 English — Writing a formal letter

  1. 1. c) I request that you arrange for the light to be repaired.
  2. 2. c) A vague word such as stuff
  3. 3. Subject line → One line naming what the letter is about; Salutation → The greeting to the reader; Opening paragraph → The reason for writing; Middle paragraph → The details of the matter; Closing paragraph → The action you are asking for; Sign-off → The polite phrase before your name
  4. 4. do not
  5. 5. 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
  6. 6. a) Subject: Broken street light outside the school gate
  7. 7. a) I request that you arrange for collection to resume without further delay.
  8. 8. a) Say why you are writing