Formal Letters

FCE
There are different
types of formal  a letter of inquiry
email or letter you  a letter of application (for a job, for study)
may be asked to  and a letter of complaint.
write in the B2 First
exam.
  In this type of task you’ll have to ask for more information about a
a letter of course, programme, or a summer camp.
inquiry
  In this type of task you’ll have to talk about why you’re applying
a letter of for the position and justify your skills. It could be an application for
a part-time job, study or scholarship programme.
application
  This could be a letter to a hotel manager, a shop assistant or
a letter of organisation. You may be complaining about the quality of a
service, product or the organisation of an event. Sometimes you’ll
complaint have to request some kind of action or resolution, at other times,
you may have to correct a misunderstanding.
Outlines
  If you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to,
use “Dear Sir or Madam,” whereas if you know the person’s name
1. Salutation you write “Dear Mr Smith” or “Dear Ms Smith”. Use the
title “Ms” if you don’t know if the woman is married or unmarried.
  Here, you state your reasons for writing the letter and, if needed,
what you are responding to. This should not be more than a couple
of lines.
 Useful phrases for the opening
 I would like to apply for one of the scholarships I saw advertised in
2. The first your prospectus.
(applying for a scholarship)
paragraph  I am looking for outdoor work during the summer holidays and I
(opening) would like to apply for the position of hotel lifeguard assistant which
I say advertised in my university’s student newspaper.
(applying for a job)
 I have seen your advertisement for the job in the local newspaper. I
am writing because I would like to apply for the job.
(applying for a job)
  In the next paragraphs, you give more details about why you are
writing. Give relevant information, but don’t expand too much.
3. The next Use linking structures to make your letter flow.” Moreover”,
“Furthermore”, “In addition” are all good examples of words that
paragraphs can be used to link sentences together.
 You should always be polite and respectful, even if you complain.
(main A useful way to achieve it especially in formal letters is to
content) use ‘modal verbs’, i.e., would, could or should.
  The last paragraph consists of telling the person what you would
4. The last like them to do as a result of the letter, whilst also thanking them
for their time. – “Thank you for your time. I hope to hear from you
paragraph at your earliest convenience”
  When signing off, look at how you started as a guide. If you don’t
know the name of a person you can sign off with “Yours
faithfully,” and if you do know the name of the person you should
5. Closing use “Yours sincerely,”. Your full name a surname should then be
written under this.
 It’s very important to write simply, clearly and logically informal
letters. Contractions should not be used (“I am” not
“I’m”). Therefore, keep your letter short, direct and to the point