Formal Writing

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1-4

Writing

For today:

• Writing - A formal letter
• How to write a formal letter
• Useful phrases

What could be reasons for writing a formal email to someone?

Formal e-mail:

When writing to someone you don't know... For example:

• Letter of complaint
• Application Letter
• Proposal

Basic layout of a 

formal e-mail (7 parts)

1. Recipient 
2. Subject (use 3-4 words)
3. Salutation (dear mr./ms. etc.)
4. Body/content/paragraphs
5. Last sentence (looking forward to hearing from you soon, .......)
6. Closing (yours faithfully, yours sincerely, best wishes.....)
7. Name

The Main details/points are written in which part of formal letter?

1. Introduction
2. Body
3. Closing
4. Address

When do yo use ''Dear Sir or Madam''?

1. When you don't know the person you're writing to
2. When you do know who you're writing to
3. You can always use it
4. Never

Stel je schrijft een formele brief naar een vrouw die Lucy Smith heet, wat wordt dan de aanhef?

1. Dear Mrs Smith,
2. Dear Miss Smith,
3. Dear Lucy,
4. Dear Ms. Smith,

Yes of no: Mag je in een formele brief afkortingen zoals I'm gebruiken?

1. Yes
2. No

Yes or no: moet je na elke alinea een witregel gebruiken?

1. Yes
2. No

Hoe zou jij een formele Engelse brief afsluiten?

If you are writing a complaint letter to the local authorities, what is the best way to end the letter?

1. Hope all is well.
2. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
3. Send some around here or else.
4. All the above.

Formal language

Informal language

Hey dude, how's it going?

I am writing this email to file a complaint

Dear Mr Burnsley,

Dear James,

He's always doing so much stuff.

Your book sucks.

I do not think the novel is suitable for young adults.

Formal e-mails are written for an official purpose.

1. True
2. False

Match the following opening Lines.

I hope you enjoyed my birthday party that was organized at home yesterday. I am very glad and happy and I thank you for accepting my invitation and attending my birthday party.

Through the columns of your reputed newspaper, I wish to make the people aware of the growing need and demands of solar power

Informal letter

Formal Letter

Write down 3 mistakes from the previous letter

Correct this sentence taken from a formal email: i'm writing this email because i haven't received my parcel yet