How to Write a Formal Letter in English

How to Write a Formal Letter in English

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to write and compose a formal letter in English.

Introduce the objective of the lesson and explain to the students what they will achieve by the end of the lesson.

In which scenarios would one write a formal?

Formal Letter Structure

A formal letter in English consists of six elements: Heading, Date, Inside Address, Salutation, Body, and Closing.

Introduce the structure of a formal letter and explain each element in detail.

Heading

The heading of a formal letter contains the sender's address and the date.

Explain how to format the heading of a formal letter and provide an example.

Date

The date in a formal letter is typically written in full.

Explain the importance of including the date in a formal letter and provide an example.

Inside Address

The inside address of a formal letter contains the recipient's address and the name of the recipient.

Explain how to format the inside address of a formal letter and provide an example.

Salutation

The salutation in a formal letter is the greeting that is used to address the recipient.

Explain the different types of salutations that can be used in a formal letter and provide examples.

Body

The body of a formal letter contains the message that the sender wants to convey to the recipient.

Explain the importance of the body of a formal letter and provide tips on how to write an effective message.

Closing

The closing of a formal letter is used to indicate the end of the message and/or to express goodwill towards the recipient.

Explain the different types of closings that can be used in a formal letter and provide examples.

Formal Language

A formal letter should use formal language and avoid contractions, slang, and abbreviations.

Explain the importance of using formal language in a formal letter and provide examples of formal and informal language.

Proofreading

It is important to proofread a formal letter to ensure that it is free of errors and conveys the intended message.

Explain the importance of proofreading and provide tips on how to proofread effectively.

Practice Exercise

Provide a sample scenario and ask students to write a formal letter in response to the scenario.

Provide a scenario that is relevant to the students and allow time for them to write their responses. Afterward, have students share and discuss their letters.

Useful Phrases

Provide a list of useful phrases that can be used in a formal letter, such as 'I am writing to inquire about...' or 'Thank you for your time and consideration.'

Go over the list of useful phrases and explain the context in which each phrase can be used. Encourage students to use these phrases in their own letters.

Formatting Tips

Provide tips on how to format a formal letter, such as using a clear and easy-to-read font and spacing out the text.

Explain why formatting is important and provide examples of well-formatted letters.

Q&A

Answer any questions that students may have about writing formal letters in English.

Encourage students to ask any questions they may have and provide clear and concise answers.

Next Steps

Provide guidance on what students should do next to continue developing their formal letter writing skills.

Give suggestions on how students can continue to improve their formal letter writing skills, such as practicing with online resources or seeking feedback from peers.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.