Escholarindia-Developing Scholars: LETTER WRITING

Introduction to Letter Writing

A letter is a written form of communication that is addressed to a specific person or a specific organization. It is one of the easiest and non-expensive means of communication. The relationship between the writer and the receiver determines the way a letter is written. There are several ways of writing a letter, each having its own style. Letters are of two basic types.Formal letters: These letters include applications, letters to editors, official letters, letters to and from organizations, government departments etc. These letters have an objective or business-like style of writing.Informal letters: These letters include letters to parents, relatives, friends etc. These letters have an easy and conversational language.While writing formal letters, one should ensure that it is not too extensive. These letters are supposed to be short and to-the-point.

Format of an Informal Letter

1	Writer’s Address	A-225, Mayur Vihar Phase 1, Delhi-94
2	Date	March 25, 2010
3	Salutation	Dear Ankit/Father/Mother/Sister/Brother/Aunt
4	Body	This part contains all the information one wants to share by writing the letter.
5	Subscription	Yours lovingly/affectionately
6	Name or Signature	Rajesh/Pavan/Atul

Format of a Formal Letter

1	Writer’s Address	A-225, Mayur Vihar Phase 1, Delhi-94
2	Date	March 25, 2010
3	Address of the receiver	YZX Technology, C-12, Azad Nagar East, Delhi-18/The Principal, ABC School, Dhaula Kuan, Delhi-75
4	Subject	This part contains the objective of writing the letter. It must be concise.
5	Salutation	Respected Madam/Dear Sir
6	Main Body	This part should be divided into three paragraphs. The first paragraph must contain a short mention of the reason for writing the letter; the middle paragraph must contain all the details, while the last paragraph must express what one would want the other person to do in the event of receiving the letter.
7	Subscription	Yours truly/obediently/sincerely
8	Name or Signature	Rajesh/Pavan/Atul, Roll No. 123, Class 10-A

Note

1. The date can be written as:

March 1, 2010 or 1st

March, 2010 or 1 March, 2010

2. The address must be complete and must have the pin code of the address to which it is being sent.

3. Never write ‘Your’s truly’, always write ‘Yours truly’.

Write a letter to the Editor of The Times of India complaining about the nuisance created by the use of loudspeakers. You are Peeyush Sharma, a resident of Sector 15, Vasundhara Enclave, New Delhi.

Subject: Regarding the indiscriminate use of loudspeakers

Dear Sir,

I would like to draw the kind attention of the concerned authorities towards the indiscriminate use of loudspeakers through the columns of your esteemed newspaper.

Now-a-days, the use of loudspeakers at religious places, political gatherings, marriages etc. has become very common sight. The organizers of these events do not bother to turn off the loudspeakers after the stipulated time for their use is over. In a lot of cases, the use of loudspeakers continues till late in the night. This creates a lot of nuisance and disturbance for a

lot of people.