Formal Letter
Páginas: 7 (1595 palabras)
Publicado: 15 de mayo de 2012
SELECTED AND ADAPTED BY: ELT Olga Ocaña
Sources: http://www.usingenglish.com/resources/letter-writing.php#layout
http://www.businessballs.com/complaintsletters.htm
http://www2.elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/eiw/complaint_letter_constructor.htm#Warning
Rules for Writing Formal Letters in English
In English there are a number of conventions that should be used when writing a formal or businessletter. Furthermore, you try to write as simply and as clearly as possible, and not to make the letter longer than necessary. Remember not to use informal language like contractions.
* Addresses:
1) Your Address - The return address should be written in the top right-hand corner of the letter.
2) The Address of the person you are writing to - The inside address should be written on the left,starting below your address.
* Date:
Different people put the date on different sides of the page. You can write this on the right or the left on the line after the address you are writing to. Write the month as a word.
* Salutation or greeting:
1) Dear Sir or Madam, If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use this. It is always advisable to try to find out aname.
2) Dear Mr Jenkins, If you know the name, use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms, Dr, etc.) and the surname only. If you are writing to a woman and do not know if she uses Mrs or Miss, you can use Ms, which is for married and single women.
* Ending a letter:
1) Yours faithfully - If you do not know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
2) Yours sincerely - If you know thename of the person, end the letter this way.
3) Your signature - Sign your name, then print it underneath the signature. If you think the person you are writing to might not know whether you are male of female, put you title in brackets after your name.
* Content of a Formal Letter
First paragraph
The first paragraph should be short and state the purpose of the letter- to make an enquiry,complain, request something, etc.
The paragraph or paragraphs in the middle of the letter should contain the relevant information behind the writing of the letter. Most letters in English are not very long, so keep the information to the essentials and concentrate on organizing it in a clear and logical manner rather than expanding too much.
Last Paragraph
The last paragraph of a formalletter should state what action you expect the recipient to take- to refund, send you information, etc.
* Abbreviations Used in Letter Writing
The following abbreviations are widely used in letters:
* asap = as soon as possible
* cc = carbon copy (when you send a copy of a letter to more than one person, you use this abbreviation to let them know)
* enc. = enclosure (when youinclude other papers with your letter)
* pp = per procurationem (A Latin phrase meaning that you are signing the letter on somebody else's behalf; if they are not there to sign it themselves, etc)
* ps = postscript (when you want to add something after you've finished and signed it)
* pto (informal) = please turn over (to make sure that the other person knows the letter continues on theother side of the page)
* RSVP = please reply
Complaints letters
Effective complaints letters (and any other way of complaining) should be:
* Concise Letters can be understood quickly.
* Authoritative Letters that are well written and professionally presented - have more credibility and are taken more seriously.
* Factual Letters enable the reader to see immediately therelevant details, dates, requirements, etc., and to justify action to resolve the complaint.
* Constructive Letters with positive statements, suggesting positive actions - encourage action and quicker decisions.
* Friendly Letters with a considerate, cooperative and complimentary tone - are prioritized because the reader responds positively to the writer and wants to help (No matter how mad you...
Sources: http://www.usingenglish.com/resources/letter-writing.php#layout
http://www.businessballs.com/complaintsletters.htm
http://www2.elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/eiw/complaint_letter_constructor.htm#Warning
Rules for Writing Formal Letters in English
In English there are a number of conventions that should be used when writing a formal or businessletter. Furthermore, you try to write as simply and as clearly as possible, and not to make the letter longer than necessary. Remember not to use informal language like contractions.
* Addresses:
1) Your Address - The return address should be written in the top right-hand corner of the letter.
2) The Address of the person you are writing to - The inside address should be written on the left,starting below your address.
* Date:
Different people put the date on different sides of the page. You can write this on the right or the left on the line after the address you are writing to. Write the month as a word.
* Salutation or greeting:
1) Dear Sir or Madam, If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use this. It is always advisable to try to find out aname.
2) Dear Mr Jenkins, If you know the name, use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms, Dr, etc.) and the surname only. If you are writing to a woman and do not know if she uses Mrs or Miss, you can use Ms, which is for married and single women.
* Ending a letter:
1) Yours faithfully - If you do not know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
2) Yours sincerely - If you know thename of the person, end the letter this way.
3) Your signature - Sign your name, then print it underneath the signature. If you think the person you are writing to might not know whether you are male of female, put you title in brackets after your name.
* Content of a Formal Letter
First paragraph
The first paragraph should be short and state the purpose of the letter- to make an enquiry,complain, request something, etc.
The paragraph or paragraphs in the middle of the letter should contain the relevant information behind the writing of the letter. Most letters in English are not very long, so keep the information to the essentials and concentrate on organizing it in a clear and logical manner rather than expanding too much.
Last Paragraph
The last paragraph of a formalletter should state what action you expect the recipient to take- to refund, send you information, etc.
* Abbreviations Used in Letter Writing
The following abbreviations are widely used in letters:
* asap = as soon as possible
* cc = carbon copy (when you send a copy of a letter to more than one person, you use this abbreviation to let them know)
* enc. = enclosure (when youinclude other papers with your letter)
* pp = per procurationem (A Latin phrase meaning that you are signing the letter on somebody else's behalf; if they are not there to sign it themselves, etc)
* ps = postscript (when you want to add something after you've finished and signed it)
* pto (informal) = please turn over (to make sure that the other person knows the letter continues on theother side of the page)
* RSVP = please reply
Complaints letters
Effective complaints letters (and any other way of complaining) should be:
* Concise Letters can be understood quickly.
* Authoritative Letters that are well written and professionally presented - have more credibility and are taken more seriously.
* Factual Letters enable the reader to see immediately therelevant details, dates, requirements, etc., and to justify action to resolve the complaint.
* Constructive Letters with positive statements, suggesting positive actions - encourage action and quicker decisions.
* Friendly Letters with a considerate, cooperative and complimentary tone - are prioritized because the reader responds positively to the writer and wants to help (No matter how mad you...
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