Letter writing, format, types of letters, tips, examples (2023)

Briefformat:Letter writing is a type of written message passed from one person to another, either handwritten or printed on paper. Known for centuries, the art of letter writing is considered a traditional way of communicating an idea and has been sidelined with the advent of email, SMS and other means of communication which have become the norm.

To write letters

Letter writing is still used for much of our communication, especially official communication. Letters are still an important means of communication, be it a cover letter for a job, a bank reminder or a letter of admission to college. That is why it is necessary to understand how to write letters. Here in this article we will learn how to write wonderful letters.

Writing format for letters

Writing letters is considered one of the most useful forms of communication and is used for a variety of reasons. There are different types of letters, each with its own shape and style. Here are general guidelines for writing letters:

1. Sender's Address: First, enter the full address of the sender in the upper left corner, including the full name, address, city, state and PIN code.
2. Date Line: The date must be specified by skipping a line.
3. Receiver's Address: Enter the receiver's full address after skipping one line. The name of the company, the name and title of the recipient, and the mailing address must be included in a letter.
4. Greeting/Greeting: Skip one more line for greeting. This is called a greeting. In a formal letter, you should write: “Dear Sir/Madam. Surname: After the salutation, a colon must be used in informal letters, and a comma in informal letters.
5. Letter text: After skipping a line, the letter text should begin. Break your thoughts into separate paragraphs in the body of your letter to keep your writing presentable. Leave a blank line between paragraphs
6. Subscription - To embed a subscription, omit one of the last lines. "Sincerely", "Sincerely", "Best Regards" or similar can be used as a closure. Regardless of whether the letter is official or informal, a comma should always follow the word or phrase you choose to close.
7. Signature Text - Next, skip three lines (where your handwritten signature will be inserted) and enter your full name. On the next line of a formal letter, you should also add your job title.

Different types of letters

Letters can be classified into two main types depending on the purpose of the letter.

formal letters- Also called business letters, this includes letters of application, letters to higher positions and letters to newspapers.

informal letters- Also known as companion letters, these include friendship letters and invitation notes.

Letter writing tips to remember

Good letter writing should ensure that you are conveying the right information to people. The method changes for each letter. But there are a few things to keep in mind when writing a letter:

• Identify the type of letter you are writing.
• The introduction and the conclusion must be written correctly.
• Establish the intent of the letter.
• Be very aware of the language you use. The language may change depending on the letter.
• The length of the letter should be optimal, i.e. neither too long nor too short.

Examples of writing letters

Pattern 1: Informal letters

Subject: Replying to a friend about planning a meeting

Subject - Letter to a friend informing her that she is participating in a case study as part of a school assignment

Example 2: Formal letters

Subject – request letter

Subject - Letter to the editor about a road in need of rehabilitation