Letters

Letters are primarily formal pieces of writing that are sent between two people. The exam board will usually never ask you to write an informal letter, however read the question carefully and make sure! When writing a letter, it is important to think about the recipient as this will usually be a specific person named. One of the more challenging aspects of writing a letter is setting it out correctly. Depending on the question, the purpose of a letter can vary a lot as letters are used for lots of different reasons. Typically, letters do not use anything like sub-headings or headings – only paragraphs.

A possible template:

Write the address you’re sending the letter to here.

Use the address provided in the question if there is one.

Make sure each line of the address has a comma after it (except the last line).

Write your address here.

Make sure each line of the address has a comma after it (except the last line).

The date,

Dear sir/madam, (If they provide you with a name, then use the name. Also use their full name if it is a formal letter!)

Introduction: In this paragraph, try to introduce the topic you are writing about. For example, you may choose to start by informing the reader why you are writing to them.

Content: In these 3-4 paragraphs, you should discuss your ideas relating to the subject. Remember to discuss your ideas clearly and fully explain them, while avoiding repeating yourself.

Conclusion: This is where you end your letter. This might be by summing up your points or usually in a letter, this is where you state what you want the recipient to do as a result of reading your letter.

Yours faithfully, (If they provided you with a name to write the letter to, use yours sincerely instead!)

Example questions (have a go)

1. Write a letter of complaint about poor customer service that you have experienced recently in a shop.

2. Write a letter to your local school asking them to remind students to behave appropriately when journeying to and from school.

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