Important Facts

When writing a letter, choose the appropriate format since there are some marked differences
between a formal letter, such as a letter of application, a letter of complaint or a letter to the editor
and an informal letter to a friend or to a relative.

Yet all letters should contain these elements:
 Star by explaining why you are writing
 Define the subject matter in a formal

letter: a job application, a letter of complaint, a letter
to the editor
 In an informal letter you might refer to a letter you have received, your personal situation
etc.

The body of your letter should be clearly structured:
 A letter of application should contain all the relevant information (qualifications, experience,
motivation, etc).
 Concisely state the facts in a letter of complaint.
 Present your ideas logically when commenting on an article or a TV programme.
 A logical flow of ideas also creates coherence in an informal letter.
 Close the letter with a concluding remark on the final paragraph

Formal Letters

Begin with:

 Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Letterman
 Dear Sir or Madam (If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to.)

 To whom it may concern
The following phrases might be useful to explain why you are writing
 I am writing to ask/ to express
 I am writing in reply/ in response to/ in reference to
 With reference to your advertisement

You might use one of these phrases in
the final paragraph:

 I would be grateful if you
 I look forward to hearing from you.

Close your letter with:

 Yours truly

 Yours sincerely (if you know the person’s name and used it at the beginning)

 Yours Faithfully (if you don’t know the person’s name and used “Dear Sir or Madame” at the
beginning)

Letter to the Editor

Begin with “Sir” or “Madam or Sir”
In the first paragraph you should mention the article/programme you are responding to or the issue
you want to comment on.
Close the letter with your name and address.

Informal Letters

Begin with:
Dear + the person’s first name
Hi

Close your letter with:
Love (from)/ Lots of love (when writing to a close friend)

Best wishes / All the best / Yours (when writing to other people)

Short forms such as “I’m”, “you don’t“ etc. are perfectly acceptable.
Use colloquial language.

Consult a dictionary when in doubt. Some dictionaries also include information as to the appropriate
layout.

Summary

When summing up a text, you give a brief account, only covering the important points. Yet a concise
summary, marked by brevity and precision, requires a detailed knowledge and a thorough
understanding of the text. Thus you have to go through the text several times.
 When reading the text for the first time, make sure that you know words which appear to be
relevant.
 Then try to define the topic or subject matter of the text: What is it about?
 When reading the text again, underline key words, facts and ideas which are relevant and
crucial for understanding the text.
 Now make a draft, arranging the main points in a logical order.
 When writing the summary begin by stating what the text is about. You might also mention
the author and the title of the text.
 Then present the main ideas of the text, using connectives to create coherence

Basic rules of a SUMMERY

• A summery is preferably written in the present tense (simple form)
• Stick to what the text says. Do not go for interpretation or meaning.
• Do not analyze, repeat and present the text
• Avoid any personal comment
• unclude important facts, aspects and events only. Exclude all uninortant (meaning: expandable) details.
• Compress: Cut down vocabulary and shorten ling sentences.
• Avoid copying the vocabulary of the text as much as possible.
• Use your own words
• Do not include direct speech or text quotations