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Letter Writing (Formal) 01
A formal letter should state the reason for writing in the first paragraph so that the recipient is not confused.

Letter Writing (Formal) 01

Master formal letters for KS3 English: set out addresses, use clear paragraphs, and choose polite openings and endings to suit purpose and audience.

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Fascinating Fact:

Use a respectful opening line, I am writing to request a replacement under warranty sets a firm purpose.

In KS3 English, formal letter writing means using a clear layout, precise language, and an appropriate tone. State your purpose early, support it with organised paragraphs, and finish with a suitable sign-off.

  • Purpose: The main reason for writing, such as requesting, explaining, or complaining.
  • Register: The level of formality in your language to match audience and context.
  • Complimentary close: The polite ending of a letter, for example “Yours faithfully”.
How should I structure a formal letter for KS3?

Include your address and date, the recipient’s address, a clear salutation, concise paragraphs explaining your purpose, a courteous closing, and your name or signature.

What greeting and sign-off are correct in a formal letter?

Use “Dear Ms/Mr Surname” if you know the name. End with “Yours sincerely”. If you use “Dear Sir/Madam”, end with “Yours faithfully”.

How do I keep the tone formal but polite?

Choose precise verbs, avoid slang, use full sentences, and be respectful: state facts, give evidence, and make requests clearly rather than demanding.

1 .
Which information is used at the top right of the letter?
Date
Recipient name and address
Salutation
Sender address
Remember "salutation" is the greeting you use
2 .
Which information follows the sender's address?
Date
Recipient name and address
Salutation
Sender address
The date is placed underneath the sender address
3 .
How should the date be written in a formal letter?
In numbers but with the month as a word
In numbers only
In words but with the month as a number
In words only
"24th July 2023" is correct
4 .
What is on the left of the page and level with the date?
Recipient name and address
Salutation
Sender address
Valediction
"Recipient" means the person to whom you are writing
5 .
What is written below the recipient's address?
Recipient name
Salutation
Valediction
Your (sender) name
"Dear Sir/Madam" or "Dear Seamus" are examples of salutations
6 .
What might you include next in your letter?
A reference to show your reason for writing
A title, e.g. "A letter of complaint to the bank"
Your (sender) name
Your reason for writing
If writing for a job, you might use "Re: Position of Saturday Assistant". This would be similar to the subject line of an email
7 .
What should your first paragraph state?
A reference to show your reason for writing
Tasks for the recipient to carry out
What you wish to happen next
Your reason for writing
Your opening lines say why you are writing the letter
8 .
Which term describes the middle of a letter?
Body
Ending
Head
Opening
The body of the letter explains your purpose in detail
9 .
The concluding paragraph states .......
A farewell
A greeting
What has already happened
What you wish to happen next
End with "Yours faithfully" or "Yours sincerely"
10 .
At the very end of the letter you need to .......
Print the recipient's name
Print your name
Sign and print your name
Sign your name
Sign the letter then print your name below
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - How to write a formal letter

Author:  Sue Daish (English Teacher, Principal Examiner & Published Author)

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