Style in Letters
The style of the letter varies depending on who it is addressed to. For instance, a letter to someone you do not know requires a formal style, a letter to someone you know but are not intimate with requires a semi-formal style, while a letter to a friend requires an informal style.
Formal letters contain
formal greetings and endings;
formal language i.e. complex sentences (Having spoken to the manager in person, I still feel my requests have not been satisfied.), non-colloquial English (Please keep me informed regarding any further developments, NOT: PIease keep me posted about what's happening.), frequent use of the passive (A two-week package holiday to the picturesque village of St Martin’s is being offered by our agency for only £3,600), and advanced vocabulary (I feel it is appropriate to explain to you some of the practices which are enforced throughout all of our
branches);
no abbreviated forms
Informal letters contain informal greetings and endings:
informal language and endings;
informal language style i.e. idioms (It was a blessing in disguise that I didn’t apply for the job as that company is now in deep financial trouble), phrasal verbs (I'll look you up next time I’m in Brussels.), colloquial English and omission of pronouns (Hope to see you soon!);
abbreviated forms
Semi-formal letters contain
formal greetings (Dear Mr and Mrs Smith);
informal endings (Best Wishes/Yours + full name);
a respectful tone depending on the relationship you have with the recipient of the letter. Also, pronouns should not be omitted and idioms should be carefully used.
1. Look at the different layouts. Which are used to write a formal, semi-formal or informal letter? Which one would you use to write a letter to:
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