A formal letter is a type of written communication between two entities that follows a specific, formal format and language. Generally, formal letters are used for more serious or important matters such as legal documents, business correspondence, job applications, and official announcements. Formal letters include a salutation, body of the letter, complimentary close, and signature. When writing a formal letter, it is important to use a professional and respectful tone and to proofread your letter carefully for any errors.
A formal letter typically includes the following elements:
- The sender’s address: This includes the sender’s name, street address, city, state, and zip code.
- Date: The date the letter was written.
- The recipient’s address: This includes the recipient’s name, job title, company name, street address, city, state, and zip code.
- Salutation: The greeting to the recipient, typically “Dear” followed by the recipient’s name and title.
- Body: The main content of the letter, which includes the purpose of the letter, any relevant information or details, and any requests or actions the sender would like the recipient to take.
- Closing: A polite ending, such as “Sincerely” or “Kind regards,” followed by the sender’s name and signature.
- Enclosure: If the letter includes any attachments or documents, it is mentioned here.
- CC: If the letter is copied to any other person, it is mentioned here
It’s worth noting that this layout is a standard one, however, some variations can occur depending on the type of letter and the country.
