FORMAL WRITING!- Can be used to apologise, seek permission or complain
- Structure / Format is important
- Use a
firm but polite and
positive tone
- Will be tested in
Mid Year Examination- Write letter to suit the nature of your
AUDIENCE- Use only formal language, strictly
NO SINGLISH![ Features of Formal Correspondence: ]1. Formal letterSender's name
Sender's Address
Date (DD/Month/YYYY)
Recipient's Name
Recipient's Designation
Recipient's Address
Salutation / Greeting (Dear Sir/Madam)
Title of the letter (Main topic) / Subject
Introduction (Use this paragraph to explain your purpose for writing)
Body (Supporting details and include additional information / suggestions to solve the problem)
Conclusion
Complimentary Close (Yours sincerely / faithfully)
Sender's Signature
Sender's Full Name
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. Useful expressions for introducing yourself and highlighting problem areas (Introduction)Introducing
self:
- I am a resident of Block 214 at Jurong West street 22.
- I live at Block 214 at Jurong West Street 22.
- I am a regular user of...
Introducing the
problems:
- I would like to draw your attention to the poor conditions of...
- I would like to bring your attention to a few shortcomings prevailing in the library...
- I would like to highlight the problem...
- I wish to express my dissatisfaction about...
- I wish to express my disappointment at the poor condition in the sports gym...
- I wish to draw your attention to the horrendous prices you charge...
- I wish to bring your attention to the danger lurking in...
- I am very perturbed by the appalling conditions prevailing in...
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. Useful expressions for asking the other party to do something about the problems (Conclusion)- I hope that you would look into the matter and take appropriate actions to...
- I hope that you would look into the above and consider improvements to...
- I hope that you would investigate...
_______________________________________________________________________________
4. An example of a complain formal letterChua Wei Shi
Block 335
Kang Ching Road
#12-286
Singapore 610335
6 April 2009
Chairman
Jurong West Residents' Committee
Block 13 Zone A Office
Ground Floor
Jurong West street 24
Singapore 600013
Dear Sir / Madam
[*Note that there is no comma!]Deteriorating living conditions at Block 214 at Jurong West street 22-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CONTENT----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yours faithfully (
NO COMMA!)
SIGNATURE HERE
Chua Wei Shi
_______________________________________________________________________________
5. Frequently Asked QuestionsSINCERELY or
FAITHFULLY?
If you use ‘Dear Sir or Madam,’ you end with ‘Yours faithfully’
If you use ‘Dear Mr / Mrs / Miss / Mdm / Dr (name of a person),’ you end with ‘Yours sincerely’
_______________________________________________________________________________
If you have any questions, just feel free to email me at:
merlion0512@hotmail.comWEISHI!
Labels: English