English Class, how to write a formal letter

1. Sample Format for Writing
a Letter

2. 1. Avoid contractions.
• All verb forms must be written in full.
• Inappropriate: This isn’t what we’d expect from a
professional service.
• Correct: This is not what we would expect from a
professional service.

3. 2. Do not use abbreviations.
• Abbreviations like BBC and RADAR are perfectly acceptable, but avoid
using informal abbreviations. For example, do not write info
for information; do not write ads for advertisement

4. 3. Avoid the use of informal degree
modifiers
• Degree modifiers such as really and so are informal in nature.
Avoid them. Instead, use extremely, highly, entirely etc.

5. 4. Avoid using set phrases and idioms.
• Inappropriate: I’m not losing any sleep over that.
• Appropriate: That doesn’t worry me at all.
• Inappropriate: He really gets on my nerves.
• Appropriate: He irritates me.

6. 5. Do not leave out words.
• In informal speech and writing, we sometimes leave out words. This
technique is called ellipsis. It is not considered appropriate in formal writing
and hence you have to avoid it.
• Inappropriate: Look forward to hearing from you.
• Appropriate: I look forward to hearing from you.

20. Letter #1
• Write a formal letter explaining why do you want to
be accepted in a very prestigious university.