Writing a Letter Flashcards
All 10 cards in this deck
What layout features show you are writing a formal letter?
Your address and the date at the top, a salutation ("Dear…"), paragraphs, and a sign-off with your name. In the exam a brief nod to the addresses is enough.
Which sign-off goes with "Dear Sir or Madam"?
"Yours faithfully": you use it when you don't know the person's name.
Which sign-off goes with "Dear Mrs Hale"?
"Yours sincerely": you use it when you've addressed the person by name.
How should you write the opening paragraph of a formal letter?
Say who you are, why you are writing, and your view, e.g. "As a Year 11 student at Northfield Academy, I am writing to oppose the proposal to…"
What register should a formal letter use, even when you're angry?
Formal and polite but firm. Controlled anger is more persuasive than rudeness, which lets the reader dismiss you.
How should a formal letter end?
Sum up your view and ask for a specific action or reply, e.g. "I urge you to reconsider, and I look forward to your response." Then the correct sign-off.
How do you begin a letter to a newspaper editor?
"Dear Editor" or "Dear Sir or Madam", signed off "Yours faithfully".
Why is it worth acknowledging the recipient's position in a letter?
Recognising their pressures ("I understand the council's budget is stretched…") shows respect and fairness, and makes your case harder to dismiss.
How should you write a letter to someone you know well, such as a relative?
Less formal: "Dear Gran", a warmer tone, and a sign-off such as "Best wishes" or "Love". It must still have a clear purpose and be written in accurate Standard English.
Who is the reader of a Paper 2 letter, and why does it matter?
Usually a named role (head teacher, editor, council, a local business). What you write should suit that person: proposals they can act on, or the information they need.