Introduction to Formal Letters
A formal letter is a type of letter which is used to convey thankfulness or complaining against a person or situation who is generally an official. This letter has a particular format and has several forms too. Formal letters can be used in a wide range. The places include schools, colleges, offices and government places.
The message in a letter should be precise, unambiguous, concise, intriguing, and easily understandable. This article deals with the study of different types of formal letters. We shall discuss in detail formal letter formats, letter templates, and layout.
Formal Letter Format
The details of the formal letter format are given below.
Sender’s Address
Date
Name/Designation of Addressee
Address of the Addressee
Salutation
SubjectBody – Introduction, Content, Conclusion
Complimentary Close
Signature / Name of the Sender
Designation of the Sender
Types of Formal Letters & Formal Letter Format
A. Letter of Inquiry
Just like the name implies, these letters are the means of collecting any information. Usually, the letter of inquiry is chosen by people as a Business letter or a formal letter. People use this letter to gain information or knowledge regarding some academic or professional course or job inquiry, charges of various services, cost of goods, terms, and conditions or working agreements, etc. One must keep the following points in mind while writing a letter of inquiry.
Give a brief introduction about yourself.
Include the name of the organization (if possible).
The area of inquiry should be present in a clear and precise form.
Be clear and concise while writing down your queries and doubts.
Clearly mention the deadlines.
B. Order Letter
An order letter is broadly used to place an order for buying products. This letter is drafted by the customer and the three major parts of the order letter are as follows.
The features and specifications of the ordered items or the products must be stated clearly.
Proper details about the quantity or number of specific products to be ordered, model number, and other such relevant information must be mentioned.
The details related to the shipping of the products must be given precisely and clearly. For example, the information regarding the mode of transportation, shipping location, and the desired date for the goods to be delivered must be distinctly mentioned in the order letter.
All the inquiries related to the payment, including the date, mode and terms & conditions regarding the payment must be mentioned.
Let us suppose you placed an order for a few things and the quality of the actual items received differs from that as assured by the seller. What can be the solution to this sort of problem? In such a case, it is so obvious to either ask for the replacement of goods or a payment refund. To do so, you need to write a letter of complaint to the organization at which you placed the order.
The Below-Given Points Will Help You to Write An Order Letter
One must give all the details of the issue.
State the actions that you want to be taken.
Provide information like the date of shipment/delivery of the items, order number, or the details of the previous complaint (if any).
A deadline for the response as expected by the customer filing the complaint must be mentioned.
A specimen or a copy of the invoice must be attached.
One must be respectful in the writing tone but using assertive words is necessary so that the issue is taken seriously by the seller.
Any fake allegations against the seller should not be made in the order letter.
C. Reply to a Letter of Complaint
Suppose you received a letter of complaint and you want to respond to it. It is most necessary to look into such allegations minutely, as they may cost you your organization’s purposes, and reputation. To provide better customer services, it is essential for you to:
Address the problem and its effect on the customer.
Express your genuine concern and regrets about the issue.
Assert the course of actions you will take for the issue.
Mention a tentative deadline by which you can provide the services.
Assure the customer of no more similar complaints and troubles in the future.
Be very precise about every detail regarding the products.
D. Promotion Letter
The type of letters used for promoting new developments and up-gradations are known as promotion letters. The below-given points will help you to write a promotional letter.
Use clear, definite terms.
Use proper punctuation and correct spelling.
Avoid the use of any slang or fancy terminologies of jargon.
Discuss the promotion precisely.
Avoid the use of abbreviations.
E. Sales Letters
These letters are written to give information about a product to the customers for selling purposes. The facts and figures must be easily understandable, to strengthen the partnership relations and joint ventures. The basic yet extremely important points to be kept in mind while drafting a sales letter are as follows.
Use of formal language that is clear and easily understandable.
Do not use any abusive or informal words or phrases.
Avoid using abbreviations. Make clear and concise content.
Do not add unnecessary details that make the letter long.
Provide adequate details and features clearly that are to be conveyed to the reader.
F. Recovery Letters
The objective of writing a recovery letter is to recover the money from a consumer without bothering or annoying him. This type of letter should cover specifications and information regarding the following aspects.
Amount of due payment.
Last date of payment submission.
Details regarding legal action when payment will be overdue.
G. Sick leave application
H. Resignation letter
I. Job offer letter
J. Complaint letter
K. Business letter
L. Appointment letter
M. Leave application (marriage /maternity)
The Points to be kept in mind while writing the Recovery Letter are as Follows
It is a polite reminder.
The information and details must be provided in an easy language that is understandable by the customer.
Use of formal language while drafting the email.
Nothing about the necessary details should be skipped in the letter. The letter should not contain unnecessary details. Try to be to the point and never write out of the topic.
Only note down the things that are important and the subject matter. So, neither your time is wasted nor the readers.
A formal letter should be written in a formal tone but try to avoid a friendly tone because the person to whom you are sending this letter is not your friend.
The first thing a person is going to notice is your salutation. Make it appropriate so that it would sound proper and decent and not over-friendly.
Do not forget to mention the date in the formal letter. It should be mentioned properly either at the top of the letter or at the end of the letter. Most preferably, it is present at the beginning.
Do not forget to mention your name or the name of the person you are writing on the behalf of. It can be for a firm or any organization you are writing for. If not you can also use a stamp or seal for the particular organization on whose behalf you are writing it.
Express your gratitude at the end of the formal letter and do not end it casually. It should be formal, professional and appropriate.
The rest of the things which should be taken care of are the address, subject matter, date and salutations on the same side.
In addition, it is better to keep some space left if a letter needs to be stapled for some reason.
Formal Letter Format
FAQs on Formal Letters: Types and Formats
1. What is the standard format of a formal letter as per the CBSE 2025-26 curriculum?
A formal letter follows a specific structure to ensure clarity and professionalism. The correct format includes the following components in order:
- Sender’s Address: Your address, placed at the top left.
- Date: The date on which the letter is written, just below the sender's address.
- Receiver’s Address: The name, designation, and address of the recipient.
- Subject: A concise line that summarises the purpose of the letter.
- Salutation: A respectful greeting, such as 'Dear Sir/Madam' or 'Respected Sir/Madam'.
- Body: The main content, typically divided into three paragraphs (Introduction, Main Content, Conclusion).
- Complimentary Close: A polite closing, like 'Yours sincerely' or 'Yours faithfully'.
- Signature/Name: Your handwritten signature, followed by your typed full name.
2. What are the major types of formal letters students might need to write?
Students often encounter several types of formal letters for academic and official purposes. The most common types include:
- Letter of Inquiry: Written to request information about a course, service, or product.
- Letter of Complaint: Drafted to address an issue with a product or service, seeking a resolution.
- Order Letter: Used to place an order for goods or services.
- Job Application Letter: Sent with a resume when applying for a job or internship.
- Letter to the Editor: Written to a newspaper or magazine to express an opinion on a public issue.
3. What is the fundamental difference between a formal and an informal letter?
The primary difference lies in their purpose, tone, and format. A formal letter is used for official or professional communication, like business correspondence or letters to officials. It follows a strict format and maintains a professional, objective tone. In contrast, an informal letter is written to friends and family for personal communication, using a casual tone and a flexible format.
4. Why is the 'Subject' line so important in a formal letter, and how does it affect the reader?
The 'Subject' line is crucial because it immediately informs the recipient about the letter's purpose. In professional settings, it allows for quick sorting and directing of mail to the right person or department. A clear subject like 'Subject: Inquiry Regarding Commerce Stream Admission' sets a professional tone and provides essential context at a glance, ensuring the letter gets prompt and appropriate attention from a busy reader.
5. How should the body of a formal letter be structured for maximum clarity?
The body of a formal letter should be structured into three logical parts to ensure it is easy to understand:
- Introduction: The first paragraph should directly state the purpose of the letter.
- Main Content: The middle paragraph(s) should provide all the necessary details, evidence, or arguments to support your purpose in a clear and logical manner.
- Conclusion: The final paragraph should summarise your point and state the desired outcome or action, such as requesting a reply or expecting a resolution.
6. How does the purpose of a letter—like a complaint versus an inquiry—change the tone you should use?
While both letters must be formal, their tones differ significantly. A Letter of Inquiry should have a polite, curious, and respectful tone, as you are requesting information. In contrast, a Letter of Complaint should be firm and assertive to convey the seriousness of the issue, but it must remain respectful and avoid aggressive language. The goal is to state the problem and the desired resolution clearly and professionally.
7. How do you correctly choose a complimentary close, such as 'Yours faithfully' or 'Yours sincerely'?
The choice of complimentary close depends on your relationship with the recipient. The rule is simple:
- Use 'Yours faithfully,' when you do not know the recipient's name and have started the letter with a general salutation like 'Dear Sir/Madam'.
- Use 'Yours sincerely,' when you know the recipient's name and have addressed them directly, for example, 'Dear Mr. Sharma'.
8. Beyond format, what are the key elements of a professional writing style in formal correspondence?
A professional writing style goes beyond just the format. Key elements include:
- Clarity and Conciseness: Get straight to the point without using unnecessary words.
- Formal Language: Avoid using slang, contractions (e.g., use 'cannot' instead of 'can't'), and overly casual phrases.
- Objectivity: Present facts and arguments logically without excessive emotion.
- Correctness: Ensure there are no grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Proofreading is essential for maintaining credibility.
9. In what real-world business scenarios would a 'Letter of Inquiry' or an 'Order Letter' be used?
These letters have practical applications in the business world. For example, a retail store manager might write a Letter of Inquiry to a manufacturer to ask for their product catalogue and wholesale price list. After reviewing the details, the same manager would then write an Order Letter to formally purchase a specific quantity of those products for their store.
10. What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a formal letter for official purposes?
To ensure your formal letter is effective and professional, avoid these common errors:
- Being too vague: Always provide specific details like dates, order numbers, or reference numbers.
- Using an emotional or aggressive tone: Even in a complaint letter, maintain a respectful and objective tone.
- Grammar and spelling mistakes: These errors can make you appear unprofessional. Always proofread carefully.
- Forgetting the signature: An unsigned letter is incomplete and lacks official validation.
