Examples of Formal letters:
Dear Yud Bet 5 pointers and Yud Aleph English Speakers,
As you know, you will have to write a formal letter on your Bagrut exam,
and therefore on your Magen exam as well. Here are some useful tips to
know when writing the formal letter:
1. Do NOT use contractions!! (can’t, don’t, I’m, it’s, you’re etc.)
Write the words out in full:
I cannot/I do not/ I am/ it is/ you are etc.
2. Do NOT use informal language. For example, say :
a. “children” or “pupils”, not “kids”
b. “I was angry”, not “I was really pissed”
c. “The food was inedible,” NOT “the food was lousy”.
You get the point.
3. Don’t forget to use capital letters and correct
punctuation:
Dear Sir,
Dear Madam,
Dear Ms. Livnat,
Very truly yours, (note that “truly” and “yours” do
not take capital letters)
Sincerely yours,
To Whom it May Concern,
February 31, 2003 (note the way dates are written in
English!)
Mr. George W. Bush, President of the United
States
The White House
2600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.
Good Phrases to use when writing a formal letter:
Read the phrases and translate them.
a. “It has come to my attention that…”
________________________________________
b. “I would appreciate it if you took my comments INTO consideration”
____________________________________________
c. “In my HUMBLE opinion……………”
___________________________________________
d. “Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.”
_____________________________________
e. “I ask you to re-consider this matter/proposal/idea/ etc.”
______________________________________________
f. “I urge you to put this proposal into effect as soon as possible.”
___________________________________________
g. “I look forward to receiving a prompt reply” (only if it is
appropriate to write this; don’t write it, for example, if you’re writing a
letter to the editor of a newspaper.
Editors never reply to letters to
the editor) .
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Choose one of the following subjects and write a formal letter:



Write a formal invitation to a social event.
An apology letter to a business company about a mistake you make
in advertising it.
A formal letter to the mayor of your town stating a problem you
have in your neighborhood asking for his involvement to arrange the
problem.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Opening & Ending your letter
You write to
an unknown
firm/person
How to begin the letter
How to end the letter
Dear Sir/Madam
Yours faithfully
Dear Sir or Madam
Yours truly
To whom it may concern
Truly yours
Yours faithfully
a woman whose name
you don't know
Dear Madam
Yours truly
Truly yours
Yours faithfully
a man whose name you
don't know
Dear Sir
Yours truly
Truly yours
Yours sincerely
a person whose name
you know
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Fisher
Very truly yours
Sincerely (yours)
(With) Best wishes
Yours
a person you know
personally
Dear Ann/John
Love
All the best
Kindest/Best regards
Answer the following questions:
1. You are writing to the army, you will open your letter with
________________
2. You are writing to the head of the art department in N.Y. University, you will
end your letter with ________________________
3. You are writing to Marry from the Catering your office is working with, you
will open the letter with _____________________
4. You are writing to a person who found your wallet and sent it to you with a
deliver, you will end the letter with _____________________