Format of informal and formal letter - JSS2 English language Lesson Note

Introduction

Informal and formal letters have different purposes and thus, different formats. An informal letter is written to friends, family, or other close ones. A formal letter is written for official or business purposes.

Informal Letter Format:

An informal letter is usually written to a family member, close acquaintance, or friend. It has a casual and personal tone. Here’s how you can structure an informal letter:

1. Address and Date:

• Begin with the sender’s address on the left-hand side of the paper.
• Include the complete address, including the postal code (if there is ).
• If writing to someone in a different country, mention your country in the address.
• Example :    29, Abbot  Garden
                      Calabar, Nigeria.

Date:

• Write the date below the address.
• You can use either of the following formats:
  • April 20, 2024
  • 20th April 2024

Salutation (Greeting):

• Use a friendly greeting, such as “Dear [Name],” or simply “Hi [Name],”

Body of the Letter:

• Write in an easy, conversational style.
• Discuss various topics, share personal experiences, or convey your thoughts.
• Use colloquial expressions.

Closing:

• End the letter with a closing phrase, such as “Love,” “Take care,” or “Best wishes.”
• Sign your name below the closing.

Informal Letter Format

1. Address: Your address and the date should be on the top right corner.
2. Salutation: Start with a friendly greeting, like “Dear [Name]”.
3. Body: Write the content of your letter. It can be casual and conversational.
4. Closing: End with a friendly sign-off, like “Best wishes” or “Yours”.
5. Signature: Sign your name.

Example of an Informal letter;

St.Theresa's College,
Akoka, Yaba.
P.o Box 1230,
Lagos state.
12-04-2023.

Dear Fatima,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I wanted to share my excitement about the upcoming school trip to the wildlife sanctuary. Can you believe we'll get to see elephants and lions up close? Let's plan our adventure together!

Take care,
micheal.

Formal Letter Format:

A formal letter is typically used for official purposes, job applications, business inquiries, or official complaints. It has a serious and professional tone. Here’s the structure of a formal letter:

1. Sender’s Address and Date:

• Similar to an informal letter, start with the sender’s address on the left.
• Include the complete address and date.

Recipient’s Address:

• Write the recipient’s address on the left, below the sender’s address.
• Include the recipient’s name, designation, company/institution name, and address.

Salutation (Greeting):

• Use a formal greeting, such as “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],” or “To Whom It May Concern:”

Body of the Letter:

• Maintain a professional tone.
• Clearly state the purpose of the letter.
• Use formal vocabulary and proper grammar.
• Avoid colloquial language.

Closing:

• End with a formal closing phrase, such as “Sincerely,” “Yours faithfully,” or “Kind regards.”
• Sign your name below the closing.

Formal Letter Format

1. Sender’s Address: Your address and the date should be on the top right corner.
2. Recipient’s Address: The recipient’s address should be on the left, below
3. Salutation (Greeting): Use a formal greeting, such as “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],” or “To Whom It May Concern:”
4. Body of the Letter;
5. Closing: End with a formal closing phrase, such as “Sincerely,” “Yours faithfully,” or “Kind regard.

Example of formal letter;

St.Theresa’s College, Akoka, 

Yaba, P.o Box 1230,

Lagos state. 

12-04-2023.

 The Principal,

St. Theresa’s College, Akoka,

Yaba, P.o Box 1230,

 Lagos state.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to propose an educational excursion for the JSS 2 students of St. Theresa’s College. This trip would provide a valuable opportunity for the students to gain practical knowledge and experience outside the classroom.

The proposed destination for this excursion is the National Museum in Lagos. The museum offers a rich collection of Nigeria’s historical artifacts and will provide our students with a deeper understanding of our country’s heritage and culture.

The excursion will be scheduled for a weekday to minimize disruption to the regular school schedule. We will arrange for transportation and ensure that all safety measures are in place for the trip.

We believe that this excursion will not only be educational but also enjoyable for our students. It will provide them with a unique learning experience that complements their classroom studies.

We kindly request your approval to proceed with the planning of this excursion. We are confident that this educational trip will greatly benefit our students and contribute to their overall academic experience.

Thank you for considering our proposal. We look forward to your positive response.

Yours sincerely,

Micheal.