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Letter Writing

A letter has a date, greeting (Dearโ€ฆ), body paragraphs, a closing (Yours sincerely) and your name. An informal letter to a friend can be more relaxed.

๐Ÿ’ก Fun fact

The first postage stamp was introduced in 1840.

All about Letter Writing

A letter has several parts. It usually includes the sender's address and date, a greeting such as "Dear Sam," the body of the letter in paragraphs, a closing such as "Yours sincerely" or "Love," and your name. Formal and informal letters use different language.

An informal letter to a friend or relative can be chatty and relaxed. A formal letter, such as a letter to a shop or school, uses polite language, a clear purpose and a full name for the greeting.

๐ŸŽฎ Try it yourself!

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Real-life uses of Letter Writing

  • Writing thank-you notes to friends and family
  • Requesting information from a company or organisation
  • Sending a letter to a pen pal in another country

Frequently asked questions about Letter Writing

When do I use "Yours sincerely" and "Yours faithfully"?

"Yours sincerely" is used when you know the name of the person. "Yours faithfully" is used when you start with "Dear Sir or Madam".

What goes in the body of a letter?

Your main message, written in clear paragraphs, with the most important information first.

Should I write a letter or an email for school?

Ask your teacher. Formal letters follow a fixed layout, while emails are usually shorter and quicker.