Letter Writing: Formal and Informal
Learning when to use formal and informal language in letters
Letter Writing: Formal and Informal
Learning when to use formal and informal language in letters
Language Arts - Grade 4-5
- 1
You are writing to your principal to ask for more library time. Should your letter be formal or informal? Explain why.
Think about who is receiving the letter and how respectful your tone should be.
Your letter should be formal because you are writing to the principal about a school request. Formal writing shows respect and uses polite, careful language. - 2
You are writing to your cousin about your summer vacation. Should your letter be formal or informal? Explain why.
Your letter should be informal because you are writing to a family member you know well. Informal writing can sound friendly and relaxed. - 3
Read this greeting: "Hey Sam!" Is this greeting better for a formal letter or an informal letter? Explain your answer.
Look for words that sound casual.
This greeting is better for an informal letter because it sounds casual and friendly. A formal letter usually begins with a more respectful greeting such as "Dear Mr. Lee." - 4
Read this closing: "Sincerely, Maya" Is this closing better for a formal letter or an informal letter? Explain your answer.
This closing is better for a formal letter because "Sincerely" is a polite and respectful way to end a letter. It is often used when writing to adults, teachers, or people in official roles. - 5
Rewrite this informal sentence to make it formal: "I wanna tell you our class needs new games for recess."
Replace casual words with more complete and polite wording.
One formal rewrite is: "I would like to tell you that our class needs new games for recess." This version uses standard, respectful language. - 6
Rewrite this formal sentence to make it informal: "I am writing to inform you that I enjoyed my visit to your home."
One informal rewrite is: "I wanted to tell you that I had a great time at your house." This version sounds more natural and friendly for someone you know well. - 7
Write a greeting and a closing for a formal letter to your teacher.
Use polite words at both the beginning and the end.
One good example is: "Dear Ms. Carter," for the greeting and "Sincerely, Jordan" for the closing. These parts sound respectful and appropriate for a formal letter. - 8
Write a greeting and a closing for an informal letter to your best friend.
One good example is: "Hi Ava," for the greeting and "Your friend, Liam" for the closing. These parts sound warm and personal for an informal letter. - 9
A student writes this sentence in a letter to the mayor: "Thanks a bunch for helping our town. You are awesome!" Should this sentence stay the same in a formal letter? Explain what should change.
Think about whether the words sound too casual for an important community leader.
This sentence should be changed because it sounds too casual for a formal letter. A better version is: "Thank you for helping our town. We appreciate your work." This version is polite and respectful. - 10
Write two sentences for an informal letter to a grandparent telling about something fun you did at school. Use friendly language.
One possible answer is: "We had a science fair at school today, and I got to show my volcano project. I had so much fun sharing it with my class." These sentences sound friendly and personal.