Letter Writing
“Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company” - Lord Byron
Before the advent of modern technology made communication so easy, the art of writing a letter was considered an important requirement. Even today a letter is an important means of communication in both the workspace as well as our personal lives. So let us educate ourselves with the nuances of letter writing.
A letter is a written message that can be handwritten or printed on paper. It is usually sent to the recipient via mail or post in an envelope, although this is not a requirement as such. Any such message that is transferred via post is a letter, a written conversation between two parties.
Now that E-mails and texts and other such forms have become the norm for communication, the art of letter writing has taken a backseat. However, even today a lot of our communication, especially the formal kind, is done via letters. Whether it is a cover letter for a job, or the bank sending you a reminder or a college acceptance letter, letters are still an important mode of communication. Which is why it is important that we know the intricacies of letter writing.
What are the 3 types of letters?
• Formal Letters.
• Informal Letters.
• Semi-formal Letters.
Types of Letters
Let us first understand that there are broadly two types of letter, namely Formal Letters, and Informal Letters. But then there are also a few types of letters based on their contents, formalities, the purpose of letter writing etc. Let us have a look at the few types of letters.
Formal Letter: These letters follow a certain pattern and formality. They are strictly kept professional in nature, and directly address the issues concerned. Any type of business letter or letter to authorities falls within this given category.
Informal Letter: These are personal letters also referred to as friendly letters. They need not follow any set pattern or adhere to any formalities. They contain personal information or are a written conversation. Informal letters are generally written to friends, acquaintances, relatives etc.
Semi-formal Letter: A semi-formal letter is written to someone that you know by name and with whom you have a professional or business relationship with, for instance; your teacher, accountant, landlord, etc. The surname should be used when addressing them – Dear Mrs. Thomas, Dear Mr. Jones.
Examples of Formal Letters
• Business Letter: This letter is written among business correspondents, generally contains commercial information such as quotations, orders, complaints, claims, letters for collections etc. Such letters are always strictly formal and follow a structure and pattern of formalities.
• Official Letter: This type of letter is written to inform offices, branches, subordinates of official information. It usually relays official information like rules, regulations, procedures, events, or any other such information. Official letters are also formal in nature and follow certain structure and decorum.
• Employment Letters: Any letters with respect to the employment process, like joining letter, promotion letter, application letter etc.
Examples of Informal Letters
• Social Letter: A personal letter written on the occasion of a special event is known as a social letter. Congratulatory letter, condolence letter, invitation letter etc. are all social letters.
Examples of Semi-formal Letters
• Circular Letter: A letter that announces information to a large number of people is a circular letter. The same letter is circulated to a large group of people to communicate some important information like a change of address, change in management, the retirement of a colleague etc.
Also view the following posters for detailed information on various types of letters.
FULLY BLOCKED FORMAT
LETTERHEAD FORMAT
MEMORANDUM
OOW
2026
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