Letter Writing can be briefly defined as a hand written or typed message sent to the receiver via post or e-mail.
A letter writing can be formal or informal. Formal letters have pattern or procedure which are kept professionally. They have two addresses of the writer and the recipient. Letters to constituted authorities and business letters fall under this category.
Informal letters on the other hand, are letters to friends, parents, relatives and acquaintances. This type of letter has just one address of the writer.
Below are features of Informal letter:
1. Address: The writer’s address is needed and should be written at the right hand side in the block form with date. This type of letter has only one address.
2. Salutation: On the left hand side after your address, start from the margin of your writing material and write salutation such as: My dear father, Dear John, My dear Akeem etc followed by a comma.
3. Introduction: Start with familiar greetings, making sure you indent (paragraph) and start with your first letter word in capital letter. Use short forms of words, slang and colloquial expression should be in quotation mark. This makes your letter chatty and informal.
4. Body: Is the content of the letter, where you explain the purpose of your letter. It involves two or more paragraphs explaining in detail issues at stake.
5. Conclusion: Indent and send yours to those known to you and your friends or acquaintances.
6. Closing/Subscription: In an informal letter, it is preferable to close with yours sincerely, Yours affectionately, Your loving Son or daughter, Yours ever etc followed by a comma then on the next line, you conclude by writing your first name.
In summary, letter writing is a very important means of communication both in workspace and our personal lives. A good letter writing involves well grammatical structures, logicality and a brilliant conclusion.