CHAPTER 5.

Letter Writing

S a l w a n i R a h m a n i a r, S . P d
English for XI
Science/Social 2021
 Types of
Formal letter
Letters
Types
of
Letters

Personal Formal
Letter Letter
 SUB-MATERIALS

Definition
Structure of Personal Letter
Types of Personal Letter
Examples
DEFINITION
Personal letters are the letters that are
written to people we know such as
friends, parents, siblings, cousins.

Letters are not only written to inform but

to strengthen the bond between two
people writing to each other.
 Some useful expressions for letter
writing
 Gratitude
- I'm just writing to thank you for ...
- It was very kind of you to ...
- Thanks very much for ...
- I am very grateful for ...

 Giving advice
- Well, I thought about it and if I were you, I would .
- Have you thought about ...
- In your last letter you said you weren't sure what course of action to take, I
suggest ...
- I think you shouldn't ...
- In your last letter you asked me about ..., I think ...
 Delivering good news
- I'm sure you will be happy to hear that ...
- By the way, did you know that ... ?
- OMG!! You'll never guess what happened!
- I am totally ecstatic to hear about ...
- I was happy beyond limits to read that ...

 Delivering bad news

- I'm sorry but I have to tell you that ...
- Bad news, I'm afraid but no way to avoid it, so here it goes ...
- I'm extremely sorry to hear that ...
- It was heart wrenching to read
about ...
 Asking for help
- I wonder if you could help me.
- I hope it's not too much to ask about...
- I wonder if I could ask you a favor. Could you...?

 Apologizing
- I would like to apologize for...
- I'm so sorry that...
- Words are not enough to erase the pain I have given
you but I want to say how sorry I am for...
Structure
Structure of Personal Letter
1. Sender’s address: place where you are writing
2. Date : Jakarta, August 23rd 2014 (sometimes it is omitted)
3. Greeting : usually starts with the word “dear,” followed by name of the
recipient, and it ends with a comma; Dear Hiroshi,
4. Introduction : this is the opening of a letter. It usually in the form of
greeting such as “How are you.” Sometimes you may refer to a previous
letter. For example, “As you asked in your last letter, I’m going to tell you
about …”
5. Body of the letter : the main part of the letter, includes the message that
the writer wants to tell to the recipient.
6. Closure : this is where writer usually says something to end the message.
For example, “bye now.”
7. Complimentary close : a short expression before signature; it ends with a
comma. For example, “Best regards,” “Sincerely Yours.”
8. Signature : the signature of write
Parts of Personal Letter
 1. The • Place where you are writing from. All
sender’s that is needed your street address, city,
address province/state and post code.

2. Date • Date when the letter is written

3. • Greeting and the recipient’s name

Salutation • “Dear”, “My dear……”, “My Love”,
“Sweetheart”
and Name
 • The opening of the letter usually starts with “how are
4. Introductory you?” or refers to previous letter.
paragraph/Introduction • “How are you?” “How are things?” “Hope you’re well”
• “Sorry for answering late”

5. Body paragraph/the • The main part of the letter. It includes what you want
content of the letter to write to the other person.

• This part indicates the letter is going to end.

6. Closing • “Reply soon”
paragraph/closure • “I’m waiting for a quick reply”
• “see you”
 • Short expressions like
7.
Complementar
“love you”, “sincerely
y close yours”, “love”, “kind
regards”

• Signature or initials of
8. Signature
the writer
P.S. (postscript)

If you want to add anything to the letter, you write

a P.S. (postscript) and the message after that.
 Types of Personal Letters
• Family Letters
• Love Letters
• Pen Pal Letters
• Personal Business Letters
• fans mail,
• farewell letter
• thank you letter
• congratulation letter, and
• condolence letter.
Language Feature of Personal Letters
Sentences Structure:
 Using various tenses such as present tense when tell about event at
present time, past tense to tell about the past event, or future tense to tell
the writer’s intention. It depends on what the writer talks about.
 Using contracted form; I’m, It’s, etc.
 Using pronouns to replace repeated nouns; it, you, them, your, etc.
 Using linking words; and, but, so, because, etc.
 Using active voice
Slang language can be used
Style: 
 Language use may be personal like first and second person
pronouns
Friendly
 Use person’s name you are writing to
 Write the letter naturally and in conversational style
Make your personality feels nice in your writing
EXAMPLES
 Sender’s address

The introductory paragraph

The body paragraph

The closing paragraph

Complimentary close
Personal letter can be typed or hand written
 LET’S DO
EXERCISES!
EXERCISE 1
Exercise 2 Kompleks Tiga Tujuh no. 48
Text No 1 Surabaya
 
10 December 2016
 
Didi
Jln. Rumah Baru no. 13
Surabaya
 
Dear Didi,
Hi Didi. What’s up? I am now inviting you to attend our Christmas party in my house in Kompleks Anggur. I’ll be having
the celebration on the 23rd of December 2016 at 12 p.m.
Even though you don’t celebrate Christmas, I would ask you to join the fun as you have been a very special relative to us.
Please bring with you your siblings because my sister has prepared special activities and games. And you must miss my
father’s cooking. He’ll cook again this year.
See you there.
 
Love, Question:
 
Elizabeth
1. What is the purpose of the text?
Text No 2

Kompleks Tiga Tujuh no. 60

Surabaya
 
10 June 2016
 
Didi
Jln. Rumah Baru no. 13
Surabaya
 
Dear Didi,
We are delighted to hear that you get into the Department of Economics in University of Labu. It is one of the toughest program to get into in the country. We must say that we are impressed. Remember those nights without sleep? You’ve made it.
But remember that getting into it is not enough. You still have four years of hard work in the future. In the meantime, you should have some celebrations. We have a special gift only for you. I hope it will be useful.
 
Love,
 
Uncle and Aunt Wijaya

Question:
2. What is the purpose of the text?
TEXT NO. 3-5 Kompleks Tiga Tujuh no. 8
Surabaya
 
10 June 2016
 
Restoran Indah Jaya
Jln. Rumah Baru no. 13
Surabaya
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to complain of the service I received from your restaurant, Indah Jaya, on June 1, 2016.
My family and I were standing in line during lunchtime, which were crowed. After half an hour, I had noticed that
your staff took several groups of people to their tables. The problem was that those people arrived after us. I
confronted your staff, but the staff said that they had reserved the tables.
As I was waiting, I started to notice a pattern. I could see that your staff received some tips from people. After
receiving some gratuities, your staff would take those customers to the tables. I hadn’t know that your restaurants
had a fast lane. Because I felt furious after knowing the truth, I wrote down the staff’s name, which was Lisa Cole,
and decided to write you a letter instead.
I trust this is not the way your restaurant conduct business. This treatment is unfair. This needs to stop. I would like
your restaurant to do something about it.
 
Yours,
 
Mrs. Tina Gonzales
Question no. 3
What is the purpose of the
text?

Question no. 4
What is the problem stated in the text?

Question no. 5
The underlined word ’gratuities’ from the third paragraph
most likely means ...
Write your personal letter based on
the lesson we have learned today!