Formal or informal?

   

   

   FORMAL

   ·        “old-fashioned” letter

   ·        politely and carefully presented ideas

   ·        a lot of fixed expressions and “long” words

   ·        impersonal language

   

   NEUTRAL

   ·        simple, clear and direct language

   ·        short sentences

   ·        contractions are used

   ·        more personal language

   

   INFORMAL

   ·        closest to speech (everyday words, conversational expressions)

   

   

   

   

   

   Opening

     + if you do not know the name: Dear Madam / Dear Sir / Dear Sir or Madam
     + if you know the name: Dear Mrs Goodwin / Dear Mr Aspbury

   

   Closing

     + if you do not know the name: Yours faithfully,
     + if you know the name: Yours sincerely,
     + less formal: Yours truly, / Best regards, / Best wishes