How many different kinds of letter are there?
• Informal Letter
• Formal Letter
What are the differences between an informal
letter and a formal letter?
• Letter format
• The tone of writing
• The language used
When do we write this kind of letter and
who do we write to?
• write to friends or family members
• the tone is very informal
• sometimes, spoken language can
be used
Informal letters can take the form of a quick note t
invite a friend to a party, or they may be more
expansive in content.
Layout of an Informal Letter
Sender’s address
Date
Salutation (Dear Mom,)
Text
(with love,)Subscription
Signature
Opening:
How are you doing?
Closing:
Take care. / Write soon.
Formal Letter
Write to the “outside world”
example: business world
There are different kinds of formal letter.
• Complaint Letter
Make complaints
• Invitation Letter
Invite a guest to give a talk
• Letter of Application
Apply for a job
• Thank you Letter
Thank you for people’s hard work
Layout of a Formal Letter
Sender’s address
Date
Receiver’s Name
Receiver’s Title
Company’s Name
Company’s Address
Salutation
Text
Subscription
Signature
Printed Name and Title
Opening sentence:
I’m writing to…….
Closing sentence:
I’m looking forward to hearing/seeing from you.
Dear Mr. Chan,
Yours sincerely,
Dear Sir/Madam,
Yours faithfully,
Example:
Central Bank
Part-time Bank Clerk
• Required by a large bank in Central
• S.3 or above
• Knowledge of computer such as, Word, Excel
• Fluent in English & Chinese
• Experience not necessary
Interested parties, please send a letter of application
and resume to Central Bank, 25 Queen’s Road,
Hong Kong
Reason for writing
Express yourself clearly and concisely.
***When you want to apply for a job, many
companies ask for a letter of application.***
A letter of application gives more insight into the
applicant and enables the company to reject
many applicants before the interview stage.
It is therefore important to express yourself
clearly and make the most of this opportunity to
impress a prospective employer.
Flat A, 8/F. Block 7
B 1 Sunrise Gardens
198 Nathan Road
Kowloon
3 N E 2 1st June 1998
The Personnel Officer
Central Bank
25 Queen’s Road 4 A
Hong Kong
Dear Sir/Madam 5 H
6 M
Application for the post of Part-time Bank Clerk
I am writing to apply for the post of Part-time
Clerk, which was advertised in the South 7J
China Morning Post on 30th May.
I am a student at St Anne’s School and will
complete my Form 3 studies in July this year. 8 F
I am taking seven subjects at school and I
came first in Computer Studies last year.
In school, I have a lot of interests. I take part
in many extra-curricular activities. I am the
Secretary of the Computer Club and a
member of the Tennis Club. I also helped in 9 G
organising an Inter-class Mathematics
Competition last year.
I wish to work in a bank as I enjoy meeting
people and I am very interested in banking. I
hope to continue my studies while working. I
understand your bank encourages employees
10 K
to go in courses, and this is one reason why I
decided to apply for this post.
If you are interested in my application, I
should be glad to attend an interview at any 11 C
time which is convenient for you.
Yours faithfully 12 D
Doris Ng 13 L
Doris Ng 14 I
Hong Kong Post
PART TIME JUNIOR CLERK
Required by a large trading firm in TST
S3 or above
Knowledge of shorthand & typing
Fluent in English & Chinese
Experience not essential
Interested parties, please call Miss Chan
On 2178 8233 for an interview.
In your letter, you could express your interest by
referring to the nature of the job and career
prospects.
You might write that you are interested in trading,
or that you want to be given a chance to improve
your secretarial skills. Show that you are
interested and enthusiastic.
Make sure you have the right layout of the Letter
of Application. Tell more about yourself clearly
in the letter.
