NCERT Book Class 11 English Letter-writing

LETTER-WRITING 93

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LETTER-WRITING is an important channel of communication between
people who are geographically distant from one another. In
earlier times when the telephone and e-mail were not available,
the only means of communication between people was through
letters.
Letter-writing is a skill that has to be developed. In general
there are two types of letters: formal, that are written to convey
official business and information and informal, which are
personal letters to communicate with friends and family. Formal
letters are sent out when we need to write to various public
bodies or agencies for our requirements in civic life. For example,
we might have to ask for a certificate or to inform a change in
our address. A letter is usually one in a series of exchanges
between two people or parties.

Formal Letters
Let us now examine some of the steps in writing formal letters.
1. (i) Introducing oneself if it is the first time you are writing
(ii) Referring to an earlier letter if you are responding to it.
2. Stating the purpose of the letter
3. (i) Stating action/information required from the addressee
(ii) Explaining action taken/supplying information
4. (i) U rging action to be taken
(ii) Offering assistance in future
This is the basic structure of a letter. It will have to be
modified according to the purpose for which it is written and
the person to whom it is addressed.