Still confused
Name: _________________ between formal and
informal writing?
Date: ___________________ Here are the
Situational Writing differences between
them!
Comparison Chart
Formal Informal
Format Dear _____, Dear _____,
I am writing How are you?
•They are the same!
this………………………………… ………………………………………
Everything should be pushed ……………………………………… …………………………………
to the left except for the
beginning of a new On 29th May at On 29th May at
paragraph.
……………………………………… ………………………………………
……………………………………… ………………………………………
• New paragraphs should begin
with two fingers’ spacing or at
where the comma is after the I felt really upset I felt really upset
salutation (Dear Henry,). about……………………………… about………………………………
……………………………………… ………………………………………
*Follow your school teacher’s
instructions and clarify if in doubt.
Yours sincerely, Regards,
May Tan May
*For invitation - introduce yourself
Salutation Dear Mr Tan, Dear Aunt Lucy,
Mr Steven Tan, Mother,
Sir
Friends
Person/people are always in
upper case (even “Friends”) as Sir/ Madam
they are used like a name of
address here. Use “Sir” or “Sir/ Madam” if no
name is given for the manager or
principal. Do not make up a
name of your own.
Friendly Greeting - How are you?
Closing Depends on the purpose of the For most purposes:
letter. You may choose to repeat I hope to hear from you soon.
(the sentence to end your
your purpose of writing again at
writing)
the end e.g. I look forward to your reply.
Begin with Invitation: I look forward to your
“I hope….” favourable reply and I hope…
“I look forward to…” Complaint: I hope such incidents
will not happen again.
Compliment: I look forward to
more great service in your
restaurant.
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Report: I hope the information
will be helpful for your
investigation.
Remember to thank the reader
at the end e.g.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Signing off Yours sincerely, Regards,
May Tan May
Correct choice of sign-off?
Yours faithfully, • Sign off without surname
May Tan • “Regards,” for any informal
With or without surname?
writing
• Sign off with surname
• choice of sign off
Determined by whether the name
of the person you are writing to is
given.
“Yours sincerely,”
> Given name (Dear Mr Raj, Ms
Lim)
“Yours faithfully,”
> No given name (Dear
Residents, Sir)
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