Thank you, Ms Wang, for this set of formal writing notes! =)
Formal Language (Use for people of higher positions)
Register
Formal
To authority
Beginning Salutation
Dear Sir,
Dear Mr Lim,
Dear Manager, X
Greeting
Do not write any greetings.
Purpose
I would like …. (Same as informal. Learn this. Easier)
I am writing to…
Closure/Restating the purpose
Reinforce purpose and do a closure if necessary.
Ending Salutation
If you know the name/surname of the recipient, use:
Yours sincerely,
Lu Lu Wang
If you don’t know the name/surname of the recipient, use:
Yours faithfully,
Chia San San
For formal ending salutation, you must always include your surname if it is given.
REMINDERS:
1. Task box is extremely important. You must read the task box as it gives you the recipient or audience you are writing to, the type of writing, who you are signing off as and the purpose of your writing. Remember to check if you are to sign off as a boy or girl. Use obvious male or female names.
2. Write only the information that answer to the questions asked. You may add a few more lines to make your writing coherent and logical. However, do not copy and write in all information because you want to save your time for your composition.
3. Missing out any of the points to be answered will make you score 3 to 4 marks out 6 marks straight away.
4. You must answer the questions explicitly so that you make sense to the recipient and get the content marks.
Do not cut short your answers assuming the reader knows the questions asked. For example: What did you do during the first week of the June holidays?
Your answer: I went swimming. (No content marks as you did not explicitly state that it was done during the first week of the June holidays as asked.)
Correct answer: I went swimming during the first week of the June holidays.
4. Check your work again and again when you have time.
Others:
For feelings: Use only adjectives such as angry, happy, sad, disappointed, upset, elated and delighted.
For values: responsibility, respect, compassion, kindness, integrity, teamwork, cooperation
Example:
I learn to be responsible from the manager.
I learn the value, compassion, from the prefect.
I learn the value, respect, from the girl.
I learn the value of teamwork from the group.
I learn the value of cooperation from the team.
Register
Formal
To authority
- teacher, principal, those you don’t know
Beginning Salutation
Dear Sir,
Dear Mr Lim,
Dear Manager, X
Greeting
Do not write any greetings.
Purpose
I would like …. (Same as informal. Learn this. Easier)
I am writing to…
Closure/Restating the purpose
Reinforce purpose and do a closure if necessary.
Ending Salutation
If you know the name/surname of the recipient, use:
Yours sincerely,
Lu Lu Wang
If you don’t know the name/surname of the recipient, use:
Yours faithfully,
Chia San San
For formal ending salutation, you must always include your surname if it is given.
REMINDERS:
1. Task box is extremely important. You must read the task box as it gives you the recipient or audience you are writing to, the type of writing, who you are signing off as and the purpose of your writing. Remember to check if you are to sign off as a boy or girl. Use obvious male or female names.
2. Write only the information that answer to the questions asked. You may add a few more lines to make your writing coherent and logical. However, do not copy and write in all information because you want to save your time for your composition.
3. Missing out any of the points to be answered will make you score 3 to 4 marks out 6 marks straight away.
4. You must answer the questions explicitly so that you make sense to the recipient and get the content marks.
Do not cut short your answers assuming the reader knows the questions asked. For example: What did you do during the first week of the June holidays?
Your answer: I went swimming. (No content marks as you did not explicitly state that it was done during the first week of the June holidays as asked.)
Correct answer: I went swimming during the first week of the June holidays.
4. Check your work again and again when you have time.
Others:
For feelings: Use only adjectives such as angry, happy, sad, disappointed, upset, elated and delighted.
For values: responsibility, respect, compassion, kindness, integrity, teamwork, cooperation
Example:
I learn to be responsible from the manager.
I learn the value, compassion, from the prefect.
I learn the value, respect, from the girl.
I learn the value of teamwork from the group.
I learn the value of cooperation from the team.