Formal Letter Writing
Class 11 English Core – Master All Formats
Welcome to the ultimate guide on Formal Letter Writing for Class 11 English. In the CBSE board exams, a formal letter carries significant marks. This guide covers the exact formats, rules, and solved examples for Business Letters, Official Letters, Letters to the Editor, and Job Applications.
📝 The Standard CBSE Layout
Every formal letter follows a strict structural flow. Memorize this sequence:
2. Date (e.g., 20 March 202X)
3. Receiver’s Address (Designation, Company/Organization, City)
4. Subject: (Brief and to the point)
5. Salutation: (Dear Sir / Madam)
6. Body of the Letter:
– Para 1: Introduction & Purpose
– Para 2: Main Details / Explanation
– Para 3: Conclusion & Expected Action
7. Complimentary Close: (Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely)
8. Signature & Name
📰 Part 1: Letter to the Editor
Written to the editor of a newspaper or magazine to highlight a social issue, express an opinion, or raise public awareness.
💡 Solved Example: Letter to Editor
Q. You are Rohan/Rhea residing at 15, MG Road, Agra. Write a letter to the Editor of ‘The Times of India’ drawing attention to the frequent power cuts in your locality.
Agra
25 April 202X
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Subject: Frequent power cuts in the MG Road area.
Dear Sir,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the persistent issue of frequent power cuts in our locality, MG Road, Agra.
For the past month, we have been facing power outages lasting 4 to 6 hours daily. This has caused immense hardship, especially to students preparing for their board exams and senior citizens during the sweltering heat. The erratic supply also damages household electrical appliances.
Despite multiple complaints to the local electricity board, no permanent solution has been provided. I hope this letter serves as a wake-up call to the authorities to take immediate action and restore regular power supply to our area.
Yours faithfully,
(Signature)
Rohan
🏢 Part 2: Business Letter (Placing an Order)
Written to commercial firms for business purposes like placing orders, making inquiries, or registering complaints.
💡 Solved Example: Placing an Order
Q. You are the Librarian of Delhi Public School. Write a letter to Sharma Books Depot, placing an order for some books for your school library.
Delhi Public School
New Delhi
10 May 202X
The Manager
Sharma Books Depot
Kashmere Gate, Delhi
Subject: Placement of order for library books.
Dear Sir,
We have been regular customers of your esteemed bookstore for years. Thank you for the catalogue and quotation you sent last week. We are pleased to place an order for the following books for our school library:
1. Advanced English Grammar (Wren & Martin) – 10 Copies
2. Oxford Dictionary – 5 Copies
3. Class 11 Physics NCERT – 15 Copies
Please ensure that all the books are of the latest edition and in excellent condition. Any damaged books will be returned at your cost. Kindly dispatch the order within a week. Payment will be made by cheque upon delivery and after checking the standard 15% institutional discount.
Yours faithfully,
(Signature)
Rahul Verma
(Librarian)
💼 Part 3: Job Application & Bio-Data
A Job Application consists of two distinct parts: The Cover Letter (the formal letter applying for the job) and the Bio-Data/Resume (enclosed separately).
💡 Solved Example: Job Application
Q. Write an application for the post of English Teacher in Apex Public School, Jaipur, in response to their advertisement in ‘The Hindu’. Include your Bio-data.
Jaipur
12 June 202X
The Principal
Apex Public School
Jaipur
Subject: Application for the post of PGT English.
Dear Sir/Madam,
With reference to your advertisement published in ‘The Hindu’ dated 10th June 202X, I would like to offer my candidature for the post of PGT English in your esteemed institution.
I hold a Master’s degree in English Literature and a B.Ed. degree. I have over four years of teaching experience and am deeply passionate about fostering a love for literature in students. I am a dedicated professional with excellent communication skills.
I am enclosing my detailed bio-data for your kind perusal. If given an opportunity, I assure you of my utmost sincerity and dedication to the school’s vision.
Yours faithfully,
(Signature)
Aarti Singh
Encl: Bio-Data
BIO-DATA
Name: Aarti SinghFather’s Name: Mr. R.K. Singh
Date of Birth: 15 August 1995
Address: 42, Civil Lines, Jaipur
Contact No: +91-9876543210
Email: aarti.singh@email.com
Educational Qualifications:
– B.A. (Hons) English from Delhi University (2016) – 78%
– M.A. English from IGNOU (2018) – 75%
– B.Ed. from Rajasthan University (2020) – 82%
Experience: 4 Years as TGT English at Sunrise Global School, Jaipur.
Languages Known: English, Hindi.
References:
1. Dr. S. Mehta, HOD English, Sunrise Global School.
2. Mr. V. Kumar, Principal, Sunrise Global School.
🎯 Test Your Knowledge: Top 10 MCQs
1. What is the correct position for the Sender’s Address in a formal letter?
A) Bottom right corner
B) Top left corner
C) Top right corner
D) Below the signature
Answer: B) Top left corner
2. Which of the following is the correct format for writing the date?
A) 15/03/2024
B) March 15, 2024
C) 15 March 2024
D) 15th March ’24
Answer: C) 15 March 2024
3. In a formal letter, what is written right below the Date?
A) The Subject
B) The Sender’s Address
C) The Receiver’s Address/Designation
D) The Salutation
Answer: C) The Receiver’s Address/Designation
4. What does the ‘Subject’ of a formal letter contain?
A) A long explanation of the problem
B) A brief, one-line summary of the letter’s purpose
C) The sender’s name and details
D) A greeting to the receiver
Answer: B) A brief, one-line summary of the letter’s purpose
5. Which of these is the most appropriate salutation for an Official Letter?
A) My Dear Friend
B) Respected Sir / Madam
C) Dear Sir / Madam
D) Hello Sir
Answer: C) Dear Sir / Madam
6. If you are writing a letter to complain about a broken product, it falls under which category?
A) Letter to the Editor
B) Job Application
C) Business Letter
D) Informal Letter
Answer: C) Business Letter
7. What must ALWAYS be attached with a Job Application?
A) A blank cheque
B) A Bio-data / Resume
C) A medical certificate
D) Original degree certificates
Answer: B) A Bio-data / Resume
8. How should the complimentary close ‘yours faithfully’ be written properly?
A) Yours Faithfully
B) Your’s Faithfully
C) Yours faithfully
D) Your faithfully
Answer: C) Yours faithfully (Only the first letter ‘Y’ is capital)
9. What does the abbreviation “Encl.” stand for at the end of a letter?
A) Enclosed/Enclosures
B) Encrypted
C) End of Circular
D) English Class
Answer: A) Enclosed/Enclosures
10. The tone of a Letter to the Editor should be:
A) Very angry and abusive
B) Casual and friendly
C) Formal, polite, and objective
D) Poetic and emotional
Answer: C) Formal, polite, and objective