Mastering Formal Letters & Persuasion
Mastering Formal Letters & Persuasion
Lesson duration is: 3 minItems in this lesson
Mastering Formal Letters & Persuasion
What Is a Formal Letter?
A formal letter is a written message for official or professional purposes, often to organisations or people you do not know personally.
When to Use a Formal Letter
Use formal letters for job applications, complaints, requests, or any official communication.
Structure of a Formal Letter
Example
Sender’s address, date, recipient’s address, greeting, main body, closing, signature.
Essential Parts
Formal Greetings & Closings
Start with 'Dear Sir/Madam' or a title and surname. End with 'Yours sincerely' if you know the name, 'Yours faithfully' if you do not.
Purpose of Persuasion
Persuasion in formal letters encourages readers to agree with your point of view or take a specific action.
Key Persuasive Techniques
🟢 Sentence starters
One reason is that…
Another important reason is…
This is important because…
For example…
In fact…
Sentence starters (to begin your ideas)
I strongly believe that…
I think it is important that…
I am writing to ask you to…
Have you ever thought about…
I would like to suggest that…
🟡 Giving reasons and facts
More Techniques to Persuade
Please consider this idea.
I kindly ask you to…
I hope you will agree that…
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
I would really appreciate it if…
🟣 Being polite but convincing
It would be amazing if…
It is unfair that…
This would make students very happy because…
It is a great opportunity to…
Everyone would benefit from…
🔵 Emotive language
Top Tips for Persuasive Writing
Plan your arguments. Stay clear and polite. Use facts and examples to strengthen your case.
Model Paragraph
"I strongly believe that a new library would benefit our school. Research shows that students who read regularly succeed more in exams."
Spot Persuasive Features
Can you identify the persuasive words and techniques in the model paragraph?
Do & Don't: Formal Letter Style
Use slang, be rude, or forget to add a conclusion.
Be polite and clear. Structure your letter. Support your points.
Don't
Do
Activity: Write Your Own
Write a formal letter to your headteacher, persuading them to improve something at school. Use at least two persuasive techniques.
Reflect & Share
What persuasive techniques did you use? Share and discuss your letter with a partner.
Lesson Recap
You can now identify key features of formal letters and spot persuasive techniques in writing.
