Formal Letter

• English
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Writing - Formal Letter

My voice is almost gone...

So please try to keep the noise level down.

I will remove you from this class if you keep on interrupting me. You can then get a red card.

Unlike other students might have said, the topic of this year's exam will not be shared beforehand...

Why not?

The topic is fairly easy, all important words that you need to know or use have already been made available in the task instructions. 

How can you best prepare then?

You ought to have participated in class.

Learn the basic formal letter conventions and structure.

Learn the most common phrases and mistakes written in your booklets to prevent you from making any mistakes.

How do you start a letter to 'de heer' Roberts?

1. Dear Mr Roberts,
2. Dear Mr Roberts
3. Dear Mister Roberts
4. Dear Ms. Roberts,

It is okay to use contractions in formal letters.

1. True
2. False
3. Sometimes
4. I don't know

Which is the correct form in a formal letter?

1. I can't
2. I cannot
3. I can not
4. I am unable to can

The first paragraph of formal letters is for

1. asking questions
2. getting straight to the point
3. explaining the reason that you're writing
4. asking the reader how they are

The body of a formal letter is for:

1. explaining the reason that you're writing
2. giving arguments and examples
3. Ending your letter
4. The salutation

Which phrase is the most appropriate in a formal letter:

1. I'm sending my CV.
2. Here is my CV.
3. Take my CV in the attachment.
4. You will find my CV enclosed in the attachment.

Should you use paragraphs in a formal letter?

1. No
2. Yes

Can you start a formal letter with 'I'?

1. No
2. Yes

How do you end a formal letter to Mr Roberts?

1. Yours faithfully,
2. Kind regards,
3. Yours sincerely,
4. Love,

How do you end a formal letter to "Dear Sir/Madam,"

1. Yours faithfully,
2. Yours faithfully
3. You are faithful
4. Your faithfully,

Pitfalls

The next slides address some common mistakes? Do you

make them?

A Classic

It is _______ dangerous to get any closer.

1. to
2. too

They say they are better _______ you.

1. Than
2. Then

They worked hard on _______ exercises.

1. their
2. there
3. they're

The dog wagged _______ tail.

1. it's
2. its

it's

is actually IT IS

You are not allowed to write it's anyways on the test!

We _______ just looking for you.

1. where
2. we're
3. were

I don't want to _______ my wallet.

1. lose
2. loose

_______ option do you prefer?

1. which
2. with
3. witch
4. wich

Formal vs Informal

I appreciate your help!

1. Informal
2. Formal

How are your parents doing?

1. Informal
2. Formal

I appreciate your help.

1. Informal
2. Formal

Do you need any help?

1. Informal
2. Formal

It's a cold one today, innit?

1. Informal
2. Formal

Do you need any assistance?

1. Informal
2. Formal

How confident do you feel about the upcoming test? From a scale of 1 to 10 indicate how well you think you will do.

Now let's practice on paper...

Exercise 1: Look at the letter of application layout. The sentences of the letter are all mixed up. Put each sentence in the correct section. I will show you the correct structure answer on the next slide.

17 Amsterdamlaan

5678 CD Weesp

The Netherlands

Ms L. Turner

Human Resources Department

Bright Minds Tutoring

45 College Road

OX1 2YZ

Oxford

England

28th August 2025

Dear Ms Turner,

I am writing to you to apply for the position of part-time tutor at Bright Minds Tutoring, as advertised in the Oxford Times.

I believe I am the right candidate for this position because I am patient, reliable, and organized. My strong communication skills and positive attitude make me confident I can contribute to your team.

Supporting students in their studies is something I find rewarding, and I am motivated to develop my teaching skills further. I have already gained experience helping classmates with homework and assisting younger students at my school’s after-school program.

I look forward to hearing from you and would be delighted to discuss my application further.

Yours sincerely,

[Signature]

Sophie de Vries

Exercise 2

Find the mistakes in the two letters. Highlight them and correct the mistakes.