Formal letter format — English writing skills for kids

Writing tip

Sir → faithfully, a name → sincerely — “the greeting decides the closing”

1. Order: your address → the date → the receiver’s address → the subject → the greeting → the body → the closing → name and signature.
2. Greeting: “Dear Sir,” / “Dear Madam,” / “Dear Sir/Madam,” when you do not know the name; “Dear Mrs Rao,” when you do.
3. Closing: no name in the greeting → “Yours faithfully,”; a name in the greeting → “Yours sincerely,”.

Use it for: Leave applications, complaint letters and letters to the editor in Class 6–8 exams.

Worked example: A formal letter begins with “Dear Mrs Rao,”. Which closing is correct? → Yours sincerely,

✏️ Practice

Read every choice carefully, then tap the one that is written correctly. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

🏁 Lesson 18 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 📮 Formal Letter Pro badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 8 lessons of Part 3 · Letters, notices and messages. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Formal Letter Format Worksheet

• Worksheet set 1 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 2 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 3 (PDF)