Formal Letters
Learn Formal Letters with notes, examples, and practice questions.
Chapter Overview
Formal letters use polite, respectful language for officials, editors, or school authorities. Class 5 tasks include letters to the principal, municipality, or newspaper editor on issues like cleanliness, traffic, or tree plantation.
Format
- Sender's address and date (top right)
- Designation and address of receiver (left)
- Subject line in bold or underlined
- Salutation: Respected Sir/Madam
- Body, closing: Yours faithfully/sincerely
Tone and Content
- No contractions: write do not, not don't
- State problem clearly with facts
- Suggest solution politely
- Thank the reader for attention
Solved Examples
Step-by-step solutions — read each step before checking the final answer.
Subject line
Subject for letter about broken streetlights.
- 1Brief, specific
- 2Mention issue
Answer
Subject: Request to repair broken streetlights in our lane
Opening
Polite opening after Respected Sir,
- 1Introduce yourself briefly
- 2State purpose
Answer
I am a student of Class 5 at City Public School. I wish to bring to your notice a problem in our locality.
Key Points to Remember
- ✓ Formal register — no slang
- ✓ Subject line is mandatory
- ✓ Yours faithfully if name unknown
- ✓ Yours sincerely if name known
Exam Tips
- • Box format for presentation marks
- • Three paragraphs: intro, problem+suggestion, thanks
- • 150 words sufficient
- • Sign full name and class
Practice MCQs — Formal Letters
Test your understanding with topic-wise multiple choice questions. Explanations appear after each answer.
Formal letters use: