Letter writing is a fundamental communication skill, used for various purposes, from personal messages to official correspondence. The tone and format vary significantly depending on the recipient and purpose, requiring careful consideration.

Formal letters are written for official or professional purposes and adhere to specific formats and a respectful, objective tone. They are used when communicating with individuals or organizations with whom you have a professional relationship or when addressing official matters.

● Letter to the Editor: Addressed to the editor of a newspaper or magazine to express opinions on public issues, respond to articles, or draw attention to community problems. It often aims to influence public opinion or policy.
○ Purpose: To voice concerns, offer solutions, or commend actions.
● Official Letters: Sent to government departments, institutions, or organizations for official communication, such as inquiries, complaints, requests, or formal notifications. They demand a clear and concise presentation of facts.
○ Purpose: To formally request information, lodge a complaint, or apply for official documents.
● Business Letters: Used for commercial purposes, including inquiries, placing orders, registering complaints about products/services, or general correspondence between businesses or between individuals and businesses. They are often legally binding documents.
○ Purpose: To conduct business transactions, maintain professional relationships, or resolve commercial disputes.
● Application Letters: Submitted when applying for a job, admission to a course, a scholarship, or any other formal application. These letters highlight your qualifications, skills, and interest in the opportunity.
○ Purpose: To present yourself as a suitable candidate for a position or program.

Informal letters are personal in nature and are written to friends, family members, or close acquaintances. They are characterized by a relaxed tone and do not adhere to strict formatting rules.
● Personal Letters: These are casual communications, often sharing news, thoughts, or feelings with someone you know well. They serve to maintain personal relationships and share life updates.
○ Purpose: To express affection, share experiences, invite to an event, or simply catch up.

● Formal Letters:
○ Format: Typically includes the sender's address (top right), date (below sender's address), receiver's address (left, below date), salutation (e.g., "Dear Sir/Madam," "Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]"), a subject line (briefly stating the letter's purpose), body paragraphs (clear and concise), complimentary close (e.g., "Sincerely," "Yours faithfully,"), and sender's signature and name (typed name below signature).
○ Tone: Objective, respectful, polite, and professional. Avoid emotional language, sarcasm, or any form of informality.
○ Language: Use formal vocabulary and grammatically correct sentences. Be direct, precise, and avoid slang, contractions, or colloquialisms. The language should reflect the seriousness and official nature of the communication.

● Informal Letters:
○ Format: More flexible. Usually includes the sender's address and date at the top right, a casual salutation (e.g., "Dear [First Name]," "Hi [Name],"), the body (relaxed and conversational), a friendly closing (e.g., "Love," "Best regards," "Warmly,"), and your first name.
○ Tone: Personal, friendly, and conversational. It should reflect your relationship with the recipient.
○ Language: Can include contractions, idioms, and more relaxed vocabulary. The language should feel natural and express your personality while still being understandable and respectful.