Websink Prep UKKS2 EnglishYear 5 chaptersEnglish textbooksReceptionYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5Year 6Year 7Year 8Year 9Browse allPast papersFind a tutorBecome a tutor
Primary English · Year 5Chapter 12 · Writing non-fiction, cohesion and layout
Year 5 English · Writing non-fiction, cohesion and layout · Lesson 12.2

Year 5 English: Formal and informal letters and register

Part of the Year 5 English writing non-fiction, cohesion and layout chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

12.2

Formal and informal letters and register

Year 5
Write formal and informal letters, using an appropriate register (WC-Y5c)
Story. Hannah writes two letters. One is to a friend, with a joke and a casual sign-off. The other is to the head teacher, asking for the library to open at lunchtime. She knows that each reader needs a different tone.

Model formal letter (for a school)

Dear Mrs Patel,

I am writing to ask whether the school library could open at lunchtimes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Many pupils would like to read or research during this time.

Thank you for considering this request. I would be grateful for a reply.

Yours sincerely,

Hannah Clarke

Key ideas

  • A formal letter uses full words, no slang, and a polite tone. It starts Dear Mrs Patel and ends Yours sincerely.
  • An informal letter to a friend uses relaxed words and may use contractions. It starts Dear Sam or Hi Sam and ends with Love or From.
  • Use Yours sincerely when you know the name; Yours faithfully when you do not.
  • Register is the level of formality that suits the reader and the purpose.
Worked example 12.2.1
Which sign-off suits a formal letter to a head teacher whose name you know: Love or Yours sincerely?

Method. Think about the reader and the level of formality.

  1. Think about the reader. A head teacher is a formal reader.
    formal
  2. Choose. Yours sincerely is the formal sign-off.
    Yours sincerely
  3. Write the answer.
    Yours sincerely

Check. Yours sincerely. ✓

Worked example 12.2.2
Which word is more formal: get or obtain?

Method. Think about the register of each word.

  1. Compare. Get is informal; obtain is more formal.
    formal
  2. Choose. Obtain suits a formal letter.
    obtain
  3. Write the answer.
    obtain

Check. Obtain. ✓

Worked example 12.2.3
Rewrite the informal Can u let us in the library? as a formal request.

Method. Use full words and a polite tone.

  1. Write in full. You becomes you; u becomes you and no slang.
    full words
  2. Make it polite. Could we please makes the request polite.
    Could we please
  3. Write the answer.
    Could we please use the library at lunchtime?

Check. A polite, formal request. ✓

Exercise 12B  Practice: letters and register

1
FWhich greeting suits a formal letter to a teacher you do not know well: Hi Mrs Lane or Dear Mrs Lane?
2
FWhich sign-off is informal: Yours faithfully or Love from?
3
FWhich is more formal: I'm or I am?
4
FWhich phrase suits a formal letter: Thanks a lot or Thank you for your time?
5
PSWrite the sign-off for a formal letter to a person whose name you do not know.
6
PSRewrite Gonna be late, sorry! in a formal register.
7
PSWhich word is least formal: request, ask or beg?
8
PSWhich sentence has the right register for a formal letter to a head teacher: Can I have a day off? or I would be grateful if I could request a day's absence.?
9
PSWhich opening suits an informal letter to a friend: Dear Sir or Hi Sam?
10
RWrite a formal opening line for a letter asking for a library visit.
11
RExplain why an informal letter to a friend can use slang, but a formal letter should not.

Websink Prep UK is an independent site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, SQA, GL Assessment, CEM or the Department for Education. All exam board names and trademarks belong to their owners. Past papers are linked from the exam boards' own websites and are not hosted here.

About Websink Prep UK · Find a tutor · Privacy · Terms · Cookie settings