Letter Writing and Application
Letter Writing and Application sets one formal letter or application, sometimes with an informal letter as the alternative. Most of the marks sit in format and register, so these are the cheapest marks in the paper if you memorise the skeleton.
Format for a formal letter or application
- Sender's address, top left.
- Date, written in full.
- Receiver's designation and address (The Headmaster, …).
- Subject line - one line, no full stop.
- Salutation (Sir / Madam).
- Body: paragraph 1 purpose, paragraph 2 details and reasons, paragraph 3 request and closing courtesy.
- 'Yours faithfully' with signature and name below it for applications; 'Yours sincerely' when you name the person.
Register rules
Applications are impersonal and deferential: no jokes, no emotional appeals, no contractions. Use request forms such as 'I request that…' and 'I would be grateful if…'. An informal letter to a relative may use the familiar pronoun and a warmer opening, but still needs address, date and a proper closing.
Worked example
'Application for three days' leave on medical grounds.' Reasoning: the subject line names the request, not the story ('Prayer for leave of absence'). Paragraph 1 says who you are and what you want; paragraph 2 gives the exact dates and the medical reason, mentioning an enclosed certificate; paragraph 3 promises to make up missed work. One page, and no reason stated twice.
Traps that cost marks
- Missing date or subject line - direct format marks lost.
- Mismatching the closing: 'Dear Sir' pairs with 'Yours faithfully', not 'Yours sincerely'.
- Putting the reason only in the subject line and leaving the body vague.
- Signing above the typed name instead of below it.
- Slang or exclamation marks creeping into a formal letter.