Official letters

Official letters
A well-written official letter can make a strong impression—far stronger than even the most elegantly phrased email (and it’s much more professional than a fruit basket). Whether you’re applying for a job, thanking a potential employer for an interview, or politely resigning from your old job (now that your beautifully crafted letters have earned you an exciting new opportunity), knowing how to write an official letter is a skill well worth mastering.

Formal Letters vs. Informal Letters

There are some crucial differences between informal letters (such as thank-you notes) and formal letters (such as cover letters). Maybe you’re thinking, “But I already know how to write a good letter! My aunt Mabel loves my chatty thank-you notes.” Well, it’s good to know the difference between the two!


Informal letters

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  may be handwritten or typed,
  
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  use colloquial English, and
  
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  are loosely structured.
  

Formal letters, on the other hand,

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  are always typed,
  
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  strictly adhere to the rules of standard written English, and
  
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  have a formal structure.
  

When you are learning how to write a formal letter, the precise structure can look intimidating, but in fact, it’s easily broken down into five separate components. Once you get a handle on the basics, you’ll be well on your way to knowing how to write an official letter.
Basic Structure of an Official Letter
There are four elements in every official letter (and an optional fifth element that sadly does not come with Bruce Willis): the heading, the salutation, the body, and the signature—and, when relevant, enclosures. Here’s an official letter sample to get you started on how to write a formal letter (or any other kind).

Heading

If you’re wondering how to write a heading for an official letter, look no further! A heading for an official letter consists of two things: your address (plus the date) and your recipient’s address.