Formal letters
Write sophisticated formal letters: letters to editors, letters of complaint that get results, and cover letters that stand out.
In this lesson you will
- Write persuasive letters to editors
- Write results-focused complaints
- Write compelling cover letters
Learn
Letter to the editor: respond to a specific article, state your view early, support it with reasons, and end with a call to action: I am writing in response to your article “…” (12 May), which claimed that…
Complaint that gets results: facts, impact, reference to rights or promises, a specific remedy, a reasonable deadline: I trust you will resolve this within 14 days; otherwise I shall have no option but to refer the matter to…
Cover letter: link your experience directly to the role: In my current role, I led a team of five, reducing processing times by 20% — experience directly relevant to your requirement for… Show knowledge of the organisation.
Tone: formal, confident, courteous. Avoid clichés (I am a hard-working team player) — show, don’t tell.
Examples
- I am writing in response to your editorial of 3 March regarding the proposed closure of the library.
- I would therefore request a full refund within 14 days.
- I was particularly drawn to your commitment to sustainable design.
- I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application further.
Vocabulary
remedy
a way to fix a problem
courteous
polite
cliché
an overused phrase
in response to
replying to
refer the matter to
pass the issue to (an authority)
Practice
A strong cover-letter sentence:
Speaking
Role-play: phone a company to follow up on an unresolved complaint, staying firm and courteous, and state your remedy and deadline.
Writing
Choose one: (a) a letter to a newspaper editor (220–260 words) responding to an article proposing to ban cars from the city centre; or (b) a cover letter (220–260 words) for a job you would like.
- ☐ Clear purpose in the first paragraph
- ☐ Specific reasons/evidence
- ☐ Confident, courteous tone
- ☐ No clichés
- ☐ Clear closing request or call to action
Lesson quiz
“Courteous” means…
Review
Key points
- Editor: respond to a specific article, call to action.
- Complaint: facts, impact, remedy, deadline.
- Cover letter: evidence linked to the role.
- Formal, confident, no clichés.
What you learned
- ✓ I can write sophisticated formal letters.
- ✓ My complaints get results.
- ✓ My cover letters stand out.