Writing Skills: Writing Letters for Beginners – Step-by-Step Guide with Examples

Welcome to CodeLucky.com’s English Learning Series! In this guide, we’ll take you through the fundamentals of letter writing for beginners. Letter writing is one of the most essential writing skills, whether you’re sending a formal request, writing a job application, or simply connecting with friends through informal letters.

Table of Contents

Why Learn Letter Writing?

Letters are a timeless form of communication, bridging people, organizations, and ideas. Even in the era of emails and instant messages, understanding how to write a well-structured letter makes communication more effective and respectful.

Formal letters are used for professional or official purposes.
Informal letters are personal and conversational, written to friends or family.
Semi-formal letters sit between the two—like letters to teachers or known professionals.

Basic Structure of a Letter

Every well-written letter follows a structure. Let’s break it down visually:

This simple format works for almost every type of letter. Let’s understand it in detail.

1. Sender’s Address

The top right (or left in some styles) corner of your letter should have your address. Example:

45 Green Street,
New Delhi – 110018

2. Date

Write the date below the sender’s address. It helps the reader know when the letter was written.

10th December 2025

3. Receiver’s Address

The left-hand side below the date carries the receiver’s address.

The Manager,
ABC Corporation,
Chandigarh – 160017

4. Salutation

Use a suitable greeting:

Formal: Dear Sir / Dear Madam / Dear Mr. Sharma
Informal: Dear Rahul / Hi Anjali

5. Body of the Letter

This is the main part. Keep it clear, polite, and organized. A simple three-paragraph structure works best:

Example:

I am writing to apply for the position of Junior Designer as advertised on your website...

6. Closing

End your letter with an appropriate closing line:

Formal: Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely
Informal: Yours truly / With love

7. Signature

Finish with your signature or typed name.

Yours sincerely,
Ritika Sharma

Types of Letters

Let’s explore the main types of letters through a classification diagram:

Formal Letter Example

Situation: Applying for leave at school.

To,
The Principal,
Rosewood High School,
Delhi.

10th December 2025

Subject: Application for Leave

Dear Madam,

I am a student of Class IX-B and will be unable to attend school from 12th to 14th December due to a family function. Kindly grant me leave for the mentioned period.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours obediently,
Rohan Singh

Informal Letter Example

Situation: Writing to a friend describing your vacation.

45 Green Street,
New Delhi – 110018
10th December 2025

Dear Neha,

How have you been? Last week, I visited Shimla with my family. The weather was amazing, and we enjoyed snow for the first time! I can’t wait to tell you more when we meet.

With love,
Ritika

Interactive Practice: Letter Template Generator

Try filling in this simple template interactively (works great in a learning app or digital classroom):

[Your Address]
[City – PIN Code]
[Date]

Dear [Name],

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to [reason for writing].

[Main message body – details, questions, or updates.]

[Closing line]

Yours [sincerely/truly/lovingly],
[Your Name]

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to mention the date or subject in formal letters.
Using slang or short forms in official communication.
Not leaving enough paragraph spacing.
Using inconsistent tone — keep it polite and relevant.

Letter Writing Tips for Beginners

Quick Tip: Read your letter aloud before finalizing it. If it sounds confusing or abrupt, simplify your sentences.

Simple Comparison: Formal vs Informal Letter

Aspect	Formal Letter	Informal Letter
Purpose	Official or business communication	Personal conversation
Language	Polite, direct, professional	Friendly, casual, expressive
Salutation	Dear Sir/Madam	Dear Riya/Hi Ankit
Closing	Yours faithfully/sincerely	Yours truly/With love

Final Word

Letter writing may feel old-fashioned, but it trains your mind to express thoughts logically, courteously, and neatly. With practice, you’ll be able to write both formal and informal letters confidently. Whether you’re sending a job application or greeting a friend, clarity and tone matter most.

Keep practicing with different scenarios — the more you write, the better you communicate!

Next in this series: “Email Writing for Beginners – Mastering Modern Communication.”