Formal letters differ in some key ways from e-mail and even from professional memos. The purpose of a formal letter is often serious: It may be a formal application for a job, a formal statement ...

In a formal letter, the aim is to sound businesslike and ... Your opening sentence, which needs to be on a new line, should then clearly state why you are writing the letter - get to the point ...

Skip a line and date your letter ... Even if you’re writing a formal letter of complaint, be sure to maintain a neutral and business-like tone and avoid using emotional language such as swear ...