Complete Summary and Solutions for Letter-writing – NCERT Class XI English Hornbill, Chapter 5 – Writing Skill, Explanation, Questions, Answers

Introduction to Letter-Writing

Letter-writing is an important channel of communication between people who are geographically distant from one another. In earlier times when the telephone and e-mail were not available, the only means of communication between people was through letters.

Letter-writing is a skill that has to be developed. In general there are two types of letters: formal, that are written to convey official business and information and informal, which are personal letters to communicate with friends and family. Formal letters are sent out when we need to write to various public bodies or agencies for our requirements in civic life. For example, we might have to ask for a certificate or to inform a change in our address. A letter is usually one in a series of exchanges between two people or parties.

Key Points to Remember

Purpose: Clear and concise objective.
Audience: Tailor tone to formal/informal.
Structure: Introduction, body, conclusion.
Tone: Polite, professional for formal; warm for informal.

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Formal Letters

Formal letters are structured communications for official purposes. Key steps include:

Introducing oneself if first time; referring to prior letter if responding.
Stating the purpose.
Requesting action/information or providing it.
Urging action or offering future help.

Keep in mind: Purpose, addressee, tone, completeness, required action, conciseness.

Points to Ponder

Salutations: Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Mr./Ms. + Surname.
Closing: Yours sincerely/truly.
Avoid: Hackneyed phrases; use personalized variations.

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Informal Letters

Informal letters are personal and flexible. Format: City/Date, Salutation (Dear + Name), Body, Closing (Bye, With love), Signature.

Can be used to seek information from authorities in a semi-formal tone.

Differences from Formal

Flexible layout; no strict subject line.
Warm, conversational tone.
Endings: Yours affectionately, Take care.

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Job Applications & Resumes

Job applications respond to ads with a covering letter and resume (CV/Biodata). Include qualifications, experience, skills.

Resume Essentials

Name, Address, Contact, DOB.
Academic Qualifications (Table format).
Experience, Skills, Languages, Hobbies.
References.

Covering Letter

State position, qualifications, enthusiasm. Enclose resume; express interest in interview.

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Formats & Sample Letters

Formal Letter Format (Full-Block Style)

Sender's Address
Date

Receiver's Address

Subject: [Brief Title]

Dear Sir/Madam,

[Body Paragraphs]

[Complimentary Close]
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
[Name]

Sample Formal Letter

Ritu Patel
Manager, Customer Services
Vijayanagar Gas Company
121, Ameerpet
Hyderabad 500 016

12 November 2005

Mr Shagun Thomas
801, Vijay Apartments
Begumpet
Hyderabad 500 016

Sub: Your application No. F323 for a new gas connection

Dear Mr Thomas,

[Content]

With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Ritu Patel

Informal Letter Format

[City]
[Date]

Dear [Name],

[Body]

Bye,
[Signature]

Sample Informal (Seeking Info)

179 NCERT Campus
Sri Aurobindo Marg
New Delhi 110 016

9 September 2005

The Manager
Himachal Tourism
Mall Road
Shimla

Dear Sir,

We are planning to spend our vacation in Dharamsala... [Content]

Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
(Suryadhan Kumar)

Job Covering Letter Sample

[Your Address]
[Date]

The Manager
Human Resource Division
Wonderland Communications
South Street, Salem
Tamil Nadu

Dear Sir,

I would like to apply for the post of Customer Support Executive... [Content]

Regards,
Yours truly,
[Signature]

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Activities & Practice Exercises

1. You have not received your Roll Number card for the Class XII examination. Write a letter to the Registrar, Examination Branch, CBSE asking for it.

Model Answer:

[Your Address]
[Date]

The Registrar
Examination Branch
CBSE
[Address]

Subject: Request for Roll Number Card

Dear Sir,

I am a student of Class XII... [Details of issue]. Kindly issue the card at the earliest.

Yours faithfully,
[Name]

2. Write a letter to the President, Residents’ Welfare Association of your locality suggesting some measures that could be taken for solving the problem of water scarcity and conserving water.

Model Answer:

[Format as Informal/Semi-formal]
Suggest: Rainwater harvesting, fixing leaks, awareness campaigns.

3. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing your views on the deteriorating law and order situation in your city.

Model Answer:

Highlight issues: Rising crimes, police inaction. Suggest: Community policing, stricter laws.

4. Write a letter to your friend narrating your experiences in a rescue operation.

Model Answer:

Informal: Describe thrill, challenges, lessons learned.

5. Write a letter to the Editor of a magazine describing a dance performance you have seen or an art gallery you have visited.

Model Answer:

Formal: Vivid description, impressions, recommendations.

Practice Tip: Write full letters and compare with formats.

Interactive Quiz - Test Your Knowledge

10 MCQs on letter types, formats, and applications. Aim for 80%+.

Writing Tips & Suggested Reading

Conciseness: Avoid redundancy; be direct.
Politeness: Use "please," "thank you."
Proofread: Check grammar, spelling.
Modern Twist: Emails follow similar structures.

Suggested Reading: Sample letters from newspapers; practice with current events.

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Complete Summary and Solutions for Letter-writing – NCERT Class XI English Hornbill, Chapter 5 – Writing Skill, Explanation, Questions, Answers

Letter-Writing

Introduction to Letter-Writing

Key Points to Remember

Formal Letters

Points to Ponder

Informal Letters

Differences from Formal

Job Applications & Resumes

Resume Essentials

Covering Letter

Formats & Sample Letters

Formal Letter Format (Full-Block Style)

Sample Formal Letter

Informal Letter Format

Sample Informal (Seeking Info)

Job Covering Letter Sample

Activities & Practice Exercises

1. You have not received your Roll Number card for the Class XII examination. Write a letter to the Registrar, Examination Branch, CBSE asking for it.

2. Write a letter to the President, Residents’ Welfare Association of your locality suggesting some measures that could be taken for solving the problem of water scarcity and conserving water.

3. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper expressing your views on the deteriorating law and order situation in your city.

4. Write a letter to your friend narrating your experiences in a rescue operation.

5. Write a letter to the Editor of a magazine describing a dance performance you have seen or an art gallery you have visited.

Interactive Quiz - Test Your Knowledge

Writing Tips & Suggested Reading

Quizzes

Group Discussions