Categories
Letter Categories
Not all letters are created equal. Understanding the category of your correspondence is the first step to choosing the right tone.
The Concept
Primary Letter Types
| Type | Use Case | Tone/Style | Example Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal / Official | Business, school, authority | Polite, structured | Leave request, Complaint |
| Semi-Formal | Colleagues, acquaintances | Polite but flexible | Meeting requests, follow-ups |
| Informal / Personal | Friends, family | Casual, friendly | Thank you note, invitation |
| Career / Professional | Job applications, resignation | Polite, professional | Cover letter, resignation |
The Tone Spectrum
Formal
Rigid structure, third-person common, no slang.
Semi-Formal
Polite but approachable, common in modern offices.
Informal
Loose structure, first-person, emojis/slang okay.
Practice Drill
Match the sentence to its letter type:
"Kindly acknowledge the receipt of this document."
Formal
"I'd love to grab a coffee and chat about that project."
Semi-Formal
"Can't wait to see you at the party tonight!"
Informal