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Letter Writing for SSC CGL

Formal & Informal Letters - Complete Guide

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1. What is Letter Writing?

Letter Writing tests your ability to communicate clearly, politely, and formally (or informally) depending on the context.

SSC usually asks: formal letters to officials or informal letters to friends/relatives

Word limit: 150–200 words

Marks depend on: format, clarity, grammar, and relevance

Focus on: proper structure and appropriate tone

Key Points: Follow correct format, maintain appropriate tone, stick to word limit, and ensure grammatical accuracy

2. Types of Letters

A. Formal Letters

  • Addressed to officials, authorities, or organizations
  • Purpose: complaints, requests, applications, suggestions
  • Tone: polite, respectful, and concise

Structure:

  1. Sender's Address → top-right corner
  2. Date → below sender's address
  3. Receiver's Address → left side
  4. Salutation → Dear Sir/Madam,
  5. Subject → optional, one line
  6. Body → Introduction, main points, conclusion
  7. Closing → Yours faithfully, / Yours sincerely,
  8. Signature

B. Informal Letters

  • Addressed to friends, relatives, or known people
  • Purpose: sharing experiences, expressing feelings, giving advice
  • Tone: friendly, personal, natural

Structure:

  1. Address & Date → optional, top-left
  2. Salutation → Dear Ramesh,
  3. Body → informal paragraphs
  4. Closing → Yours lovingly, / With love,
  5. Signature

3. Tips for SSC Letter Writing

Formal Letters: Use polite, official language

Avoid slang, abbreviations, or personal opinions in formal letters

Focus on conciseness and clarity in formal communication

Informal Letters: Use friendly and natural language

Share personal experiences and feelings in informal letters

Always follow the format → marks allocated for correct structure

Keep paragraphs short → 3–4 sentences each

Proofread for grammar, punctuation, and spelling

4. Sample Letters

Sample Formal Letter

Scenario: Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner complaining about poor street lighting in your area.

123, Green Park,

Kanpur

4th October 2025

To

The Municipal Commissioner,

Kanpur Municipal Corporation,

Kanpur.

Subject: Complaint Regarding Poor Street Lighting

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to draw your attention to the poor street lighting in our area, Green Park. Several street lamps are non-functional, making it dangerous for residents to commute after sunset.

I request you to take immediate action to repair and maintain the street lights to ensure the safety of the residents.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope for a prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Satyam

Sample Informal Letter

Scenario: Write a letter to your friend describing your experience at a library.

4th October 2025

Kanpur

Dear Ramesh,

I hope you are doing well. I recently visited the Courage Library, and it was an amazing experience. The library is well-organized, has modern facilities, and provides a peaceful environment for studying.

I think you would really enjoy spending time there. I am planning to visit again this weekend. Do join me if you are free!

Take care and write back soon.

Yours truly,

Jan

5. SSC Exam Tips for Letter Writing

Identify the type → formal or informal

Stick to topic and purpose → avoid irrelevant details

Follow proper format → sender, date, receiver, salutation, body, closing

Keep language clear, polite, and concise

Time management: 5–7 minutes planning, 12–15 minutes writing

Practice previous SSC letter writing questions for patterns

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