Letter-writing resources

UK Postage Rates

 

Royal Mail 1st class stamp = 0.70p, 2nd class stamp = 0.61p

Max weight 100g

Max length 24cm

Max width 16.5cm

Max thickness 0.5cm

 

Commonly used UK Paper Sizes

 

A7 74 x 105 mm

A6 105 x 148 mm

A5 148 x 210 mm

A4 210 x 297 mm

A3 297 x 420mm

 

Commonly used UK Envelope sizes

 

DL 220 mm (width) x 110 mm (height)

 

C6 114 mm (width) x 162 mm (height)

 

C5 162 mm (width) x 229 mm (height)

 

C4 229 mm (width) x 324 mm (height)

 

The Eight Parts of a Traditional Letter Format

 

1. The address of the writer

 

Traditionally placed at the top right-hand side of the page. If the letter is going to a stranger, the address  should be full enough to ensure correct delivery of a reply.

 

2. The date

 

Usually placed at the end of the address.

 

3. The name, title and address of the recipient.

 

Essential in a business or formal letter, less so in an intimate or private letter. The original intention was to assure that the reader of the letter was the person for whom it was intended.

 

4. The salutation

 

This varies from the polite 'Sir', 'Madam' of the very formal correspondence to the endearing salutations of the love letter.

 

The commonest salutation is 'Dear...' and the salutation ends with a comma.

 

5. The body of the letter

 

This is begun on the line below the salutation. A neat layout will aid reading and give a tidy appearance. There should be an even left-hand margin, formed by the initial letters of each sentence.

 

6. The subscription

 

This should be in harmony with the salutation. Some of the more formal subscriptions are:

Yours respectfully

Yours faithfully

Yours truly

Yours sincerely

 

A capital 'Y' is required.

There is no apostrophe.

 

7. Signature

 

A formal letter requires your full signature which may or may not include your first name.

 

8. The envelope

 

The traditional way to write the address is to indent each subsequent line of the address. Letters which are strictly private or confidential should be so indicated in the top left-hand corner of the envelope.