📬 Writing: The Formal Letter
1ère Bac Sciences et Technologies Mécaniques STM
📌 Introduction
A formal letter is used for official communication — to teachers, principals, companies, or institutions. It must be polite, clear, and well-structured.
Example: Asking your principal for permission to organize a science fair.
📚 Structure of a Formal Letter
- Your Address (top left)
- Date (below address)
- Recipient’s Address
- Salutation: “Dear Mr. Smith,” or “Dear Sir/Madam,”
- Subject: Clear and short
- Body: 3–4 paragraphs (Introduction, Details, Conclusion)
- Closing: “Yours faithfully,” (if unknown) or “Yours sincerely,” (if known)
- Your Name & Signature
Tip: Never use contractions (don’t → do not) or informal words (cool, awesome).
📝 Example: Requesting Lab Equipment
15 Rue des Sciences
April 5, 2025
Principal Ahmed El Fassi
High School Ibn Sina
Tangier, Morocco
Dear Sir,
Subject: Request for Additional Lab Equipment
I am writing to kindly request additional laboratory equipment for our Chemistry class. Many students are unable to perform experiments due to a lack of microscopes and test tubes.
This situation affects our practical learning and exam preparation. We would be grateful if the school could purchase new materials to improve our science education.
Thank you for considering this request. I hope for a positive response.
Yours faithfully,
Youssef Amrani
Student, 1ère Bac Sciences
✅ Exercise 1: Match the Part
1. “Dear Mr. Benali,” →
2. “Yours sincerely,” →
3. “Request for Study Materials” →
4. “I am writing to complain about…” →
5. “10 Avenue Hassan II” →
✅ Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Salutation
1. Writing to a principal you don’t know →
2. Writing to your teacher, Mr. Karim →
3. Writing to a company HR department →
4. Writing to Dr. Fatima →
5. Writing to an unknown university officer →
✅ Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Closing
1. To a principal you don’t know →
2. To your teacher, Mrs. Nour →
3. To a company (unknown name) →
4. To Dr. Ali →
5. To an organization (no name) →
✅ Exercise 4: Correct the Informal Word
1. “I wanna ask for help.” →
2. “This is really cool!” →
3. “Can I get some books?” →
4. “Thanks a lot!” →
5. “I gotta go now.” →
✅ Exercise 5: Write the Subject Line
1. Asking for permission to organize a science club →
2. Complaining about missing textbooks →
3. Requesting a recommendation letter →
4. Asking about an internship opportunity →
5. Reporting a problem in the lab →
✅ Exercise 6: Order the Parts
Put in correct order:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
✅ Exercise 7: Complete the Letter (Fill in Blanks)
1. ___ Mr. Ahmed, →
2. Subject: ___ a Study Permit →
3. I am writing to ___ your assistance. →
4. Thank you for ___ this matter. →
5. Yours ___ , →
✅ Exercise 8: Science Context
1. Asking for permission to use the lab after school →
2. Reporting broken equipment →
3. Requesting science books →
4. Asking about a science competition →
5. Complaining about no lab time →
✅ Exercise 9: Choose the Formal Phrase
1. “I want” →
2. “Can I have” →
3. “Thanks” →
4. “I’m writing because” →
5. “Hope you help” →
✅ Exercise 10: Write a Full Letter
Write a formal letter to your principal requesting more time for science labs.
