Formal Letters Format, Examples: ICSE (IX-X) English Language
Letter writing remains one of the most practical and essential communication skills, bridging formal professional contexts and personal relationships. In the ICSE Class 9 and 10 English Language examination, Question 2 tests your ability to write clear, effective letters worth 10 marks. You'll be given a choice between writing either a formal letter (addressing official matters like complaints, applications, or social issues) or an informal letter (communicating with friends, family, or acquaintances).
Understanding the distinct purposes, formats, and tones of each type is crucial for scoring well. In this guide, we'll discuss the format and various nuances related to formal letters with a number of sample formal letters of different kinds.
Format of Formal Letter
Sender's Address
(Your address - 3 lines maximum)
House number, Street/Area
City, PIN code
Date
(Full format: 15th February, 2026)
Receiver's Address
(Recipient's name/designation and address)
Name/Designation
Organization/School name
City, PIN code
Salutation
Dear Sir/Dear Madam/Dear Principal (choose ONE)
Body of Letter:
Paragraph 1: Introduction - State purpose clearly
Paragraph 2: Details/Explanation - Elaborate the issue
Paragraph 3: Conclusion - Request action/closing remarks
Complimentary Close
Yours faithfully, (institutional/official)
OR
Yours sincerely, (if communication is personal)
Signature
Your Full Name
(Your designation/class if relevant)
Marking Scheme
Out of 10 marks allocated for the letter, for formal letter the marks distribution is –
- Format: 3 marks,
- Body: 2 marks
- Expressions: 5 marks.
Format: 3 marks (½ mark each for):
- Sender's Address (3 lines, punctuated)
- Date
- Receiver's Address (3 lines)
- Salutation (Dear Sir/Madam,)
- Subscription (Yours faithfully,)
- Name
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Based on official CISCE Pupil Performance Analysis reports, students commonly lose marks due to:
❌Format Errors:
- Writing "Respected Sir/Madam" instead of "Dear Sir/Madam"
- Writing both "Dear Sir/Dear Madam" with slash - choose ONE only
- Missing sender's address or placing it incorrectly
- incomplete receiver’s address with only designation and city
- Incorrect date format (write fully: "15th February, 2026" not "15/2/26")
- Wrong complimentary close (Yours faithfully vs Yours sincerely)
- Writing "Yours" with apostrophe + s (Your's - wrong)
- Writing Yours in cursive 'y' like "yours faithfully,"
❌Content Errors:
- Running sentences into 3-4 lines without breaks
- Not dividing letter into proper paragraphs
- Copying language directly from the question
- Not providing appropriate tone (too informal in formal letters, too formal in informal)
- Missing clear purpose statement in opening paragraph
- No proper conclusion
Formal Letter Type 1: Letter to the Principal
Format Rules:
- Salutation: Dear Sir/Dear Madam (based on principal's gender)
- Complimentary Close: Yours faithfully, (most common) OR Yours obediently,
- Tone: Respectful, polite, formal
Sample: Application for Leave
23, Green Park Colony,
Sector 5, Rohini,
New Delhi, 110085.
14th February, 2026
The Principal,
Delhi Public School,
Rohini, New Delhi, 110085.
Dear Sir,
I am Rahul Sharma, a student of Class 10-B, Roll Number 15. I am writing to request a leave of absence for five days, from 17th February to 21st February, 2026, due to medical reasons.
I have been diagnosed with viral fever and the doctor has advised complete bed rest for five days. I have attached the medical certificate issued by Dr. Mehta of City Hospital for your reference. During my absence, I will ensure that I complete all missed assignments and catch up on the lessons covered.
I would be grateful if you could grant me leave for the mentioned period. I assure you that I will resume classes immediately after recovery and make up for the lost academic time.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Rahul Sharma
Class 10-B, Roll No. 15
Formal Letter Type 2: Letter to the Editor
Format Rules:
- Salutation: Dear Sir/Dear Madam
- Complimentary Close: Yours faithfully,
- Tone: Persuasive, concerned, formal
- Purpose: Highlight social issues, suggest solutions, create awareness
Sample: Concern About Traffic Congestion
34, Laxmi Nagar,
East Delhi,
New Delhi, 110092.
14th February, 2026
The Editor,
The Times of India,
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,
New Delhi, 110002.
Dear Sir,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw public attention to the alarming traffic congestion in the Laxmi Nagar area, which has become a daily nightmare for residents and commuters.
The main road connecting Laxmi Nagar to the metro station experiences severe traffic jams, especially during morning and evening rush hours. Commuters often spend over an hour traveling a mere three-kilometer distance. The situation worsens due to illegal parking, encroachment by street vendors, and lack of traffic police presence. Students miss classes, office workers reach late, and emergency vehicles struggle to navigate through the chaos.
I urge the authorities to implement strict parking regulations, relocate street vendors to designated areas, deploy traffic police during peak hours, and consider constructing a flyover or widening the road. These measures would significantly ease the traffic burden and improve daily life for thousands of residents.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Anil Kumar
(Concerned Citizen)
Formal Letter Type 3: Letter to Authorities (municipal bodies, police, BDO etc.)
Format Rules:
- Salutation: Dear Sir/Dear Madam
- Complimentary Close: Yours faithfully,
- Tone: firm, civic-minded, solution-oriented
- Purpose: inform/complain about personal/public issues, suggest/request for solutions
Sample: Unhygienic condition of the public park
27, Lake View Road,
Salt Lake,
Kolkata – 700091.
16th February, 2026
The Chairman,
Kolkata Municipal Corporation,
Kolkata – 700001.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to draw your attention to the unhygienic condition of the public park in our locality, Lake View Park, which has become a serious health concern for residents, especially children and the elderly.
For the past several months, the park has not been cleaned regularly. Garbage bins overflow with plastic cups, food wrappers and fallen leaves. Stray dogs tear open the waste bags, scattering litter across the walking track. The grass is overgrown and broken glass bottles are often found near the benches. After the recent rains, stagnant water has collected in several places, making the park a breeding ground for mosquitoes. As a result, many residents avoid using the park, and there has been a noticeable increase in cases of fever and skin infections.
I earnestly request you to instruct the concerned department to deploy cleaning staff on a daily basis, install additional covered dustbins and ensure proper disposal of waste. Regular cutting of grass and spraying of anti‑larval chemicals would also help maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of diseases. This park is the only recreational space in our area, and its proper maintenance is essential for the physical and mental well‑being of residents.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Arindam Sen
(Resident, Lake View Road)
Formal Letter Type 4: Letter of Complaint (To Companies/Organizations)
Format Rules:
- Salutation: Dear Sir/Dear Madam
- Complimentary Close: Yours faithfully,
- Tone: Firm but polite, professional
- Structure: Problem → Details → Solution/Action requested
Sample: Defective Product Complaint
56, Park Street,
Kolkata, 700016.
14th February, 2026
The Customer Service Manager,
Samsung Electronics India Ltd.,
DLF Cyber City,
Gurgaon, 122002.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to lodge a complaint about a defective Samsung Galaxy smartphone (Model M31, IMEI: 123456789012345) purchased from your authorized dealer on 1st February, 2026, bearing invoice number SAM/2026/4567.
Within just ten days of purchase, the phone developed multiple issues. The battery drains completely within three hours despite minimal usage, the touchscreen becomes unresponsive frequently requiring multiple restarts, and the camera produces blurred images. These defects make the phone practically unusable, causing significant inconvenience as I rely on it for online classes and communication.
Since the product is under warranty, I request immediate replacement with a new, fully functional unit. I have enclosed photocopies of the purchase invoice and warranty card for your reference. I expect this matter to be resolved within seven working days, failing which I shall be compelled to approach consumer court.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Amit Sengupta
Formal Letter Type 5: Job Application (Basic)
Format Rules:
- Salutation: Dear Sir/Dear Madam
- Complimentary Close: Yours faithfully,
- Tone: Professional, confident but humble
- Include: Your qualifications, relevant experience/skills, why you're suitable
Sample: Application for Summer Internship
91, Civil Lines,
Allahabad, 211001.
14th February, 2026
The Human Resources Manager,
Tech Solutions Pvt. Ltd.,
Park Road, Allahabad, 211003.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to apply for the summer internship programme advertised in The Hindu dated 10th February, 2026. I am currently a Class 10 student at St. Joseph's School, Allahabad, with a keen interest in computer programming and software development.
I have consistently scored above 90% in Computer Science and have completed online certification courses in Python programming and web development. I possess strong analytical skills and have participated in several inter-school coding competitions, securing first position twice. I am eager to gain practical industry experience and contribute to your organization during the summer vacation from May to June 2026.
I have attached my academic records and certificates for your consideration. I am available for an interview at your convenience and would be grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow with your esteemed company.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Aditya Malhotra
Portions of this article were developed with the assistance of AI tools and have been carefully reviewed, verified and edited by Jayanta Kumar Maity, M.A. in English, Editor & Co-Founder of Englicist.
We are committed to accuracy and clarity. If you notice any errors or have suggestions for improvement, please let us know.