There have been many changes in the format of writing a formal letter which many of us do not know and we are practicing the old format. There are many things which have changed. They are as follows.
Tabbing - Tabbing means the way we start. Earlier, we used to leave about half a centimetre from the margin and write. But today, this format is in no more use. Today, we shall write just next to the margin and no need to leave any space and hence it all comes beautifully in one line only.
Addressing - The person who is being addressed via the letter has to be paid with respect. However, today we have no use of adding 'To' before the addressing. We directly have to start with the post of the person.
No use of Dear or any other salutation - Like in the informal letters, previously, it was a tradition of giving a salutation to the addressee in the formal letters too. But today, it is all eliminated. We just have to start with words like Respected, or Sir. No more use of informal salutations such as dear.
Changing the paragraphs - Previously, while changing the paragraphs it was a tradition to start with the point where the last line ended. But today, we have eradicated this tradition, because as told by many experts, it used to look awkward. And today, we just leave one line and start writing just next to the margin while writing after a paragraph has been changed.
No leaving lines for bidding farewell - At last when we bid farewell to the addressee, we used to change a new paragraph and then write something like "Yours sincerely" or whatever. But with advancement to the new format we have eradicated this way to do so. We now just shift to the next line and write those farewell words and its done.
Here is the new format, the actual format -
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Your address
Your address
Your address (let it take 3 or 4 lines if necessary)
The Principal (e.g. if you are writing a letter to a principal)
His address
His address
Date
Formal salutation (Sir,)
Body.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
......................(Change new paragraph by leaving a line and starting just next to the margin)
Bid farewell.
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Sample Usage
Here is a sample letter for your reference to the new format.
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Borivali,
Lane number 3
Street 434,
Mumbai
The Principal,
St. Xavier's School,
Mumbai
October 15,2009
Sir,
Through this letter, I want to inform you that due to the marriage ceremony of my sister, I would not be able to come to school from October 20,20009 - October - 29, 2009.
Kindly grant me leave for 10 days, I would be most grateful to you.
Yours Sincerely,
Rohit Malhotra,
Class - X 'B'
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