THE Letter it is a textual genre of correspondence, which aims to establish direct communication between the interlocutors, to convey different types of messages. Due to their circulation context, the cards can be divided into:
- personal letter
- Commercial letter
- official letter
The personal letter embraces a more flexible structure and language. Business and official letters feature concise, impersonal texts and standard language. In general, the letters present the structure: place, date, vocative, body of text, farewell and signature.
Read too: Open letter - specific type of letter with an argumentative character
Types of Letters
There are several types of cards that serve to different socio-communicative purposes. Analyzing the degree of proximity between the interlocutors, the letter can be personal, business or commercial, and official or public. This division determines the type of language established between sender and receiver.
- personal letter: establishes communication between people close to or with an individual bond. This favors the use of colloquial language, application of popular expressions and Slang, in addition to subjective and/or intimate matters. The structure of the personal letter is also open, as the author can choose how they want to organize the shared information.
- Business or commercial letter: is the one that conveys in the professional environment and establishes communication between different professionals. This type of letter requires more formal and impersonal language. The message must be objective and concise, and all personal relationships must be avoided.
- official or public letter: is the document used in public institutions. This type also requires impersonal, formal, and accessible language. Often the official letter does not have a single recipient, and therefore requires a distance between the interlocutors.
The letter genre is further subdivided into these categories. Given the different contexts of circulation and the degree of proximity between the interlocutors, the letters can be classified based on their content and function:
- Complain letter: used to expose some dissatisfaction to a recipient who has a position of power to interfere in the matter.
- official letter: used to expose and document a message, formalizing what was said.
- Application letter: Used to communicate an authority's desire to apply for a position and/or function.
- Presentation letter: used to present a person, a career or a project, for example, to a recipient of interest.
- request letter: used to formalize a request to a recipient of greater hierarchical value, expressing the need and/or right to assistance.
- Love letter: used to express personal affections from the sender to the recipient.
- apology letter: used to express a request for forgiveness in relation to some uncomfortable fact between the interlocutors.
Characteristics and structure of the letter
As stated, the letter has different types, which consequently implies different structures and languages in its composition. Before analyzing or writing any letter, it is necessary to note the characteristics specific to the subtype being used. In this way, the text will be better suited to the demands of the communicative context.
Despite this multiplicity, it is possible to list some common characteristics to most letter types:
- Header: the initial part of the card may vary depending on the subtype used. However, the most common is to identify the city and the date the letter was written in the upper corner of the text. In cases of impersonal letters, the name of the recipient, the position held and the institution is also common. It is also possible that there is some visual element, such as a logo.
- text body: is where the message is actually transmitted. In the case of personal letters, the size and organization of this part may vary depending on individual variables. In official or business letters, the body of the text must present a clear and concise message, which entails many short letters.
- Outcome: is the final part of the text, which can be attached to the body of the text or highlighted below it. In this part, the author presents a conclusion of his message, expresses a cordial message and says goodbye.
- Signature: Letters are commonly signed at the bottom of the page. Signature is essential especially on business and official letters. Its location can be in one of the corners or centralized.
See too: Argumentative letter - genre that aims to present a point of view to a recipient
Step by step how to write a letter
To make a good card, it's need to consider all contextual elements. that involve communication. You must analyze the recipient, the level of proximity and the content that will be shared. In cases of impersonal letters, it is important to pay attention to the pronouns treatment with the interlocutor, data, information, evidence or arguments relevant to the topic, in addition to being careful with the verbal economy and clarity of meaning.
After the initial considerations, the author can be guided by the following steps:
- Start your letter by marking the place and date it was made.
- If necessary, identify the recipient's name, title and institution.
- Use a vocative (personal or formal) to mark the beginning of the dialogue.
- If it's a formal letter, present direct language, avoid irrelevant information and personal opinions. Express your message with clarity and focus.
- If it is a personal letter, organize the information in the way that is most meaningful and interesting to those involved.
- Add attachments where necessary to prove what was reported or requested.
- Say goodbye kindly at the end of the text.
- Sign your name.
Examples
Some examples of card types:
personal letter
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Rio de Janeiro, December 1, 2018 dear mother, How are you ms? I'm so homesick and can't wait for Christmas when we'll finally get together again and reminisce about old times. Being away from home has been a great challenge and only you can help me and give me the strength I need. Thanks for everything! Oh yes! Studies are going well! I'm finishing the exams, but so far I've done well and I don't think I will go to the exam. How are the godparents doing? Will they make it to Christmas? I hope so! Tell my brother it's good that my room is clean and fragrant when I get back, I don't care about his mess there! Haha! Anyway… I love you sooooooooooo! Miss you, miss you, miss you! Tender kisses from your daughter, Liz. |
As you can see in the example, the interlocutors have a personal and intimate bond: mother and daughter. Communication thus establishes itself marked by elements inherent to thefamily background specific. The author cites missing her mother, asks about godparents and even comments on her brother. In addition, the care with the language is not so strict, considering that the author uses informal expressions such as “soooo”, which marks the intensity by the exaggerated addition of the vowel “u”.
Formal letter
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São Paulo, March 23, 2019 Mrs Alice Sá Rua X, nº 0 Dear, We are pleased to inform you that we have decided to admit you to our company, in view of your high performance in the test. The conditions for performance are: CHARGES – the services of the such supervisor will be in charge. HOURS – from 8 am to 5 pm, with 1 hour for meals. ORDERED - Starting salary: R$ 1,120 (one thousand one hundred and twenty). We await your pronouncement, Regards João Silva CHIEF OF SECTOR X |
In this second example, it is clear that the organization and structure of the letter differs from the personal one. The language is concise and to the point, there are no markings of subjective or intimate elements in the content. The body of the text is short and the information shared is only essential for the communicative purpose. The signature is centralized and is accompanied by the author's professional title.
By Talliandre Matos
Writing Teacher