Letter Writing
Letter writing is another form of composition and is meant for communication between the writer and the reader. In a letter we generally express our emotional, Social and obligatory feeling to the other persons, who is away from ours. However, these days letter writing has not been in much practice, because of other quicker means of communication like - telephone, e-mail, telegrams etc. But in spite of all such communications writing letters has its own charm and reflects a more personalized touch of the writer for the reader.
Letters are divided into two parts. They are the following
Informal letters
Formal letters
Informal letters are written to friends, relatives and parents. 
The Format of Informal Letter
Self Addrsess
Write self-address at the left side. All that is needed is your street address on the first line and the city, state and pin on the second line.
Date
Put the date on which the letter was written in the format Month Day Year i.e. August 15, 2013. Skip a line between the date and the salutation.
Salutation
Usually starts out with 'Dear' so and so.
NOTE:
There is a comma after the end of the salutation (you can use an exclamation point also if there is a need for some emphasis).
Body
The body is where you write the content of the letter; the paragraphs should be single spaced with a skipped line between each paragraph. Skip 2 lines between the end of the body and the closing.
Note
The body of a letter should be divided into three paragraphs. First paragraph should be introduction. Second paragraph must have the main content. And third paragraph for closing lines.
Closing
Let's the reader know that you are finished with your letter; usually ends with Sincerely, Lovingly, and so on.
1. Read the following letter written by Dick to his friend Katherine inviting her on his birthday.
B-2 16th Oct, 2012
Times Street, New York
Dear Katherine
I hope this letter will find you in the best of your health and high spirits. As you know that my birthday falls on 20th October. My father is giving a grand party at my residence on this occasion. I have invited all my friends in this party. So through this letter I am inviting you to attend my birthday party with your family members. It would be a good opportunity to meet and celebrate with all the friends altogether. The party will begin at 8 p.m. You try to come a bit early. I am sure that you will not disappoint me. Please convey my regards to your parents.
Yours lovingly
Dick 
Formal Letter
Self Address
Write self-address at the left side. All that is needed is your street address on the first line and the city, state and zip on the second line.
Date
Put the date on which the letter was written in the format Month Day Year i.e. August 15, 2013. Skip a line between the date and the salutation. Receiver's designation and address:
Subject: Subject should be precise and concise
Salutation
Usually starts out with Dear Sir or Respected Sir.
Note: There is a comma after the end of the salutation (you can use an exclamation point also if there is a need for some emphasis).
Body
The body is where you write the content of the letter; the paragraphs should be single spaced with a skipped line between each paragraph. Skip 2 lines between the end of the body and the closing.
Note: The body of a letter should be divided into three paragraphs. First paragraph should be introduction. Second paragraph must have the main content. And third paragraph for closing lines.
Closing
Let's the reader know that you are finished with your letter; usually ends with Yours Truly/ Faithfully, and so on.
2. See the following letter written by Steve to the Editor of a newspaper expressing his views about global terrorism.
C-7.2 October 15, 2012
Park Avenue
New Delhi
The Editor
The New Delhi Times
New Delhi
Subject: Expressing views on terrorism
Dear Sir,
Through the column of your esteemed newspaper I would like to express my views on the issue of global terrorism. In the twenty first century human beings are surrounded with many dangers. Terrorism is one of them. It has become like a giant monster which has been threatening the very existence of human being as there are apprehensions that terrorists might. Obtain biological and nuclear weapons. They are trying desperately to obtain these weapons. As they do not have any responsibility so they might not hesitate a bit to use it against any country of the world.
So, now the time has come that the world leaders should work collectively to eradicate this evil, otherwise the days are not very far that the terrorists will ransack this world.
Yours Faithfully
Anmol Tyagi 
Practice Exercise
Rearrange the jumble letters and make meaningful words.
1. NMAAIL = ANIMAL
2. E T I K = KITE
3. LASPEE = PLEASE
4. GHITT = TIGHT
Rearrange the letters and make a meaningful word.
CADCITEN
(A) Acident
(B) Accidant
(C) Accident
(D) Accidannt
(E) None of these
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Only option (C) is correct.
AUWDPR
(A) Upwerd
(B) Upward
(C) Uppward
(D) Upwrad (E) Wupard
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
The correct answer is (B) upward. 
Introduction
In jumbled words alphabets are placed haphazardly. You are supposed to rearrange those alphabets to make a meaningful word.
For example, ONITUQES. This particular group of alphabets has got no meaning. Now, if we rearrange these alphabets, ONITUQES turns to QUESTION which is a Meaningful word.
Jumbled words
Read these letters and arrange them into proper words
1. ERTSIWT = TWISTER
2. IRUCSUO = CURIOUS
3. ANLRUOJ = JOURNAL
4. GGERIRASUO = GREGARIOUS
5. EEEZUQS = SQUEEZE
6. LAMRETHOEG = GEOTHERMAL
7. NETNOPMCO = COMPONENT
8. ONITUQES = QUESTION
9. DRAUOUS = ARDUOUS
10. ENTGILLETNI = INTELLIGEIMT
11. AEESRCNI = INCREASE
12. CCRRENYU = CURRENCY
13. MMUITPQ = OPTIMUM
14. DALICSU = SUCIDAL
15. ABSASDROMA = AMBASSADOR
16. KOCRF = FROCK
17. TOURC = COURT
18. C R E 0 F = force
19. W A D F R = DWARF
20. L 0 E 0 W N = WOOLLEN
21. GTNHI = NIGHT
22. AHWODS more... 
Practice Exercise
Change the following sentences into simple future tense:
We like walking.
Answer: We will like walking.
He paints a picture.
Answer: He will paint a picture.
Change the following sentences into simple past tense:
I write a letter.
Answer: I wrote a letter.
They watch movies.
Answer: They watched movies.
Change the following sentences into past continuous tense.
I am writing a letter.
(A) I was writing a letter
(B) I have been writing a letter
(C) I shall writing a letter
(D) I shall be writing a letter
(E) I have written a letter
Answer: (A)
Explanation:
I was writing a letter.
He is painting a picture.
(A) He has painted a picture
(B) He was painting a picture
(C) He has been painting a picture
(D) He will paint a picture
(E) He paints a picture
Answer: (B)
Explanation:
He was painting a picture. 
Kinds of Tense
The Tense is divided into three categories. In other words, there are three kinds of tense:
Present Tense
Any action or event that takes place at present is called the present tense. There are four kinds of present tense.
Look at the following sentences:
Present Indefinite or Simple Present
This tense is used to express the habitual actions, truths, planned activities, quotations and to put questions. Tense shows an action done in general way in the Present time.
Look at the following sentences:
Uses of simple present tense
Present Continuous Tense
The Present Continuous Tense is used to express an action or event taking place.
Tense shows an action going on (or continuing) at the time of speaking.
Look at the following sentences:
Uses of present continuous tense
Introduction
Definition:
In grammar, to show the time of an event or action we use 'tense'. Tense is the form of verb which shows the time of an action or state of being.
Look at the following sentences:
Practice Exercise
Change the following direct speech into indirect speech.
Varun says, "It is four o'clock."
Answer:
Steve says that it is four o'clock.
Selena will say, "There is a temple in the village"
Answer:
Selena will say that there is a temple in the village.
Simran said, "The village is very far".
Answer:
Simran said that the village was very far.
Raj said, "The dog barked at the man."
Answer:
Raj said that the dog had barked at the man.
Change the following direct into indirect speech.
Steve said, "The horse was running on the road."
(A) Steve said that the horse had been running on the road
(B) Steve said that the horse had been run on the road
(C) Steve said that the horse had been ran on the road
(D) Steve said that the horse had been runs on the road
(E) Steve said that the horse had being running on the road
Answer: (A)
Explanation:
Steve said that the horse had been running on the road.
The teacher said, "The students had passed in the examination."
(A) The teacher said that the students had pass in the examination
(B) The teacher said that the students had passed in the examination
(C) The teacher said that the students had passing in the examination
(D) The teacher said that the students had passes in the examination
(E) The teacher said that the students have passed in the examination
Answer: (B)
Explanation:
The teacher said that the students had passed in the examination. 
Indirect Speech
When the substance or meaning of a person's speech is presented, it is called Indirect Speech.
For Example: Monu said that Mamta lived in London.
In sentence given above, the actual or exact words of the speaker is not presented. The substance or meaning of the speech has been presented. This speech is called Indirect Speech.
NOTE:
General Rules for Changing Direct Speech to Indirect Speech
There are three general rules for changing Direct Speech into Indirect Speech.
1. Change of Tense
2. Change of Person
3. Change of other parts of speech.
Change of Tense
(i) When the Reporting Verb is in Present or Future, the Tense of the Verb in the Reported Speech does not change.
Direct : Sneha says, "It is four o'clock."
Indirect : Sneha says that it is four o'clock.
Direct : Monica will say, "There is a Church in the village."
Indirect : Monica will say that there is a Church in the village.
(ii) When the reporting Verb is in the Past, the Tense of the Verb in the Reported Speech changes into the corresponding Past Tense as per the following table:
| Direct Speech Indirect Speech Simple Present Simple Past Present Continuous Past Continuous Present Perfect Past Perfect Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous Simple Past Past Perfect Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous Past Perfect No Change - remains same Past Perfect Continuous No Change - remains same Shall/Will Should/Would Can/May Could/Might Is / Am / Are Was / Were Have / Has Had Was/Were Had been |
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