All of us write a letter at least once in our life. Be it for a college admission, an enquiry to the company or seeking information from the government, drafting a formal letter is a necessity.
A formal letter is a genre of writing which has been part of written communication since antiquity. A formal letter has a clear structure and uses phrasing that is formal and polite.
Example 1
Question: Write a letter to the editor in 120-150 words about the evil of the dowry system in the Indian Society. You are Pradip/Pradipta of Hoogly district.
Hints: Dowry a groan of women- How it breaks lives- The evil of dowry system is harmful- Effect s of the dowry system how to wipe out this evil
3 Radhanagar
Hoogly
May 26, 2021
To
The Editor
The Telegraph
6 Prafulla Sarkar Street
Kolkata-70001
Subject: Evils of Dowry System
Sir
I would like to voice my views on the evils of the dowry system in our society. The basic evil is that parents insist on dowry when they are asked to give their daughter in marriage. A huge amount of dowry demands at the time of the marriage adds up to cruelty for the groom’s family. The groom’s family often keeps on increasing the dowry amount. It forces the bride’s family to borrow money and get into debt. If they fail to raise it, they are threatened with dire consequences when in fact all this is just a pretext to dupe them. The cases of bride-running are regularly reported in the newspaper. This is why a daughter is looked upon as an unwelcome child in the family.
You are, therefore, requested to publish an article on this issue to generate a strong public opinion against the dowry demand and to pass laws to punish the offenders.
Yours sincerely
Pradipta Sen
Example 2
Question: As a concerned citizen of the country, the practice of taking dowry has drawn your attention. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper about the evils of the dowry system.
Hints: The present situation- Affect the lives of the married couple- Pain behind the smile- Must be eradicated- How to outwit the dowry system
36 North Road
Kolkata- 7000109
January 05, 2021
To
The Editor
4 Chowringhee Square
Kolkata- 700001
Subject: The evils of the dowry system
Sir
I deem you will agree with the subject, I am going to deal with in the letter a burning issue that the country is still facing. Hence, I hope you would be kind enough to allow me a space in your esteemed daily newspaper to express my views to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to redress the problem.
The dowry system in India is the root of all evils as it leads to the exploitation of women. The immense pressure of this system, which is nothing but legalized stealing, puts tremendous strain on the relationship between husband and wife. The practice of dowry should be prohibited. In the context of dowry, people do not think beyond their own family members. They do not even think of the happy state of a married couple come what may. This has led to many quarrels and divorces, many unhappy homes. No so-called civilized society can tolerate this uncivilized practice for long.
It is high time for us to take a necessary step against this curse of our social life. The only way to root it out is to motivate public opinion against it and the government should take effective steps against those who are found to be involved in this malpractice.
Yours Sincerely
Purna Mukherjee
Example 3
Question: You are conscious of the evils of the dowry system and realise this malpractice needs to be eradicated from society. Write a letter to the editor about the evil of the dowry system.
Hints: Dowry has assumed an alarming proportion- A look at the history of the dowry system- Detrimental for families- Need to be banished
1/A Jodhpur Park
Kolkata-700019
May 12, 2021
The Editor
The Statesman
4 Chowringhee
Kolkata 700001
Subject: Banning of the dowry system
Sir
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I venture to voice my views about the dowry system, one of the vicious evils of our society.
The dowry system has assumed an alarming dimension nowadays and has dismantled several homes. Although dowry seems to be a practice of Vedic origin, it is widely prevalent in India. Although making or giving dowry is already illegal, still, a vast majority of brides’ families demand them at the time of marriage. Many families are not financially sound to meet the heavy financial burden of dowry. The dowry system has been criticized a lot. It is a barbaric custom because it permits parents or guardians to make a girl give away all she possesses to a stranger of their choice.
This evil practice has ruined the lives of thousands. It is high time that a law passed by the government stopping such injustice done to women should be implemented rigorously so not a single family has to go through this dark phase of society.
Yours Sincerely
Krittika Sengupta
Example 4
Question: Write a letter to the editor about the evil of the dowry system in about 120-150 words.
Hints: Dowry the root cause of suicides- Needs to be wiped out- Condition of the brides and girls of our society- Even involvement of educated families- Stern actions against the offenders
1/D Birati
Kolkata- 700012
December 15, 2021
The Editor
The Telegraph
6 Prafulla Sarkar Street
Kolkata- 700001
Subject: To eradicate the evil of the dowry system
Sir
Please allow me to focus through the columns of your esteemed daily on the evils of the dowry system and its impact on Indian society.
Dowry reduces the sacred sacrament of marriage to a business deal. The parents of the brides are put under inhumane pressure for a handsome dowry. In many cases, young brides are murdered or pushed to suicide by the husband and the in-laws so that the groom can marry again and endanger the life of another innocent girl! I believe that the dowry system should be banned as it is very detrimental to society. It is fading out in some parts of the country but is prevailing in other regions. It is a practice that has been deeply rooted in the minds of people for quite some time even among educated and literate men and women.
It is high time the government takes note of this and acts against this social atrocity. This system of forced bride price has been misused far too often and it is time we put a stop to this.
Yours Sincerely
Bikas Gupta
The dowry system is one of the many evil systems relevant in our society. I would like to know what system you feel need to be changed to create a better society. Leave your comment below.