Letter writing for Class 10 is a short writing task in which you present a request, complaint, enquiry or order in a fixed, polite layout. In a board-style English paper, a letter 10th class question usually asks for a formal letter of roughly 100 to 120 words, and marks go to format, content, fluency and accuracy. This guide shows the layout, the types, the language to use and worked samples.
Quick Answer: What Is a Letter in Class 10 English?
A letter in Class 10 is a piece of written communication addressed to a specific person or organisation, written in the correct format for its purpose. The two broad kinds are formal letters (to officials, editors, shopkeepers and companies) and informal letters (to friends and family). Most board-style questions focus on formal letters, so that is where this guide spends most of its time.
The word limit and mark scheme change between boards and years, so always check your latest sample paper and syllabus. The format below is the standard layout taught in schools, and it works for almost every question.
Letter 10th Class: Formal and Informal Letters Compared
Before you write, decide which kind of letter the question wants. The signals are in the situation: who is the reader, and how well do you know them?
| Feature | Formal letter | Informal letter |
|---|---|---|
| Reader | Official, editor, principal, company | Friend, cousin, sibling, relative |
| Tone | Polite, direct, respectful | Warm, personal, conversational |
| Sender’s address | Top right | Top right |
| Receiver’s address | Yes, on the left | No |
| Subject line | Yes | No |
| Salutation | Sir/Madam, Dear Sir/Madam | Dear Rohan, Dear Aunt |
| Closing | Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely | Yours lovingly / Your friend |
| Language | No slang, no contractions | Simple, friendly, some idioms |
If your exam asks for a personal letter, read our guide to the informal letter format for samples and a layout you can copy.
The Formal Letter Format Step by Step
A formal letter has seven parts, and examiners check each one. Learn the order once and it becomes automatic.
- Sender’s address: your full address at the top right-hand corner.
- Date: written on the line below the address, for example 12 March 2026.
- Receiver’s details: the name or designation and address of the person you are writing to, on the left.
- Subject line: a single line that states the purpose, such as “Complaint regarding delay in delivery of books”.
- Salutation: Sir, Madam, or Dear Sir/Madam when you do not know the name.
- Body: two or three short paragraphs covering the purpose, the details and the action you expect.
- Subscription and signature: “Yours faithfully” (when you used Sir/Madam) followed by your name.
Many students lose marks by writing the subject line as a full sentence with a full stop. Keep it short, in a phrase, and underline it if you are writing by hand.
Sender’s address and date
In board exams the question often says to use a given address or to use “XYZ” style details. When the question gives an address, copy it exactly. When it does not, use a neutral address such as 14, Green Park, New Delhi, and do not use your real name or school if the question warns against it.
Salutation and closing pairs
Match the salutation and the closing. “Sir” or “Madam” pairs with “Yours faithfully”. If you know the person’s name, such as “Dear Mr Sharma”, use “Yours sincerely”. Mixing the two is a common small error that is easy to avoid.
Body paragraphs
The body should be organised, not rambling. A reliable structure is:
- Paragraph 1: why you are writing, in one or two sentences.
- Paragraph 2: the key details, such as dates, order numbers, quantities or the problem.
- Paragraph 3: what you want done and a polite closing line.
Types of Letters You May Be Asked in Class 10
Syllabus details differ, so treat this list as a guide to the kinds of tasks that appear most often in school and board-style papers. Practise each type at least twice.
Letter of complaint
A letter of complaint is written when you received poor service, a damaged product or a delayed delivery. It must be firm but polite. State what went wrong, when, and what you want in return, such as a replacement or refund.
Letter of enquiry
An enquiry letter asks for information about a course, a product, fees, availability or a service. Ask clear questions and mention the details you need, such as price, duration or discounts.
Letter placing an order
An order letter lists the items you want, the quantity, the price you were quoted and the delivery date and address. Mention the payment method and ask for a confirmation.
Letter to the editor
A letter to the editor raises a public issue, such as garbage near a school, noise, traffic or a shortage of water. The editor is addressed as “The Editor”, followed by the newspaper name. Describe the problem, its effect on people and a suggested solution.
Application and request letters
A letter to the principal asking for leave, a certificate or a change of timing is also a formal letter. It is short, respectful and gives the reason clearly. If your paper includes this type, keep it within the word limit and avoid emotional language.
Language and Style Tips for a Formal Letter
Good content can still lose marks to careless language. Keep these habits.
- Write in full forms: “I am” instead of “I’m”, “do not” instead of “don’t”.
- Use polite request phrases: “I would be grateful if”, “I request you to”, “kindly look into the matter”.
- Use the active voice for clarity and the passive only where it sounds natural.
- Keep sentences under about 20 words so each one is easy to follow.
- Link your ideas with simple connectors such as “therefore”, “moreover” and “as a result”.
- Avoid threats and rude words, even in a complaint. A firm, polite tone earns more marks.
Useful opening and closing phrases
For openings, try “I am writing to bring to your notice”, “I wish to enquire about” or “With reference to my order dated”. For closings, use “I look forward to your prompt response”, “I shall be thankful for your cooperation” or “Thanking you”.
Sample 1: Letter of Complaint
Question: You ordered a set of reference books from an online bookstore, but the parcel arrived late and one book was damaged. Write a letter to the manager of the bookstore.
14, Green Park
New Delhi
12 March 2026
The Manager
Readers’ Corner Online Books
Connaught Place
New Delhi
Subject: Complaint regarding late delivery and a damaged book
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to complain about the order I placed on 2 March 2026 (Order No. 4587) for five reference books. The parcel was promised within three days but reached me only after ten days.
On opening the package, I found that the English grammar book had a torn cover and several crumpled pages. I have attached photographs of the damage and a copy of the invoice. This delay has affected my exam preparation.
I request you to replace the damaged book within a week or refund its price. I hope you will take action at the earliest and ensure that such lapses do not recur.
Yours faithfully,
Ananya Verma
This sample is about 110 words in the body, which suits a typical limit. It names the order, the problem, the evidence and the remedy.
Sample 2: Letter to the Editor
Question: The road outside your school is full of potholes, and accidents are increasing. Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper.
27, Model Town
Jaipur
5 April 2026
The Editor
The Daily Courier
Jaipur
Subject: Dangerous potholes on the road outside City Public School
Sir,
Through the columns of your newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the authorities to the poor condition of the road outside City Public School.
For the past two months, large potholes have made the road unsafe. Students on bicycles often lose balance, and several minor accidents have already occurred. During rain the potholes fill with water, and drivers cannot see them.
I request the municipal corporation to repair the road without delay and to place warning signs until work is complete. A safe road is a basic right of every child.
Yours faithfully,
Aarav Singh
Sample 3: Letter of Enquiry
Question: Write a letter to the director of a computer institute asking about a summer coding course.
9, Lake View Colony
Bhopal
20 May 2026
The Director
Bright Minds Computer Institute
Arera Colony, Bhopal
Subject: Enquiry about the summer coding course for school students
Dear Sir,
I have read your advertisement in The Morning Herald about a summer coding course for Class 10 students. I would like to know more about it.
Kindly let me know the duration of the course, the batch timings, the fee structure and whether a certificate is given at the end. I would also like to know if any discount is available for students who join with a friend.
I shall be grateful if you send me the details by email at the earliest.
Yours faithfully,
Meera Kapoor
Sample 4: Letter Placing an Order
Question: Write a letter to a stationery supplier to place an order for school supplies.
31, Civil Lines
Lucknow
8 July 2026
The Proprietor
Student Mart Stationers
Hazratganj, Lucknow
Subject: Order for notebooks and art supplies
Dear Sir,
I am pleased with the quality of the goods I bought from your shop last month. I would like to place the following order: 50 ruled notebooks (200 pages), 20 sketch books and 10 sets of watercolours.
Please deliver the items to the above address by 15 July 2026 and send a bill with the parcel. I will make the payment by cash on delivery. Kindly confirm the order and the total cost.
Yours faithfully,
Kabir Malhotra
Common Mistakes in Class 10 Letter Writing
Most lost marks come from a few predictable errors. Check your answer for each of these before you finish.
- Mixing formats: adding a receiver’s address to an informal letter, or leaving it out of a formal one.
- Writing a long subject line or a full sentence with punctuation.
- Using “Yours sincerely” with “Sir/Madam” or “Yours faithfully” with a named person.
- Ignoring the word limit, either by writing too little or by running far over.
- Copying details from the question word for word instead of paraphrasing.
- Forgetting the date, or writing it in a different style from the rest of the letter.
- Using slang, short forms or emotional language in a formal letter.
- Skipping the closing request, which tells the reader what you expect.
How to Score Full Marks: A Five-Minute Plan
You do not need a long time to write a good letter. A planned approach saves time and avoids mistakes.
- Read the question twice and underline the purpose, the reader and any details given.
- Decide the type: complaint, enquiry, order, editor or informal.
- Jot three bullet points for the body: reason, details, request.
- Write the letter in the standard format, keeping to the word limit.
- Reread for spelling, tenses, the salutation-closing pair and the date.
Practise with a timer. Writing one letter every other day for two weeks builds speed and confidence far better than reading several samples in one sitting.
Letter Writing and Other Writing Tasks
Letters sit alongside reports, diary entries and articles in the writing section, and each uses a different voice. Short announcements and talks follow their own layouts, as shown in our notice writing for Class 12 and speech writing format guides. A report is factual and public, a diary entry is private and personal, and a letter is addressed to a particular reader. It helps to compare them directly, so see how the report writing format for Class 10 differs in structure and tone.
If you also practise personal writing, the diary entry format for Class 6 to 10 shows how the same writer shifts from a formal to a private voice. Knowing the word limits also helps, and our guide to the diary entry word limit by class explains how to plan length for short answers.
Students who struggle to write regularly often benefit from building a daily writing habit. The 4-Week Diary Entry Course is one option for practising short, structured writing every day, though a notebook and a fixed time slot work as well.
Practice Topics for Letter Writing Class 10
Use these prompts to build your own samples. Write each one in the correct format and check it against the checklist above.
- Complain to a shopkeeper about a defective calculator you bought.
- Write to the principal requesting permission to start a school library club.
- Write to the editor about the misuse of loudspeakers near examination centres.
- Enquire about the admission process and fees for a drawing course.
- Order science project material from a supplier.
- Complain to a courier company about a lost parcel.
- Write to the municipal officer about irregular garbage collection in your area.
- Write to a friend describing how you prepared for your exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the word limit for a letter in Class 10?
Most board-style papers ask for about 100 to 120 words for a formal letter, but the number given in the question always takes priority. Check your latest sample paper for the exact limit.
Is the sender’s address compulsory in a formal letter?
Yes. The sender’s address and the date appear at the top right of a formal letter. If the question tells you not to reveal your name or address, use the details provided or a neutral address.
When do I use “Yours faithfully” and when “Yours sincerely”?
Use “Yours faithfully” when you begin with “Sir” or “Madam” and do not know the person’s name. Use “Yours sincerely” when you begin with a name, such as “Dear Mr Sharma”.
Do I need a subject line in an informal letter?
No. A subject line is a feature of formal letters only. An informal letter starts with the sender’s address, the date, the salutation and a friendly opening.
Can I use bullet points inside a formal letter?
Bullet points are acceptable when you are listing items in an order letter, but most letters read better in short paragraphs. Follow the format your teacher recommends.
How many paragraphs should a Class 10 letter have?
Two or three short paragraphs are enough: the purpose, the details and the request or closing. Stay within the word limit.
How can I improve my letter writing quickly?
Learn the format by heart, practise each type twice, and review your work for common errors. Reading well-written letters and writing short ones regularly also helps.
Conclusion
A strong letter 10th class answer follows a simple recipe: the right format, a clear purpose, polite language and a firm closing request. Learn the seven parts of the formal letter, practise the four common types, and avoid the mistakes listed above. With regular practice, letter writing for Class 10 becomes one of the easiest ways to secure marks in the writing section. Try one of the practice topics today, and keep a notebook of your best drafts to revise before the exam.