Richard Said:

What is the appropriate greeting to use for a formal letter if the addressee only gives their initials?

We Answered:

The salutation would be: "Dear Sir or Madam" - hopefully their response will indicate their gender. Perhaps you could call their office and ask for "JR Smith," and the person answering the phone will respond "Mr./Ms. Smith is not in right now ..." and answer that question for you!

Jimmie Said:

How to write a "formal letter requesting domestic waste water sewer reconnection"?

We Answered:

I personally do not think you would need anything special in the letter, just the facts and information you are trying to get across. Like you said you have already done the hard part, now all you have to do is articulate that in a professional and persuasive manner. Good luck, I think you are doing a pretty cool thing with this.

Herbert Said:

Emailing a formal letter to a university: Use a document or within email?

We Answered:

E-mail is not formal... A typed document is formal. Yikes, we actually use typed documents as formal documents, even in 2009! So it does not have to be "typed" per se - actually printed on paper is perhaps the term I should have used. And actually put into an envelope and 'snail mailed' to them.

That is the formal way of doing it. And just so you know it has been received, actually go to the Post Office and have it sent certified/return receipt requested. It will cost you maybe $1.50 to do that...maybe a bit more, but not much. You will have evidence it was sent and received. I know...we sort of do with e-mail, but that is simply not FORMAL.

You can send it e-mail, but do the actual written thing, too.

Dianne Said:

How to begin a formal letter to many people?

We Answered:

For a Formal letter, you would address it, 'Dear Ladies and Gentlemen'...

It is with great pride and pleasure that I announce the blah, blah, blah.

It is with great sadness that I must announce the, blah, blah, blah.
_______________________________

A 'Memo' is considered neither 'formal' nor 'personal'. It's just business-as-usual.

Date: July-10-09
Subject: Parking
To: All Personnel
From: John Doe, HR Manager

Beginning Monday, July 20-09, please be advised that all those not parking their cars in their assigned spaces will have said cars towed.
_______________________________

Edward Said:

How to write a formal letter to a GM to renew an employee's job contract?

We Answered:

He can't unilaterally renew it, they have to be willing to.

Francisco Said:

How to write a sample of a formal letter indicating this 5 subjects?

We Answered:

If I understand correctly, the employer is introducing the employee to ANOTHER company, so the letter is a reference? If so, then the first answer you received is not the right sort of letter. I think you need something more like this:

Dear Ms Smith

I am writing in reply to your request (dated 6 May 2008) for a formal reference for Mr Jones. Mr Jones was employed by Old Company Ltd in the position of Sales Assistant. His employment with us started on 1 April 2005 and his contract terminated on 30 April 2008. Mr Jones was employed on a full-time basis, working 40 hours per week. Mr Jones' base salary was £20,000 plus our company's standard package of employment benefits, including a non-contributory pension.

Yours sincerely

Ms Pink

The letter should have Old Company's letterhead and be addressed to Ms Smith at New Company.

I hope this helps, but do please ask if you would like anything further.

Tom