The short version: A letter is written to one particular reader — so its tone, address and formality reveal the relationship between writer and reader, and what the writer wants.
The same news, two letters.
“Dear Sir, I write to express my dissatisfaction…” vs “Mum — you're not going to believe this…”
Before you read a line of content, the greeting and tone already tell you the relationship. A letter always has an ‘I’ writing to a ‘you’ — analyse how they speak to each other, and why.
What to look for
Salutation and sign-off
‘Dear Sir’ vs ‘Hey you’ — the greeting sets the formality and relationship instantly.
Direct address to ‘you’
A letter always speaks to a specific reader; watch how it treats them.
Register (formal / intimate)
Long, polite sentences vs short, warm ones signal distance or closeness.
A clear purpose
To thank, complain, persuade, apologise or console — the letter wants something.
The key move: Ask ‘what is the relationship, and what does the writer want?’ A letter's tone and address carry both — analyse how the writer treats the reader.
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Why it matters in the exam: A letter can appear in Paper 1. A strong answer analyses how tone, address and register reveal the relationship and purpose — not just what the letter says.
Analyse how the opening of this letter reveals the relationship between the writer and the reader.
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Watch out: Don't ignore the greeting and tone. ‘Dear Sir’ vs ‘Hi love’ changes everything — the relationship and register are half the meaning.