Warm-up (30 seconds): Open your Digital Portfolio folder from previous lessons. Find your Polished Proposal from Lesson 5 — this is now the content foundation for today's formal letter.

Today you start KA1 Workshop — creating a range of vocational documents for real stakeholders connected to your Something Real project. First document: a formal letter pitching your project.

Formal Letter Structure

Your letter must follow this exact business format:

1. Your address (top right, multiple lines as needed)
2. Date (below your address, right-aligned)
3. Recipient address (left-aligned, below date with gap)
4. Salutation ('Dear Mr/Ms [Surname],' — never 'To Whom It May Concern')
5. Subject line (optional but recommended: 'Re: TY Charity Fundraiser Proposal')
6. 3-4 paragraphs (purpose, details, benefits/ask, closing)
7. Closing ('Yours sincerely,' then your full name)

Worked Example: Converting Proposal to Formal Letter

From Lesson 5 Proposal: 'We're doing a coffee morning to raise €500 for local animal shelter. We'll sell coffee, cakes, need permission to use school hall.'

Becomes Formal Letter Paragraphs:

I am writing to request permission to organise a TY Charity Coffee Morning on [proposed date] to raise funds for our local animal shelter. The event will feature homemade baking and refreshments served to students and staff during break time.

The coffee morning requires use of the school hall between 10:30-11:30am. We will provide all equipment and ensure full cleanup afterwards. TY students will handle all baking, serving and sales.

This event will raise approximately €500 for animal welfare while developing our teamwork and organisational skills. We would be grateful for your approval to proceed.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]

Notice: Proposal's casual bullet points → formal paragraphs; added specific details, polite requests, professional tone.

Portfolio Deliverable

Save as: 03_letter_v1.docx and 03_letter_v1.pdf in your Digital Portfolio folder.

Follow these steps to set up a formal letter template using content from your Lesson 5 Polished Proposal. This demonstrates correct business formatting that works for any recipient.

Follow these 3 demo steps first, then complete your KA1 deliverable:

1. Open your LETTER_TEMPLATE from Digital Portfolio folder (Word: {{menu:File -> Open}}; Google Docs: find in Drive)
2. Immediately Save As new file called 03_letter_v1.docx (Word: {{menu:File -> Save As -> Browse -> Digital Portfolio -> name file}}); Google Docs: {{menu:File -> Make a copy -> name '03_letter_v1'}} so you don't overwrite template
3. Replace ALL placeholder text (recipient, salutation, subject, body paragraphs) with YOUR Something Real project details. Model exactly on Key Concepts worked example: convert your Lesson 5 Proposal bullet points into 3 formal paragraphs (purpose → details → benefits/ask).

KA1 Deliverable: Finish 03_letter_v1.docx and PDF pitching your project.

Success criteria:

• ✅ Correct formal layout (addresses, date, salutation, closing)
• ✅ 3-4 clear paragraphs about YOUR project (purpose → details → benefits/ask → polite close)
• ✅ Professional formatting (11pt font, 1.15 spacing, 2.5cm margins)
• ✅ Saved as both .docx AND .pdf in Digital Portfolio
• ✅ Spell-checked + proofread

Common issues:

• Issue: Letter looks cramped → Solution: Check margins are 2.5cm, use 1.15 line spacing
• Issue: Can't save as PDF → Solution: Word: {{menu:File -> Save As -> PDF (*.pdf)}} or {{menu:File -> Export -> Create PDF/XPS}}. Google Docs: {{menu:File -> Download -> PDF Document}}
• Issue: Addresses not aligned → Solution: Use {{kbd:Ctrl+R/Cmd+R}} before typing sender address/date