Writing a letter in Russian

For the AS written exam paper (Unit 2, which includes listening and reading comprehension as well as writing), you will have to write a short letter, report or article on one of the 4 topic areas.

When writing a letter in Russian, there are a number of set phrases which you will need to learn. This site here includes a good range of useful phrases and has a couple of sample letters, including one to a business asking for an internship.

How you phrase your opening and finishing greetings, depends on the degree of formality of the letter. Уважаемый is used in formal contexts and Дорогой when you're writing to a friend.

Starting your letter...
Уважаемые господа - Dear Sirs
Уважаемый/ая господин/госпожа - Dear Sir or Madam
Уважаемая редакция - Dear Editorial
Уважаемый д-р Давыдов (д-р = доктор)  - Dear Dr Davidov
Уважаемый Сергей Иванович - Dear Sergei Ivanovich (formal)
Дорогой Андрей Петрович - Dear Andrei Petrovich (informal, to a friend)


Finishing your letter:
С уважением,  - respectfully yours (formal)
С наилучшими пожеланиями,- with my very best regards (formal)
less formal:
С уважением Ваш (Ваша) [your name], = best regards (informal)
Искренне Ваш (Ваша) [your name] = sincerely yours (but more informal than this sounds in English)