1.5.- Writing an Informal Letter and Revision
Have you got a pen pal? If so, talk about him or her.
Collaborative Reading of the Sample Letter on page 14
Collaborative Exercise 1 on page 14
Collaborative Reading of the Exam Task Guidelines on page 14
Informal Letter Format
1. Salutation
Start with Dear followed by the first name of the person to whom you are writing. In emails, you can also start with Hi (and the person’s name). Dear Ben, or Hi Ben, (Don’t forget to use only the first name of the person you are writing to and not Dear Mr John, which is never used, or Dear Mr John Brown, which sounds too formal.)
2. The first paragraph (opening)
When writing an informal letter, you are usually replying to another letter. You would normally start with a greeting, then acknowledge the letter to which you are replying. It is often a good idea to acknowledge some key information given in the original letter too.
Example opening phrases
- How are you? / How have the family been? / I hope you are well.
- Thank you / Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter/postcard.
- It was good /nice/great to hear from you again.
Other useful phrases
- I’m really sorry that I forgot to send you a birthday card but I was busy with my new job
- Thank you for asking/inviting me to … but I’m afraid I won’t be able to…
- I’m writing to ask for your help / you (if you could do me) a favour.
- I hope you don’t mind me asking but could you (possibly)…
3. The next paragraphs (main content)
Say why you are writing. If you need to change agreements or turn someone down, give reasons. Give the information that you have been told to give. Add some more details of your own if you like.
4. Final Remark, closing formula and signing off
The end of your letter is as important as the beginning. There are some standard ways of finishing an informal letter or email.
Types of final remarks:
- Give a reason why you’re ending the letter:
Anyway, I must go and get on with my work. / I guess it’s time I got on with that studying I’ve been avoiding. - Send greetings and/or make reference for future contact:
Give my love /regards to… / Say hello to… / Anyway, don’t forget to let me know the dates of the party. / I’ll try and phone you at the wee”end to check the times. / We must try and meet up soon. - Closing formula
such as Love, Lots of love, All the best, Take care, Best wishes, should be written on a new line. If you used a comma after the opening greeting, use a comma here too. - Signing off
Your first name then follows on another new line
Informal letters are sent to people you know well (for example, friends, relatives, etc.) about your recent news, personal problems, the information you need, etc. They are written in an informal style with a personal tone.
Informal style
When writing friendly letters, you normally use an informal style. Informal writing is characterized by the use of:
- Direct and personal tone ‘I think’, ‘You should’ and direct sentences ‘I think it’s a good idea’ instead of ‘It would be a good idea’
- Informal vocabulary, ‘totally, lots of stuff’ including phrasal verbs (‘go on’ instead of ‘continue)
- Contractions/short forms I’ve just heard you’ve been to…
- Informal linking words ‘Plus, Also, Well, Anyway, To sum up, In a nutshell’
- Idioms ‘Call it a day’, ‘break the leg’, ‘It’s not rocket science’
- Colloquial expressions ‘I’m most interested’ instead of ‘I am really interested’
- Slang ‘loaded, lit, gutted, cheeky, dude, go bananas’
- Abbreviations ‘ASAP, TV, photo, cell, net’
- Punctuation using exclamation marks (don’t overuse it)
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