CLL
CLASS: YEAR 11
SUBJECT: ENGLISH
TOPIC LETTER WRITING
FOCUS: INFORMAL LETTERS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
a. describe informal letters with 95% accuracy;
b. state the features of an informal letter;
c. write formal letter withy 85% accuracy.
What Is An Informal Letter?
Informal letters are personal letters written in an informal tone. Informal letters
are written to family, friends, and relatives and also to someone with whom you
do not share any professional relations.
However, it does not exclude workers and business partners with whom you
share a friendly relationship. The writing is casual and is friendly in nature.
Now that you are aware of what an informal letter is, it is important to know
about the informal letter format. Writing a perfect informal letter will require
you to learn about the informal letter writing format as well.
We have shared examples of informal letters for your better understanding. To
know more about how to write informal letters, continue reading…
Informal Letter Format
A format is a pattern or the structure that is to be followed while writing an
informal letter. Unlike formal letters, informal letters do not have any particular
format as such. However, there is a casual pattern or structure that needs to be
maintained. Informal letters can be lengthy as compared to formal ones.
How to write informal letter?
Below mentioned is a structure that should be followed while writing an informal
letter so that your letter looks attractive to the recipient.
These guidelines are basically followed while letter drafting. Let us learn the
format of an informal letter and know how to do effective informal letter writing.
Learning informal letter writing format is super easy with the following
explanations and informal letter writing tips.
Format of Informal Letter
1. Address– The very first thing that you need to write is the address of the
sender. This is written on the left corner of the paper and is the starting point of
the letter. Giving your complete address and pin code is a must.
Though it is an informal letter and you are sending it to your friends and relatives,
it is essential to write the full address so that the recipient can write back to you.
If this letter is for someone staying outside the country, do not forget to mention
the country’s name.
2. Date– Below the address, the date has to be written i.e. the date when the
letter is written. The recipient will know when the letter was written. As far as
possible, the date has to be in an expandable form.
3. Greeting– The greeting can be absolutely informal like ‘Dear Mom’ or ‘Dear
Alan’. If you are writing a letter to someone of your age, you can mention his or
her name after ‘Dear’. If it is for your mother, uncle, aunt or anyone senior to you,
you need to write- ‘Dear Uncle’, ‘dear dad’ etc.
You can write ‘Mr. or Mrs.’ for someone who is elder to you. For example, if you
are writing a letter to your teacher to enquire about her health, you can write‘Dear Mrs. Margaret’.
4. Introduction– After this, you will start writing the actual letter. The first Para in
your letter should be an introduction. This will set the tone of the full letter. You
should start the letter by asking about the recipient’s health. Or you may write- ‘I
hope you are in good health’. This is the opening stage of the letter.
5. Body of the letter– The entire letter tone should be friendly. But you have to
change and adjust the words as and when required. When you are writing to your
friend, you can easily use informal and flippant style. But when you are writing to
your elders or someone respectable, make sure you do not use any disrespectful
words or terms. Your use of words will determine the tone you are using in the
conversation.
6. Conclusion– At the end of the letter, you should summarize and say and a
warm goodbye. Also, make sure you request them to write back to you.
7. Signature– In the end, you need to put your signatures to close the letter. You
can sign off as you want- kind regards, Lots of love, best wishes, etc. Choose the
greeting as it suits the occasion.
Still thinking about how to write informal letter? We have compiled different
samples of informal letters that will help you understand informal letter format
more clearly.
Examples of an informal letter
Now that you are aware of the pattern of informal letters, here is a list of samples
of informal letters that will give you a clear view of the format.
Example 1- Congratulating a friend on the board exam results.
96, Dakshinayan road, Rohini
January 16, 2020
Dear Khushi,
I am so excited to know that you have topped your board examinations. It’s been a
long time since we met. I wish I could congratulate you in person.
Your result has proved how much effort, hard work, and dedication you have given
to your exams. I am not shocked by this news because I have known since we were
in class 2. You have always been a sincere and hardworking girl. I knew that you
are a bit nervous but then I was sure that you will score brilliantly. The only thing I
regret is that I couldn’t be there with you at the celebration party because I was
having my exams then.
Hope to meet you as soon as possible. May parents and grandparents have
congratulated you on your success!
With lots of love,
Yours lovingly,
Anaya
Example 2- Inviting a friend for spending a vacation together.
100, Navyuva Apartment,
Bosebihar Avenue, Kolkata- 26
January 16, 2020.
Dear Rudrashahi,
It’s been a long time since we met. How are you? I hope you are doing well? I hope
this letter finds you in good health.
As you know that summer vacation has already started, I was thinking of spending
the vacations together in Mumbai. I want you to take you out on the city tour as
well as introduce my friends and family to you. I would love to go out and have
street food with you. We can enjoy some time near Marine Drive.
I am just excited at the thought of me and you spending the vacations together. I
just hope that you share your response with me and let me know if it possible for
you to come to my place.
With lots of love,
Yours lovingly,
Sakhhi
Example 3- Letter to a friend for a speedy recovery
106, Nilambar Apartment, Bosebihar Avenue, Kolkata- 26
January 16, 2020
Dear Mahesh,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. Last week I got to know about your
accident and I was highly depressed.
Thank God that he saved you from something very serious. Everything is going to
be ok. I had a word with the doctor yesterday and he told me that there is nothing
to worry about for the time being. Just a few more days in the hospital and you
will be back home! I also had a talk with your mom and she was very upset with
whatever has happened. But now she is happy that you are recovering.
I have good news for you. Your family and friends including me have decided to
celebrate once you come back. My brother and other family members are also
praying for your speedy recovery. Hope to see you soon and in good health!
Lots of Love,
Yours truly,
Aditya
Example 4- Letter of appreciation
62, Regency block, Sarat Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata-19
January 16, 2020
Dear Ratula,
How are you doing? I hope all is well. I just read the novel which you wrote last
week in Kolkata. How can someone write so beautifully? Amazing! My father has
also appreciated your work and has asked me to tell you that you are doing an
incredible job.
I really appreciate the words that you have used and the tone. The best part of
your novel is that your work is absolutely real and derived from real-life
experiences. It shows your writing skills and how much effort you have given to
your writings. You have done absolute justice and I am proud of the way you have
handled it.
Ratula, it has been two years since we have drifted apart because of our higher
studies and career. I hope to meet you soon. Go ahead! The sky is the limit!
With best wishes,
Yours lovingly,
Soniya
Example 5- Apologizing to a friend
28, Naskarhat road, Near K. L. hospital, New Delhi- 24
January 16, 2020
Dear Mahesh,
I hope you are doing well. I know you are angry with me about what has
happened at your birthday party. I wish to apologize and I want you to forgive me.
I don’t our friendship to spoil.
I know whatever has happened was not right. The thing is I was not in a mood
that day. My exams were not good and my mother really scolded me. I shouldn’t
have behaved with you like that. I promise not to behave like that the next time. I
am really sorry about what I said.
Hope you pardon me for my mistakes. Let’s meet if possible! Eagerly waiting for
your response!
With love,
Yours truly,
Raheem
Exercise
Write a letter to your friend who lives in another state telling him about the
present situation in your current city of residence.
(Your letter should not be less than 350 words.)