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| Informal Letter |
Informal Letter Writing
Letter Writing and Formatting
Formal Letter ~ One writes a formal letter to someone who they do not know well, who is not family or friend. E.g.: letters written to the school authorities, letters written to your boss, profession related letters, etc.
Informal Letters ~ These letters are meant for family, friends or anyone whom you know really well. E.g.: letters written to your parents, friend, family members, etc.
Informal Letter
People who still depend on letters as means of communication, sometimes have no idea. Just follow one of the simplest informal letter templates given below and you will be an expert. Unlike a formal letter, we have no such rules in informal letter formats. But there is one particular format which you should follow while writing an informal letter, while understanding the different parts of a letter.
Letter Format
Date and Address:
The writer should mention their own address in the letter they are writing. It should be written on the right hand corner of the page. Writing this address is optional, because one may feel that the recipient knows you well so what's the need? However, it's not necessary that the recipient will remember your address always. So it's better that you write the address. If both the receiver and sender are from the same country, then there is no need to write your country's name. But if both belong to separate countries, then the sender should also write down the name of their country. After the address, leave a line and write the date. The date shows when the letter was written, obviously.
Greetings or Salutation:
The most common way to start off an informal letter is with a 'dear'. Since this letter is meant for your friends or family, there is no need to greet them as 'Sir' or 'Madam'. Put the name after that and then put a comma. e.g Dear Mike,.
If the receiver if very close to you, such as your best friend or your sibling, then instead of a 'dear' you could probably start off with a 'hey!' or 'hi!'. Keep in mind that this is for people who belong to the same age group as you do. Don't write 'Hey Dad!' (Unless of course you are very very close to him).
Text or Body:
While writing the main content of the letter, keep in mind the following:
Formal Letter ~ One writes a formal letter to someone who they do not know well, who is not family or friend. E.g.: letters written to the school authorities, letters written to your boss, profession related letters, etc.
Informal Letters ~ These letters are meant for family, friends or anyone whom you know really well. E.g.: letters written to your parents, friend, family members, etc.
Informal Letter
People who still depend on letters as means of communication, sometimes have no idea. Just follow one of the simplest informal letter templates given below and you will be an expert. Unlike a formal letter, we have no such rules in informal letter formats. But there is one particular format which you should follow while writing an informal letter, while understanding the different parts of a letter.
Letter Format
Date and Address:
The writer should mention their own address in the letter they are writing. It should be written on the right hand corner of the page. Writing this address is optional, because one may feel that the recipient knows you well so what's the need? However, it's not necessary that the recipient will remember your address always. So it's better that you write the address. If both the receiver and sender are from the same country, then there is no need to write your country's name. But if both belong to separate countries, then the sender should also write down the name of their country. After the address, leave a line and write the date. The date shows when the letter was written, obviously.
Greetings or Salutation:
The most common way to start off an informal letter is with a 'dear'. Since this letter is meant for your friends or family, there is no need to greet them as 'Sir' or 'Madam'. Put the name after that and then put a comma. e.g Dear Mike,.
If the receiver if very close to you, such as your best friend or your sibling, then instead of a 'dear' you could probably start off with a 'hey!' or 'hi!'. Keep in mind that this is for people who belong to the same age group as you do. Don't write 'Hey Dad!' (Unless of course you are very very close to him).
Text or Body:
While writing the main content of the letter, keep in mind the following:
- Paragraphs: They should be indented.
- Informal language usage: While writing the letter be as friendly as possible. But don't go overboard. Do keep in mind to whom you are writing the letter. Don't write to your father, 'Hey dude! What's up?', but at the same time don't make the letter boring.
- Punctuations, spellings and grammar: While writing a letter, nothing can be worse than spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. Wrong use of punctuations can change the entire meaning of what you are trying to convey. Things such as 'how are you hope you enjoyed your holidays. Mike going to New York yesterday' makes so sense. It will only confuse the reader. So be careful while writing your letter.
- Use active voice: Active voice makes your letter sound more conversational and makes it more interesting to read. It's as if the person is conversing with you face to face.
- Put in questions: Questions in your letter act as a good base on which you can write your letter on. Also, it motivates the reader to reply.
Close with a Compliment:
After writing the letter, sign off in a friendly manner such as 'Love,' or 'Missing you loads', 'Love you forever,', etc. Don't forget to put a comma after the compliment. Add your name after that.
Post script (PS):
Sometimes, while in a hurry, we often forget to include something in the letter. You can put that in the post script, at the bottom of the letter as P.S. I ranked first in class last week.
There, now if you follow all this, you know how to write an informal letter. So here's a sample which you can refer to while writing the next letter to your friend.
Sample Letter
Letter to a friend inviting him for your birthday party.
After writing the letter, sign off in a friendly manner such as 'Love,' or 'Missing you loads', 'Love you forever,', etc. Don't forget to put a comma after the compliment. Add your name after that.
Post script (PS):
Sometimes, while in a hurry, we often forget to include something in the letter. You can put that in the post script, at the bottom of the letter as P.S. I ranked first in class last week.
There, now if you follow all this, you know how to write an informal letter. So here's a sample which you can refer to while writing the next letter to your friend.
Sample Letter
Letter to a friend inviting him for your birthday party.
| 12 XYZ Lane, PO Box: 1234, New Delhi 13th June 2010 |
Dear Radhika, How are you my friend? It has been some time since we met. How was your trip to Africa? Hope you enjoyed all the Safari trips? I received all the postcards which you had sent me from there. Thanks a bunch! I loved each of them. Hey! Guess what? My Aunt Letty has organized an early birthday party for me, and she has asked me to invite all my friends. You know very well that no party of mine is complete without you. So please be at my place this Sunday. The party doesn't start till 4, but do come early so then we can go fishing at the lake. Bring Andy along with you too. Don't be late. Hope you parents are all right? Give them my regards. And wish you all the best for your baseball match today. Miss you loads pal. See you this Sunday. Take care, |
