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Writing An Informal Letter

This document provides guidance on writing an informal letter to a friend. It recommends including the friend's name in the introduction, using a chatty tone, asking questions about the friend, and ending informally. Examples of typical expressions to use are given for the beginning, contents, and closing of the letter. A sample question and answer are also included to demonstrate an appropriate style for an informal letter in 120-180 words.

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Blanca Ruiz de Somocurcio
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68 views2 pages

Writing An Informal Letter

This document provides guidance on writing an informal letter to a friend. It recommends including the friend's name in the introduction, using a chatty tone, asking questions about the friend, and ending informally. Examples of typical expressions to use are given for the beginning, contents, and closing of the letter. A sample question and answer are also included to demonstrate an appropriate style for an informal letter in 120-180 words.

Uploaded by

Blanca Ruiz de Somocurcio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Today we are better than we were yesterday and tomorrow even better

AFTER SCHOOL FCE WRITING


NAME: ____________________________________ Miss: Blanca Ruiz de Somocurcio

WRITING AN INFORMAL LETTER


Informal Letter advice and suggestions
Imagine that you are writing to a real friend of yours. Its easier to write in a natural way and
will give you more ideas.
Your friends name should be included in your introduction. Begin the letter with Dear Maggie,
etc.

Begin your letter with some general chat: Hi Maggie, Hows it going?, etc

Refer to the letter you have received from your friend and thank him/her for writing or
apologise for the fact that you have answered the last letter a bit late.

Use the proper register (style). This is extremely important. You will lose marks if the style is
not appropriate.

The letter is supposed to be informal so you can use contractions, informal linking words and
expressions like: well, by the way, anyway, so, colloquial expressions, etc.

You can use a chatty style of writing and even ask questions in your letter:Do you remember
that guy we met at the airport? or Do you fancy visiting?

Use questions to ask about your friend arrange your next meeting and send greetings to
his/her friends and family, etc.

Finish your letter in an informal way: Best wishes, Love, Regards

The student must write 140-190 words.

Typical expressions to use when writing to a friend


Beginnings
Thanks for your letter.
Sorry for not writing for so long / Im sorry to hear youve been ill.
It was lovely to hear from you/ It was great to get your letter.
It was nice to hear from you / Thank you so much for writing.
Contents 1st paragraph
Thank you for sending me
Im writing to ask you a favour.
Your last letter was a real surprise. I didnt think you would remember my birthday.
Thanks a lot for the information you sent me in your last letter.
Ive just received your letter. Im so happy to hear that
Im sorry I havent written for so long but

Im sorry I took so long to answer, but I was really busy with

Signalling the end


I must go now./ Id better finish.
Ill have to finish now because
Anyway, Id better get ready for work now, so
Closings (at the end)
Write soon / Write again soon!
Bye for now/ Best wishes / Take care.
Good luck!
Hope to hear from you soon.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Well, thats all for now. Will talk to you soon.
Give my regards to your family.
SAMPLE QUESTION
You have received the following letter from your English friend, Maggie.
Im really pleased youre planning to come to England to stay for a couple of weeks. Let me know
your address and we can meet when you get here. Make sure you bring some warm clothes as its
been a bit cold lately.
Write and tell which place you fancy visiting. Maybe we could do a day trip to London and also stay
on the south coast for a couple of days. What do you reckon?
Write your letter in 120-180 words in an appropriate style.
Do not write any postal addresses.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Hi Maggie,
It was great to hear from you again. I havent seen you since..
Going to London sounds like a great idea. Im really looking forward to.
Anyway, keep in touch and Ill see you soon.
Pete
NOTES
As you can see, you only need to include a few nice expressions and answer the questions that
Maggie asked you. Its quite a simple formula.
Have a look at my Informal Letter samples to give you a few ideas.

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