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Invitation and Replies

The document discusses the format and characteristics of formal and informal invitations and replies for various occasions. It provides guidelines for drafting invitations for events like weddings, birthdays, and inaugurations. It explains that formal invitations use third person, are addressed to multiple invitees, and don't include signatures. Informal invitations are written like letters in first person and include greetings, dates, and signatures. Replies also have set formats, with formal replies using third person and formal expressions, while informal replies are like ordinary letters using first names.

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Khadeeja Shoukath
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207 views4 pages

Invitation and Replies

The document discusses the format and characteristics of formal and informal invitations and replies for various occasions. It provides guidelines for drafting invitations for events like weddings, birthdays, and inaugurations. It explains that formal invitations use third person, are addressed to multiple invitees, and don't include signatures. Informal invitations are written like letters in first person and include greetings, dates, and signatures. Replies also have set formats, with formal replies using third person and formal expressions, while informal replies are like ordinary letters using first names.

Uploaded by

Khadeeja Shoukath
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Invitation and Replies

Invitation
To invite someone for an occasion, we use the written form Invitation.
Invitations are generally printed cards through which we invite our guests on some
auspicious occasions like wedding, birthday, wedding anniversary, house warming, the
inauguration of a shop/factory, etc.

♦ Invitations are of two types:


(a) Formal and
(b) Informal.

These can be printed on cards or can be drafted in the form of letters.

♦ Main Characteristics:
An invitation is a complete information. It answers the questions: who, whom, when,
where, what time and for what. The important components of an invitation, therefore,
are:

 Occasion
 Name(s) of the invitee(s)
 Name(s) of the host(s)
 Date, time and venue.
 Name(s) of the chief guest or special invitees, in case of an official invitation.

Format of Formal Invitations:


In case of formal invitations, each of the following is written in a separate line with fonts
of varying sizes.

 Names of the hosts


 Name of the invitee (in case of a formal letter of invitation)
 Formal phrase of invitation, for example:
Request the pleasure your benign presence/company Seek your auspicious
presence
Solicit your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion
 Date, time and venue of the event
 Occasion/ reason of the invitation.

Characteristics of Formal Invitations:


1. Meant for a lot of invitees:

 These are written in the third person


 In case a VIP is invited as the chief guest, the name of the VIP must appear
prominently.
 Name of the invitee is not to be included. The addressee’s address is to be written
only on the envelope.
 Simple present tense is to be used.
 The date of writing is not to be given.
 There is no signature of the host.
 The abbreviation RSVP (French: repondez silvers plait) i.e. ‘Please reply’ is
written below on the left side with name(s), address and phone number of the
host(s).
 Put the invitation into a box.
 Do not exceed 50 words.

2. Meant for an individual (a formal letter of invitation)

 Include the name of the invitee.


 These are to be written on run-on lines. The sentence is not broken into different
words/phrases.
 Other details are similar to the mass-scale invitations.

♦ Writing Informal Invitations:


Informal

 Written in a letter form, in an informal format. Such letters are very persuasive in
nature.
 Written in the first person.
 Salutation is ‘dear + name’.
 Complimentary close ‘Yours sincerely’.
 Date of writing the invitation is given.
 Sender’s address appears on the left-hand side.
 Various tenses used to suit the sense.

♦ Replies

Replies Accepting or Declining


Formal Follow a set formula:

 formal words: ‘kind invitation’, ‘great pleasure’, ‘regret’, etc.


 Use third person (‘they’) instead of first person (T, ‘We’)
 Address of the writer and the date to be written.

♦ Informal – Accepting or Declining

 Like an ordinary letter


 Do not use any formal expressions, but use informal words and expressions
 Use first person (‘I’, ‘We’).
 ♦ Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
As Secretary of the Literary Club of St. Anne’s School, Ahmedabad, draft a formal
invitation in not more than 50 words for the inauguration of the club in your
school. (Delhi 2009)
Answer:

St. Anne’s School


Ahmedabad

We cordially invite all staff, students and parents for the inauguration of the Literary
Club of the School on 29th July between 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. within the school
premises. Well, known novelist, Mr Sandeep Kumar will be our Chief Guest. You all are
also requested to join us in the auditorium for tea and snacks after the inauguration
ceremony.
Secretary

2 Draft an invitation card in about 50 words to celebrate the annual function


of Pariksha.
3 Mr Aseem Mathur wishes to invite his friend Mr Vikash Sachdeva to his
brother’s engagement party. Draft an informal invitation in about 50 words.
Answer:

12/16 Rajendra Nagar


New Delhi
15th July 20XXMy Dear Vikash
You will be very glad to know that my brother is getting engaged on 25th July 20XX. You
and your family are cordially invited. My parents are looking forward to having you with
us at the engagement ceremony at our residence at 7 p.m.Your friend
Aseem Mathur

ACTIVITIES
1. The Managing Director of New Engineers Ltd desires to
invite his staff to the New Year party. Design an informal
invitation in about 50 words for the occasion.
2. You have been invited as a judge for a debate competition
by New Era Public School. Draft a formal refusal in about
50 words.
3. You are Dr Mahesh T Vipathi and you have received an
invitation from the Director, Health Services, New Delhi to
attend a workshop on ‘Child Care’ on 15 May. Many
leading practitioners of the state have been invited to grace
the occasion. Respond informally to the invitation in about
50 words.

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