Letter Writing Informal letters

People write letters for different reasons. Writing Letters People write letters for different reasons.  

About Letters All letters must have the address at the top right the date under the address  a greeting on the left news, information and questions  an ending  a signature or name 

The Address The writer’s address is written at the top on the right.

The Date The date is written under the address.

Greetings The greeting is written on the left under the address and date

Greetings There are several variations that can be used depending on how well you know the person: Dear Mary, Hi Mary, Greetings,

News,information and questions News, information and questions are written here.

Letter Endings The ending is written on the left before the signature or name. Use different endings for formal and informal letters.

Complimentary close short comment, for example: Love, Lots of love, With thanks, See you soon, Best wishes,

Signatures and Names The letter ends with your signature or name. Use different signatures for formal and informal letters.   

Typical layout of an informal letter

Tips for writing good letters Make sure that they are well written. Always use your best and clearest handwriting. Make sure all your contact details are clearly written down at the top of the letter. The correct address is essential. Think about what you want to say. If necessary make some notes on a separate sheet of paper first. Think about to whom you are writing the letter. Use the right style of writing and language — formal or informal, business like or friendly. Lay out your letter using paragraphs. This makes it easier for the reader.

How many occasions can they think of which would deserve a letter to be written?

Types of Letters Letters of congratulation Exchanging news Writing to friends Letters saying sorry for doing something wrong Making appointments Asking for information Dealing with banks or stores Letters to family members who live some way away Letters to Santa Claus Thank you letters Letters showing how much you appreciate someone Letters responding to someone who has had bad news — showing how much you care by trying to share their sadness Letters of complaint Letters to newspapers and magazines

Informal Letters Which phrase or type of language would you find in a formal letter? Which phrase or type of language would you find in an informal letter? Put the letter 'F' next to those phrases or language types that are used in formal letters and 'I' next to those used in informal letters.

Put the letter 'F' next to formal phrases and 'I' next to informal ones. I am sorry to inform you that... phrasal verbs I am very grateful for... Why don't we... I will not be able to attend the... idioms and slang contracted verb forms like we've, I'm, etc. Give my regards to... I look forward to hearing from you... Let me know as soon as... short sentences Dear Tom, Dear Ms Smithers, Best wishes, Yours faithfully, I'm really sorry I... Unfortunately, we will have to postpone... We had a little bit of luck... Our computers are used for a variety... I use my pencil sharper for... polite phrases fewer passive verb forms

Put the letter 'F' next to formal phrases, 'I' next to informal ones. I am sorry to inform you that... F phrasal verbs I I am very grateful for... F Why don't we... I I will not be able to attend the... F idioms and slang I contracted verb forms like we've, I'm, etc. I Give my regards to... F I look forward to hearing from you... F Let me know as soon as... I short sentences I Dear Tom, I Dear Ms Smithers, F Best wishes, I Yours faithfully, F I'm really sorry I... I Unfortunately, we will have to postpone... F We had a little bit of luck... I Our computers are used for a variety... F I use my pencil sharper for... I polite phrases F fewer passive verb forms I

Look at the phrases 1-11 and match them with a purpose A-K That reminds me,... Why don't we... I'd better get going... Thanks for your letter... Please let me know... I'm really sorry... Love, Could you do something for me? Write soon... Did you know that.. I'm happy to hear that... A. to finish the letter B. to apologize C. to thank the person for writing D. to share your happiness with something the other person has told you E. to change the subject F. to ask a favor G. before signing the letter H. to suggest or invite I. to ask for a return letter J. to ask for a response K. to share some information

Look at the phrases 1-11 and match them with a purpose A-K That reminds me,... E Why don't we... H I'd better get going... A Thanks for your letter... C Please let me know... J I'm really sorry... B Love, G Could you do something for me? F Write soon... I Did you know that.. K I'm happy to hear that...D to finish the letter 3 to apologize 6 to thank the person for writing 4 to share your happiness with something the other person has told you 11 to change the subject 1 to ask a favor 8 before signing the letter 7 to suggest or invite 2 to ask for a return letter 9 to ask for a response 5 to share some information 10

or Write your first name.   Use the person's first name. Write your address. Write the date. Informal Letters Informal letters are to a friend or a person you know. Address: Date: Greeting: First paragraph: Write something about you Don't write things they know about you Middle: Remember why you are writing the letter deecribe an event, place ask for information or help persuade someone to do something pass information or instructions  Write about this. Ask a question. Last paragraph:   Say again what the letter is about Say what you want Ending: Name: