Example of an informal letter
|
|
|
|
|
2nd May |
| Dear John(,) |
|
|
|
Thanks for your last letter and the nice photos……………. |
|
| ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… |
|
| Sorry, but I have to finish. |
|
| Hope to hear from you again. |
|
|
Take care. |
|
|
Peter |
|
|
|
|
|
| tips: |
|
| - the date: top right hand corner (day/month-BE – or month/day-AE)
- comma after name not necessary, but begin after that with a CAPITAL letter
- ending: Take care, Cheers, Yours, Love, then a comma and your name |
|
|
Resource: http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/words/letters.htm
Exercise on 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.
- 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
|
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…
|
- to finish the letter
- to apologize
- to thank the person for writing
- to begin the letter
- to change the subject
- to ask a favor
- before signing the letter
- to suggest or invite
- to ask for a reply
- to ask for a response
- to share some information
|
Choose one of the three subjects and write a letter to a friend or family member
Resource: http://esl.about.com/library/lessons/nblwrite_informalletter.htm
DOWNLOAD FILE