CHAPTER VI

DEAREST BEST FRIENDS

LEARNING GOALS:
 Students should be able to analyze the structure of personal letter.
 Students should be able to identify the language features used in personal letter.
 Students should be able to understand the message in personal letter.
 Students should be able to write a personal letter and reply it.
Have you ever written a letter for your friends? What did you say in the letter? A
personal letter refers to letter that you write to someone you know in exchanging
information or media of communication. The content of personal letter is usually polite but
informal in nature. It is different from formal letter which is more formal and official. Types
of personal letter may vary, depending on the context of the letter message. It can be a
thank you letter, congratulatory letter, apology letter, invitation letter, or just sharing casual
information.
The content of the letter may influence the language features used in the personal
letter. For example, in a salutation part, you can use 'dear' or simply 'hi/hello'. Moreover,
these two salutations give a different sense of the relation between the Writer and the
receiver. Dear can be used in almost any situation, and it does not show any real degree
of intimacy between the Writer and the receiver. However, Hi/Hello is considered to be
relatively neutral in terms of their level of intimacy, but they seem less formal than dear.
Therefore, it is best for us to keep the receiver of the letter in mind when writing a letter.

What is Pen pal? What information

should be considered in writing a personal
letter? How to open and close letter?
What do you say for asking a reply in the
letter?

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WORK with your group. Watch the video on the websites, and discuss the following
questions!
https://youtu.be/_8I2Y-i7Qq4

https://youtu.be/e6BugsU4a-Y

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgwmAUJx248

https://youtu.be/tB_CHVYxR0s

1. What does the video talk about?

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2. For whom the video intended to?
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3. Summarize the information you get from the video!

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 Video 1:
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 Video 2:

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 Video 3:

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 Video 4:

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1. PERSONAL LETTER
 A personal letter is a letter that you write to someone you know with purposes to
exchange information or communicate.
 Personal letter is less formal than formal letter.
 There are many types of personal letter depending on its context/message. For
example, a thank you letter, congratulatory letter, apology letter, invitation letter, or
just sharing casual information.
 The structure of personal letter includes:
 Name and address of the writer
 Name and address of the receiver
 Date

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  Salutation
 Greeting
 Introduction
 Body
 Complementary closing
 Signature
 The language features of personal text are influenced by the context of the
message and the relationship between the writer and the receiver.
2. HOW TO WRITE PERSONAL LETTER
Whether you write a letter using email or mail it the old-fashioned way, the form is the
same: a friendly letter should include a salutation, inquiries about your friend, news about
your life and an appropriate closing.
 Beginning the Letter
a. Date the letter. If you're taking the trouble to write a hand, it's nice to add a date on
the top left corner of the paper. Many people save letters for years to come, and
they like to be able to see what day and year it was written to reminisce about
earlier times. Write out the date - for example, "May 7, 2013"- or abbreviate it using
only numbers indicating the month, day and year.
b. Write a salutation. The beginning of a letter, whether its handwritten or in the form
of an email, is called a salutation, for example, "Dear Emily" or "Hello, Skylar."
Think about the nature of your relationship with the letter recipient, as well as your
own preferences and style, and choose your greeting accordingly.

 Drafting the Body

a. Begin with some pleasantries. The first paragraph of a friendly letter is usually
warm and light hearted. It's a way to Set the tone of the letter, letting the recipient
know that what's to follow will be friendlier than business like or serious. Use the
first few lines to say an extended hello, tell a joke, or reference the season.
b. Share news and personal details. Now it's time to get to the meat of the letter, your
purpose for writing it. Why are you opening this correspondence? Do you want to
get back in touch with a long-lost friend, express to someone that you are missing
them, or thank them for helping you out in some way? Be forthright, open, and
articulate to communicate your message effectively.
c. Reference topics that are relevant to your friend. Follow up by making references
and asking questions to show you're interested in your friend’s life. You can also
discuss topics of mutual interest. Write your thoughts on art, politics, Current
events, or any other subject that you’d discuss with your friend in person. Consider
suggesting movies you've seen that you think your friend would like, or books

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 you've read that you want to recommend. Sharing good information is always
welcome in letters.

 Closing the Letter

a. Wrap it up. Write a final paragraph sending your friend or loved one best wishes.
Try to end the letter on a note that will leave your friend with positive feelings.
Reiterate the purpose of the letter. "l hope you can come!", "Have a wonderful
Thanksgiving!" or something to that effect.

 Encourage your friend to write back If you" like a response, write, "Hope
to hear from you soon: or," Please write back!"
b. Write a Closing, the closing you choose should be in keeping with the feel of
your letter, whether it is traditional or more casual in tone. Like the salutation, it
should be determined by your relationship with the recipient. Follow the closing
by signing your name.
If you want to write a formal closing, or "Best wishes."
If your letter is more casual in tone, try care: or "Cheers."
For a more intimate closing, choose love," or "Thinking of you."
c. Consider including a postscript. A postscript; or PS, is often included at the end
of friendly letter to add information that isn’t important enough to merit its own
paragraph in the body of letter
3. EXPRESSION USED IN COMPLIMENTARY CLOSING
Sincerely and faithfully yours seem too flat and usual for a personal letter. There are
many expressions can be used to replace those two expressions. Famous writers,
entertainers, and politicians offer us a list of ideas of complimentary closing in their
published letters.
Learn the expressions and make your own signature expressions.
A. Rename Yourself
 Your Affectionate Aunt, (Jane Austen)

 Yours truly, (George Bernard Shaw)

 Yours ever, (Margaret Thatcher)

 I trust you will find this reply satisfactory, and remain yours faithfully, (J. R. R.
Tolkien)
 I am your fellow man, but not your slave, (Frederick Douglass)

B. The Present Participle

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  Hoping that you may like it believe me/Very truly yours, (Sir Henry Rider
Haggard)
 Waiting to know your judgment, I am, /Yours very truly and devoted,
(Roberto Rossellini)
 And my own variation: Wondering when you'll write again, (Daniella
DautriCh)
C. Prepositional Phrase
 With the greatest esteem and respect, I am, dear Sir, your most obedient
and most humble servant (Benjamin Franklin)
 With friendly thanks and best wishes, /Yours, (Albert Einstein)

 With kindest regards, I remain, /Sincerely yours, (Fred Astaire)

D. All about Adverbs

 Affectionately your brother, (Abraham Lincoln)

 Respectfully yours, (Jackie Robinson)

 Truly Yours, (Edgar Allan Poe)

 Cordially, (Philip K. Dick)

 Always your friend, (Ernest Hemingway)

 Scientifically yours, (Dr. Bunsen Honeydew PhD Esq.)

E. Short and Sweet

 Cheers, (Kurt Vonnegut)

 Regards, (Owen Chamberlain)

 Adieu, adieu, adieu! (Mark Twain)

 All the best, (Dr. Seuss)

 All best otherwise, (Harlan Ellison)

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 Read the following letter and answer the questions based on the letter

Bastian <beast_one_789@hotmaiI.com>
To: kimqueen@gmail.com Jan 2, 2020

Hi, Kimberley,
Thanks for the e-mail. It is always nice to hear from a smart person like you,
Kimberley. It's only you who sent a reply for answering my questions. Your
answers really help me finish my paperwork.
By the way, are you busy with your school's work? Sorry, it's a silly question,
right? I'm sure you're always busy, but you can manage it very well. Two
thumbs up!
Kim, do you have some free time at the end of this month? I want to meet
you. May I drop by at your house? If it's not possible, we can meet at a food
stall. Please you decide the place. I need your suggestion for my future.
Once again, thank you for everything you have given me. I need your reply
soon.
Sincerely,
Bastian

Answer the following questions below!

1. Who receives the e-mail?
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2. What is the e-mail about?
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3. Why does Fanny write the e-mail?
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 4. How is Fanny's place now?
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5. How far is Fanny's old place to her campus?
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6. Why does Fanny say that the situation is worse during rainy season?
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7. Why did Fanny move to a new dorm?
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How long does Fanny need to arrive at her campus from her new place?
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8. How does Fanny feel after moving to a new place?
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9. What can we learn from Fanny's e-mail?
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The Following letter is for questions 1 to 4.
Elly Dec 28 20.01
To: charly@gmail.com
Hello, Charly. How are you doing? Hopefully, you are fine. Here in Paris, I am always fine
too, thanks. Sorry for not sending you emails because I 'm very busy with my study. You
know, these three months were very hard days for me. I had to adapt to new people
environment, customs, culture, food, and climate. I'm writing this email in my apartment
and the temperature is now 10 degrees centigrade. Very cold for us, isn't it? Talking about
the food, J have lost five kilos due to adjustments to the diet. But I'm sure, I'll get used to it.
Let me tell you this. I have lots of work to do. I have to write two or three articles every
week. Luckily, I can obtain any information I need easily. The internet connection is pretty
fast that helps me very much. My new colleagues are also helpful. They help me check my
work before I submit it.
Well, at the end of this year, I will have two weeks off, so I will go around Europe. I plan to
visit Belgium, Holland, and Poland. I hope I'll get many new experiences. I'll send you my
photographs and souvenirs.
I think that's enough for now. Please pass my warm greetings to mom and dad. May we all

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 always be healthy.
Hug, Elly

1. What is the purpose of the letter?

a. To provide information.
b. To wish someone.
c. To offer suggestions.
d. To congratulate a person.
e. To describe a certain place.
2. Who is Charly?
a. Elly's friend.
b. Elly's cousin.
c. Elly's father.
d. Elly's uncle.
e. Elly's brother.
3. How long has Elly been in Paris?
a. For three days.
b. For three weeks.
c. For three months.
d. Since December.
e. Since December
4. How is Elly now?
a. Friendlier.
b. Smarter.
c. Thicker.
d. Skinnier.
e. More beautiful
5. 'The internet connection is pretty fast that helps me very much." (Paragraph 2) What is
the similar meaning of the underlined word?

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 a. Cheap.
b. Excellent.
c. Long.
d. Clear.
e. Quick.
The following letter is for questions 6 to 10.

35 Senggigi Raya
Lombok
75009 Nusa Tenggara Tlmur
January 12, 2014

My dear lovely Siti,

How are you? I know you are angry with me because I am writing to you after
a long time. I am so sorry, please forgive me.
You know, we are in Lombok right now. It is so beautiful beyond imagination.
I am writing to you from this really cute little café on the Senggigi Beach. As
you know, mom loves shopping, so she goes and will go for hours. I took a
rain check from shopping and decided to write to you while enjoying my cup
of coffee.
You know, yesterday we went to Gili Nanggu Island; it is a beach on the
southwest of Lombok. The place is awesome. It is so beautiful that I couldn't
believe my eyes. There are beautiful coral reefs everywhere. We went for
snorkeling and saw the most amazing fish ever. I wish you were here; it
would have been much more fun.
Mom makes sure we don't miss any sight in the whole city, so we've
practically been everywhere.
I have to go, mom is here. I will see you soon.
Lots of love
xoxo
P.S. I'm bringing you lots of souvenirs and pictures!!

6. Where was Lana writing the letter from?

a. The hotel rooms.
b. convenient shop.
c. The Senggigi Beach.

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 d. A shopping mall.
e. Gili Nanggu Island.

7. Why did Lana write the letter?

a. To give the receiver advice.
b. To thank the receiver.
c. To share her experience:
d. To deliver good news.
e. To apologize.
8. What did Lana do to make Siti happy?
a. She accompanied her mother shopping.
b. She bought lots of souvenirs for her.
c. She asked Siti to catch her up.
d. She told Siti about Lombok.
e. She didn't go anywhere.
9. "The place is awesome.” (Paragraph 3). The synonym of the underlined word is …
a. lively
b. elegant
c. memorable
d. amazing
e. sparkling
10. From the letter, we can infer that ……………….
a. Lana and Siti played at the beach together
b. Lana was writing the letter while drinking
c. Lana’s mother can goes shopping for hours
d. Siti was happy because she stayed at home
e. Gili Nanggu Island is located on the west of Lombok
The following letter is for questions 11 to 13.

Zahra <zahraaja@yahoo.com>

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 To: audrey_smile 12@yahoo.com
Jan 19 17.45

Good morning, Audrey. It's 5.45 p.m. here in Indonesia. How is Paris? Still snowing?
Hope everything is fine with you. Sorry for being late replying your e-mail. I didn't Open
my e-mail account for three days as I was very busy with school assignments. I hope
you're not angry. I promise to read my e-mails regularly and send you replies as soon
as possible.
Along with this e-mail, I want you to know that I'm really excited to have a friend like
you. You always share your experiences. You also provide me many information about
education in France, it motivates me to develop my skills. Hopefully, I have a chance to
study engineering abroad. Please tell me the best university in France where I can
study mechanical engineering.
Here I send you three videos I made a week ago when my school held a cultural
festival. I also sent you several photos of my shots using cell phone camera. Hope you
like them. That's all for now. Hope to hearing from you soon. Have a nice day!
Best wishes,
ZAHRA

11. Who is Audrey?

a. Zahra's e-pal. B.
b. Zahra's sister.
c. Zahra's mother.
d. Zahra's teacher
e. Zahra's classmate.
12. Why did the writer write the letter?
a. To apologize.
b. To provide advice.
c. To thank the receiver.
d. To share experience.
e. To deliver the good news.
13. "Hopefully, I have a chance to study engineering abroad." (Paragraph 3) The
underlined word can be replaced by ……..
a. capacity
b. passion
c. advantage

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 d. intention
e. opportunity

The following letter is for questions 14 and 15.

Dorothy
US
February 2, 2019

Dear Kalbu,
As always, my pleasure to receive your letter, Kalbu. Please don't hesitate.
Right now, I'm in a hurry (going out to pick up my little sister). But just before
I go, I want to send you a map showing many Shops in the city,
so, you don't need to worry when you stay here in US. Those are specialized
in selling Indonesian or Asian food items. There you can buy Indonesian
spices and ingredients. They also sell ready-to-eat meals.
Let me tell you. Perhaps one of the shops is near the apartment where you
might stay. Otherwise, you need to check them out. Even I visit an
Indonesian shop on weekends. It's about two kilometers away from my
house, so I need to ride my bicycle to get there. You know what?
I often buy tea and white coffee from Indonesia. They are just perfect! I also
buy rendang, kering tempe and oseng-oseng. Those are my favourite dishes
when I stay in Indonesia. I hope this information is beneficial for you.
Please contact me when you have landed in US.
See yea!
Dorothy

14. How did Dorothy write the letter?

a. Carefully.
b. Fast.
c. Clearly.
d. Happily.
e. Neatly
15. From the letter we can see that Dorothy is ……..
a. very wise

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b. very gentle
c. very concerned
d. so honest
e. very patient

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