Unit: Getting Through. Sequence03: Developing Skills.

Formal Vs Informal Letters

Task01 : Match texts (1.2.3.4) with messages (A/B/C/D) in the box :

A- a formal letter of apology. C- a formal invitation.

B- An informal acceptance of invitation. D- an informal letter of apology.

December13th, 2020 Dec 12th, 2020

Djamila and Mokhtar Dridi
Would like to invite you to the
Wedding Party
of their son Walid Dridi on
Saturday 31st December,
From 6.00p.m to 10.00p.m.
We look forward to seeing you.
Yours sincerely.
Dear Lina,
Thanks for your invitation.
I’m so excited for your birthday party.
I can’t wait to dance and eat the cakes, LOL !
Don’t forget the fireworks !
Yours Sarah
See ya.
1 2

November 10th, 2008 Nov. 16th, 2020

Dear Sir/ Madam, Dear Amine,
I am writing to apologise for the absence Hey dude, what’s up ? Well, I’m very sorry for
of my daughter Rofya from school being absent in your graduation party last week.
yesterday. She had to take care of her little I had an accident and I broke my leg.
sister because of the unxpected absence of I’ll come to see you as soon as I get well.
her mother. CYA !
Yours faithfully, Yours , Rami 4
Nariman Bedwi. 3
Task02 : A comparison between Formal and Informal Letters : Analysing language and style
Read again the letters (A/B/C/D) and put a tick in the right column :
Language / Style Formal Informal Example
Letters A / C Letters B/ D
Short sentences
Long sentences
Abbreviations (Contracted forms)
Polite requests
orders
Street language (slang, informal)
Standard English (formal)
Practice : Write it right : Task01 : Write an invitation letter about one of the following subjects :
- Birthday Party/ Wedding Party/ Dinner Party / Tea Party. Use letters A/B as models.
Task 02 : Imagine you made a mistake. Write a letter of apology to whom it may concern. Use letters C and
D as models.
 Language / Style Formal Informal Example
Letters A / C Letters B/ D
Short sentences Thnx for your invitation
Long sentences I am writing to apologise for the
absence of my daughter Rofya
from school yesterday.
Abbreviations (Contracted forms) I’m I’ll don’t
Polite requests Would like to invite you…
orders Don’t forget the fireworks.
Street language (slang, informal) LOL CYA( see you)
Standard English (formal) Faithfully sincerely