Informal letter

What is Informal Letter?

are written to family

members, relatives and
friends, and love letters
 • Date
• Greetings and Name
of Recipient
Structure • Introduction
of a • Body
Personal • Closure
Letter • Complimentary Close
• Signature
 Structure of a Personal Letter
1. Date – This is the date when the letter is writt
en

2. Greetings and Name of Recipient – The gree

ting usually starts with the word ‘Dear’ follow
ed by the given name of the recipient or rela
tionship and it ends with a comma.
eg : ‘Dear Ronald,’ / ‘Dear Uncle,’.
3. Introduction – This is the opening of a letter. I
t may include greetings like ‘How are you?’. So
metimes, you may refer to a previous letter.

4. Body – This is the main body of the letter. It in

cludes the message that the writer wants to te
ll the recipient. It is often divided into paragra
phs.
5. Closure – This part indicates the letter is going
to end. The writer may ask the recipient to repl
y here.

6. Complimentary Close – This short expression i

ncludes a few words on one line. It ends with a
comma.
eg : ‘Yours sincerely,’ ‘Best regards,’ ‘Love,’

7. Signature – the signature of the writer

 Language Use

1.Formality and Accuracy – Formal and

accurate grammar and spelling are expected,
depending on the relationship between the
writer and the recipient.

2. Style – Language use may be personal. For

example, first and second person pronouns
may be frequently used.
Guidelines to write an informal letter:
 Explanation format of informal letter
1. Address
The writer’s address is written at the top right-hand corner. For e
xample:
25, Jalan Tebing 8/8,
Seksyen 8,
40000 Shah Alam,
Selangor Darul Ehsan.

2. Date
Written below the address.For example:
6 June 2011
3. Greeting
Written on the left-hand side of the letter.
Begin with: 
i) Dear........,
eg: Dear Amin, Dear Latifah,
ii) Dearest…, or My dear…., (close friends & fa
mily)
eg: Dearest father, My dear Uncle Syed,
Dearest Siti,
4. Opening(1stparagraph)
You may begin your letter by:

i) Asking about the person’s health. For example:

-  How are you? I hope that you’re in the pink.
-  How’s your family getting on?
- I’m fine and I hope you’re fine too.
- I hope that you’re as fit as a fiddle.
    
ii) Asking what the reader had been up to?
- How’s the weather at your place? Not too
hot I hope.  
- Did you get to visit your grandparents? 
- Did you go on your trip to Paris as you had
hoped?  They say Paris is a beautiful city.
       
iii) Expressing happiness: For example:
-  I received your letter on…
- I’m happy to receive your letter…
-  Thank you for your letter which I
received…..
-  I’m so glad to hear…..
- I’m glad to learn that….
Iv )Expressing sorrow:
- I’m sorry to hear that…..

v) Expressing apology:
- I’d like to say sorry for…
- I’m sorry for not writing….
5. Content (Several paragraphs)
mention your main reason for writing the lette
r. You may use the following phrase:
#  In your last letter, you wanted me to
describe / advice…..
#  I’m writing this letter to….
6. Closing (Last paragraph)
Inform the reader that you are ending the letter. You may
use the following phrases:
-  I’ll write again soon.
- Do write to me soon.
- Well, that’s about all for now.
  - Please give/send my regards to…
- Please convey my warm regards to….
- Let me pen off here.
- Take care of yourself.
- Hope to hear from you soon.
- I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
- Hope to receive a reply from you.
- Bye / Goodbye.
7. Signing off
i) If you are writing to your parents, you can sign off using:
-Your loving daughter,
-Yours lovingly,
-Yours affectionately
 
ii)If you are writing to friends or relatives, you can sign o
ff
using:
-Your friend,
-Yours sincerely,
-Yours faithfully,
-Your niece / nephew,
8. Signature
Sign your name at the bottom of the letter in t
he right-hand corner.For example:
Nuurunnuha
Exercise

Ask students to write a letter to their favorite cel

ebrity or politician