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Writing Friendly Letters writing

Friendly or informal letters have five parts:

1. The Heading: The heading can include your address and the date. In
casual, friendly letters your address is not necessary.

2. The Salutation (greeting): The greeting always ends with a comma.


The greeting may be formal, beginning with the word “dear” and using
the person’s given name or relationship, or it may be informal if
appropriate e.g. Dear Uncle, Hi Joe,

3. The Body: The body of the letter is the information you are writing in
your letter. It includes the message you want to write. Normally in a
friendly letter, the beginning of paragraphs is indented*. It usually
includes an introduction where we greet the person and state the reason
we are writing; the main body we develop the subject and the conclusion
or signalling the end where we use suitable remarks (invite, send
greeting, etc) or indicate that the letter is going to finish

4. The Closing: This short expression is always a few words on a single


line. In the closing the first word is capitalized and you put a comma
after the last word.

5 The Signature line. This is your name. It goes under the closing

* to start a line of writing towards the middle of the page than other lines.

Heading

Salutation (greeting),

Body (introduction, main body, conclusion)

Closing ,
Signature

P.S.

1
Language of informal letters

Look at the following characteristics of letters.

informal

begins with Dear ... or Hi, Hello

refers to reason for writing

uses contractions

uses abbreviations

uses simple, short sentences

uses simple linkers, e.g. then, later

may have paragraphs

could use slang

could use exclamation marks (!)

ends with Best wishes / Write soon

ends with a signature

EXAMPLES OF OPENINGS, SIGNALLING THE END AND


LETTER CLOSINGS

2
Informal

openings Thanks for your letter.

It was great to get your letter.

I’m writing to ask you a favour.

Sorry for not writing for so long.

Signalling I must go now.


the end

Looking forward to hearing from


you.

I’ll finish now as I’m running out


of space.

Bye for now

I´d better get going

Letter Love
closings

Hope to hear from you soon

Best wishes

EXAMPLES OF INFOMAL LETTERS

10th December
Hi Vic,

How are you? What are you doing this New Year’s Eve? Jean and
I have decided to hold a party at home this year, and we’d love it if
you could come.
We’re planning quite a small party with our old school friends, so
you’ll know all of the guests. There’ll be lots to eat and drink. We’ve
decided to give the party a Mexican theme, with lots of spicy food.
You’ll probably be coming by train won’t you? Just give us a ring
from the station and I’ll pick you up. As the party will be quite late,
you’ll need to stay the night. Don’t worry there’s plenty of room for
everybody.
We’ll, I really hope you can make it. It seems ages since we last
saw. Please let me know as soon as possible.
Lots of love,

3
Mark

Dear Maria,
I thought you'd never reply to my last letter! Anyway, back to your question. Well, if I
were you, I'd choose the museum job.
Working in a restaurant would be very tiring. Trust me I've done such a job, and I quit within a
month! However you talk to lots of people, listen to their discussions which can sometimes be
very interesting but still you get really tired.
Working in a museum though can be really interesting. You just have to explain to the visitors
what is what. You may think that you will have to talk all day, but that's not true. You see many
people just like to browse through the museum. You also have to remind the rules of the
museum to some that disobey them, but these people are usually very few; not something you
should worry about.
I heavily suggest you take the museum job. It's easier and less tiring. I'm looking forward to
get your reply.
Lots of love,
George

2nd May

December 6th

4
5th November 2000

Dear Paula,

Oh, how I missed being with you during the holidays this year! Everything in London is so different from
Spain that I don't know if I'll ever get used to living here. I'm so glad that my father's job at the Spanish
Embassy will only last until June. Then we will come home, and you and I can spend the summer on the
beach. (I hope you'll spend your holiday in Spain, as usual.)

I've already made some very nice friends, but don't worry - no one could ever replace you as my best
friend! After school, I sometimes go to my friend Fiona's house. She enjoys listening to the same music
and watching the same clips that you and I like. In fact, Fiona and I have tickets for Bon Jovi's concert
next month. I wish you were coming with us!

Life is very different here. Would you believe that we have to wear a uniform to go to school? It's awful!
A blue skirt and blazer, a white blouse and a ridiculous checked tie, not to mention a pair of horrible,
long, white socks. Besides, there is nothing to do in the evening. All the shops close by 4.30 p. m. and
pubs are only open till 11 p. m.

That's all for now. I must start my homework for my English class tomorrow. The teacher wants us to
write an informal letter to a friend and I don't even know where to begin! Please write soon and tell me
all the news. I miss you.

Love,

Dear Jane,

I hope you are feeling better Are you able to sit in the garden and enjoy the sunshine?

We all miss you in the office and look forward to your return. There have been a few
changes since you went into hospital. Eric Johnson has now retired (lucky man) and
Matthew has taken over Eric's job. He is struggling at the moment. He hopes you will
return soon to rescue him from the muddle.

I thought you would like the book I'm sending you with this letter I saw it in the
bookshop and thought it would make you laugh. I know you 've always wanted to live
in Greece. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and find time to read it before you return to
work

Take it easy and look after yourself I'll write again soon.

Best regards

Sheila

Informal Letters

Write these two letters

1. Write a letter to a friend you haven't seen or spoken to in a long time. Tell him /
her about what you have been doing and ask them how they are and what they
have been up to recently.

5
2. Write a letter to a cousin and invite them to your wedding. Give them some
details about your future husband / wife.

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