Informal Letters - not always necessary

- has to be your address (address of the addressee in not needed)

Purpose - no name is needed
- communication between two people who are usually familiar to
each other
- topic on a personal level (introduction, personal report, invitation, Date
etc.) - always necessary
- quite free format, e.g. 24 October 2011
Sample Letter 24th October
Monday, 24 October
56 Shamrock Avenue
Dublin, Ireland Salutation
- always necessary
24 October - Dear ,
Hi ,
Dear Laura, Hello ,
This is Ruth Parker. Remember me? We used to be friends in Body
primary school. We havent seen each other for about 10 years- right? - has to be divided into paragraphs
Anyway, how are you? Ive got your address from Debbie Turner. I - format of paragraphs: first line of each paragraph is indented or
hope you dont mind. What are you doing now? Are you working? You an empty line between paragraphs without indentation
always wanted to be a police officer! - the 1st paragraph should lead in the topic; starting examples:
At the moment Im studying medicine at the university here. I think -
Ive changed a lot over the years. Im not fond of heavy metal anymore- I - Thanks for your letter./ Ive just received your letter and Im
prefer classical music now. Do you remember Tony Gibbs? Hes on the writing at
same course as me and guess what- were going out together! once because.
Well, I must finish now because Ive got an exam tomorrow. Write - Im sorry I havent written for a while but Ive been very busy.
back soon and tell me all your news. - Sorry for not writing so long.
All the best, - It was great to hear from you again.
Ruth - Thank you very much for answering my last letter so quickly.

P.S. John Austin says hi. - use short forms like Im, dont, etc.
- exclamation marks are also possible to give emphasise
- ask questions to motivate an answer
Closing Post Script - the last paragraph should close the topic; examples:
- always necessary - not necessary
- Im looking forward to hearing from you.
- Examples: - I hope to see you soon.
Lots of love, - Ive no more news at the moment.
Love, - I hope to have a letter from you soon.
Yours, - Write me and let me know how you are getting on.
All the best, - I must end now but Ill write a longer letter next time.
Take care, - I cant think of anything else to write about at the moment.
Best regards, - Bye for now. Take care and write me soon.
- Well, thats all for now.

Useful Expressions
Address
Saying thank you
Im just writing to thank you for.
It was very kind of you to That reminds me,... to finish the letter
Thanks very much for Why don't we... to apologize
I am very grateful for I'd better get going... to thank the person for writing
Thanks for your letter... to begin the letter
Giving advice Please let me know...
to change the subject
Well, if I were you, I would I'm really sorry...
Love, to ask a favor
Have you thought about.?
Could you do something for me? before signing the letter
In your last letter you said you weret sure what to do about.. to suggest or invite
Write soon...
I think you should/shouldnt Did you know that.. to ask for a reply
In your last letter you asked me about. I'm happy to hear that... to ask for a response
to share some information
Good news
Im sure youll be pleased to hear that.
I feel sure that youll be interested to know that.
By the way, did you know that.?
Youll never guess what happened!
Im really glad/ happy to hear about
I was very happy to read that

Bad news
Im sorry to tell you that.
Bad news, Im afraid.
Im extremely sorry to hear/read that
Its so sad to hear/read about

Asking for help

I wonder if you could help me.
I hope its not too much to ask but
I wonder if I could ask you a favour.Could you?

Apologising
Im writing to say sorry (for)
I would like to apologise for..
Im so sorry that

1 Look at the phrases and match them with a purpose.