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Informal Letter Writing - Tips, Structure, and Samples

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How to Write an Informal Letter? - A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

An informal letter is a letter that is written casually. You can write them to cousins, relatives, friends or family. An informal letter can be written even to your formal contacts if you share a friendly relationship with them. There are different ways to carry out this type of letter writing depending on which country you're in. This article will address the English/American way.

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Table of Content
1. How to Write an Informal Letter? - A Comprehensive Guide
    1.1Introduction
2. Contents of Informal Letter
    2.11. Address
    2.22. Date
    2.33. Opening
    2.44. Body
    2.55. Closing
    2.66. Signature
    2.7The Difference Between a Formal and Informal Letter
    2.8Formal and Informal letter Writing
3. How to Write An Informal Letter: Informal Letter Examples
4. Informal Letter Topics
5. Test Your Knowledge: Informal Letters
6. Test Your Knowledge: Correct Answers
7. Takeaways from this Page
FAQs


Informal letters are a personal way of communicating with friends, family, or close acquaintances. They offer a unique opportunity to express yourself freely and maintain personal connections through written communication. On this page, you will discover everything you need to know about informal letter writing, informal letter format, and practical tips for writing them effectively. This resource will enhance your writing skills and make your informal correspondence more engaging and meaningful.


Do You Know?

  • Informal letters are a great way to connect with loved ones on a personal level.

  • Unlike formal letters, informal letters allow for a relaxed and conversational style.

  • With the rise of digital communication, the art of writing informal letters is becoming less common.

  • There's no rigid format for informal letters, allowing for creativity.

  • Informal letters can reveal much about the writer's personality and emotions.

  • Handwritten letters can become treasured keepsakes for years to come.

  • Writing letters can be a therapeutic way to express thoughts and feelings.

  • Informal letter-writing customs can differ significantly across cultures.

  • Sharing stories and experiences through letters can strengthen family bonds across generations.

  • With growing concerns about paper consumption, electronic letters offer a more eco-friendly alternative.

Contents of Informal Letter

We'll Discuss the Following Elements


  1. Address

  2. Date

  3. Opening

  4. Body

  5. Closing

  6. Signature


1. Address

Your address is the first thing you write in your letter. It should be placed at the top right corner of the page. This address is important if the receiver wants to write back to you. Always remember to write your postal code and if you are writing the letter abroad then do include the country name as well.


Address Format:

Number and street name

City, state, and postal code

Country


Example:

6b, Elegant Heights, Indira Nagar

Kadavanthra, Kochi- 682020

Kerala

India


2. Date

The date is usually mentioned below your sender's address. The most common format to write the date includes the month, day, and year. The name of the month is capitalised in the date.

Format- DD/MM/YEAR


  • In British English, it is written as- 22nd November 2011 or 22 November 2011 or 22/11/2011

  • In American English, It is written as- November 22nd, 2011 or November 22, 2011, or 11/22/2011


3. Opening

As assumed, the letter has to be preceded by greetings. It is explained below how to greet someone when it comes to informal letters.


This is fairly very casual and is usually not as strict and important as it would be with a business or formal letter. There are still a few points that you should know while addressing or greeting someone in informal letters.


  • Mr Johnson (British English)

  • Mr Johnson (American English)


You can write the title only if the letter is semi-formal or if you wish to show respect to an elder.


If you are on very friendly terms, just use their first name. How you greet your reader is up to you. The examples below showcase some common greetings.


Dear Shrey,

Shrey,

Hi Shrey,`

Remember to put a comma after the name.


4. Body

As it is an informal letter you can start in a casual and friendly way. However, it's important to weigh your language by the person you are writing to. The best way of assessing how you should write is to think about how you would interact with the person you are writing to in real life.


Subjects to Include in the Body

  • Give your reason for writing.

  • Explain briefly the main reason in the first paragraph.

  • Ask about the person you are writing to.

  • Make some concluding remarks.

  • Invite the person to write back.


5. Closing

The closing paragraph should include the sentence in the last few things you would like to tell the reader. Here are certain examples of closing sentences-


Examples of Closing Sentences

  • I am looking forward to seeing you.

  • I can't wait to see you soon.

  • I can't wait to hear from you.

  • I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

  • I hope to hear from you soon.

  • See you soon.

  • Send my love to...

  • I hope you are doing well.

  • Give my regards to…


6. Signature

You can sign off by saying anything of your choice as it's an informal letter yet here are certain examples you can use. You just have to write your name after these.


Examples of Signatures

  • Best wishes,

  • Best,

  • Kindly

  • Kind regards,

  • Best regards,

  • Love,


Examples of an Informal Letter

52, Fig Street, Indira Nagar

Kadavanthra

Kochi

Kerala

11th August 2020


Dear Mill,

Hope you are safe and well-protected from the outbreak of the Virus. It’s been a long time since I wrote to you. Due to the pandemic, I am working from home, So I decided to write to you and know how you have been doing.


Everything is fine here in India and we all stay indoors most of the time as India has growing numbers of active cases of COVID-19. We have reached number three in the world for the active number of cases. It is pretty mundane staying inside all the time but I have stopped complaining and started reading books. It is the best way to utilise time.


How did you manage to complete your exams during the pandemic? My sister just had a baby girl and I am babysitting for her. Once this Pandemic is over I will come and see you.


Hope to hear from you soon.


Love

Sandra


The Difference Between a Formal and Informal Letter

Formal and informal letters have a similar overall structure in the sense that both include addresses, dates, an opening, body content, a closing sentence, and a signature. However, there are some key differences between formal letters and informal letters, which are as follows:


  • Language

Formal letters use more formal and dignified language, whereas informal letters use more casual and simple language.


  • Tone

Formal letters tend to use a more neutral tone because objectivity is important in formal letters. However, informal letters use a more open and emotional tone.


  • Reason for Writing

The biggest difference between formal and informal letters is the reason for writing the letter. Formal letters are written in an official capacity with an official reason. Informal letters, on the other hand, are written for any reason and are written from a personal space rather than an official capacity.


Formal and Informal letter Writing



How to Write An Informal Letter: Informal Letter Examples

1. (Your Address)
(City, State, ZIP Code)
(Date)


Dear (Friend’s Name),

I hope this letter finds you in great spirits and good health. It’s been a while since we last caught up, and I wanted to take a moment to update you on what’s been happening on my end.


Life has been quite eventful lately! I recently started a new job at a marketing agency, and it’s been both exciting and challenging. The team is fantastic, and I’m learning so much every day. We also had a little housewarming party last weekend, and it was wonderful to have everyone over. I missed having those fun gatherings.


How have you been? I heard from (Mutual Friend’s Name) that you recently moved to a new apartment. I’d love to hear all about it! Maybe we could plan a visit soon. I’m looking forward to catching up and hearing about all your latest adventures.


Take care and write back when you can. I’m eagerly awaiting your reply.


Warmest Regards,

(Your Name)


2. (Your Address)
(City, State, ZIP Code)
(Date)


Dear (Family Member’s Name),

I hope this letter brings a smile to your face! I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately and wanted to write to let you know how much I miss you and how things are going here.


Things have been quite busy at work, but I’m managing to balance it with some fun activities. Last weekend, I took a cooking class, and it was a blast! I’ve been experimenting with new recipes, and I’d love to cook for you the next time we’re together. I also recently joined a local book club, and it’s been wonderful to discuss novels and make new friends.


How are things on your end? I hope everyone is doing well. I’d love to hear all about what you’ve been up to and any new updates in the family. Let’s try to set up a video call soon so we can catch up properly.


Sending you lots of love and warm wishes. Looking forward to your reply!


Love,

(Your Name)


Informal Letter Topics

Here are a few informal letter topics you can use for writing to friends, family, or close acquaintances:


  1. Catch-Up with a Friend: Share recent life events, new experiences, and personal updates. Ask about their recent activities and how they have been.

  2. Invitation to an Event: Invite a friend or family member to a special occasion, such as a birthday party, holiday gathering, or a casual get-together.

  3. Holiday Greetings: Write to wish someone a happy holiday or special occasion, like Christmas, New Year, or a personal celebration.

  4. Thank You Note: Express gratitude for a gift, favour, or kind gesture, and describe how much it meant to you.

  5. Travel Update: Share your experiences and adventures from a recent trip or vacation, including interesting places you visited and people you met.

  6. Apology Letter: Apologise for a misunderstanding or mistake, and explain your side of the story. Reassure the recipient of your good intentions and seek to make amends.

  7. Advice Seeking: Ask for advice or guidance on a personal matter, such as choosing a career path, dealing with a situation, or making a decision.

  8. Family News: Update a family member about recent family events, news, and developments, and inquire about their own news.

  9. Sharing a Hobby: Write about a new hobby or interest you've developed and invite them to join you in it or share their own hobbies.

  10. Reflecting on a Shared Experience: Reminisce about a fun or meaningful experience you shared together and express how much it meant to you.


Test Your Knowledge: Informal Letters

1. What is the primary purpose of an informal letter?

a) To make a formal request
b) To communicate with family or friends
c) To provide professional feedback


2. Which of the following is NOT a common component of an informal letter?

a) Salutation
b) Closing
c) Subject line


3. How should you address a friend in an informal letter?

a) Dear (Title) (Last Name),
b) Hello (First Name),
c) To Whom It May Concern,


4. Fill in the blank with the appropriate salutation for an informal letter:

___ (Friend’s Name), I hope you’re doing well.

a) Dear
b) Hi
c) Greetings


5. Which closing is suitable for an informal letter?

a) Sincerely
b) Yours faithfully
c) Best wishes


Test Your Knowledge: Correct Answers

Answer 1: b) To communicate with family or friends

Answer 2: c) Subject line

Answer 3: b) Hello (First Name)

Answer 4: b) Hi

Answer 5: c) Best wishes


Takeaways from this Page

  • Purpose of Informal Letters: Informal letters are meant for personal communication with friends, family, or close acquaintances, focusing on personal updates, friendly conversations, and maintaining relationships.

  • Key Components: Informal letters typically include a friendly salutation, a conversational body, and a warm closing. The tone is casual, and the language is relaxed, reflecting the personal nature of the correspondence.

  • Structure: An informal letter usually starts with a greeting, followed by a body where you share news or updates, and ends with a closing that conveys warmth and affection.

  • Writing Style: Use a casual and conversational tone, avoid formal language, and personalise your message to reflect your relationship with the recipient.

  • Common Elements: Essential elements include a personal greeting, updates on your life, expressions of interest in the recipient’s life, and a friendly sign-off.

FAQs on Informal Letter Writing - Tips, Structure, and Samples

1. What is an informal letter?

An informal letter is a type of letter written to people who you are already close to. It follows the basic conventions of letter-writing, but the tone and language used are more informal and friendly. While informal letters are not used as much in today's day and age, there are still plenty of people who prefer the more personal touch of a physical letter rather than a text message or email. Informal letters can be exchanged between friends, siblings, and other close family members.

2. What is the structure of an informal letter?

An informal letter typically consists of six parts. The first part is the Address. At the very top of the letter, you have to write out your address (that is, the sender's address). After that comes the date and receiver's address. The date is usually mentioned after the sender's address in the format DD/MM/YYYY, that is date/month/year. Then comes the receiver's address. Both sets of addresses need to be written in the following format:


Flat number and street name


City, state, postal code


Country

After the above mentioned things have been written comes the actual letter. You have to start the letter with an opening, usually in the form of "Dear So-and-so," and an introductory sentence explaining the purpose of writing the letter below the greeting. In the body of the letter you can elaborate on the purpose of writing the letter and provide more details. There are no strict rules for this section, but slang should be avoided. Finally, in the last part of the letter, there is the closing sentence, which ends the letter. In this sentence, you can explain that you would like to get a response back from the receiver. The end of the letter includes a signature, in which you write "Best Wishes" or any equivalent phrase and then sign your name below that.

3. When are you supposed to write an informal letter?

An informal letter is written for any number of reasons. The main thing to remember is that formal letters are usually written in some official capacity, while informal letters have no official reasons behind them. For example, let's say that you are part of a student council and you want to write a letter to the principal of your school requesting the use of a classroom for a meeting. That would be a formal occasion, because you're writing in your capacity as a member of the student council to the principal for a formal request. However, if you're writing to a close friend to invite her/him to your birthday party, that would be an informal letter. This is because there is no official reason behind writing the letter; you are simply writing to a friend and asking her/him to come for your birthday.

4. How to write an informal letter?

Writing an informal letter is much easier than writing a formal letter, however, there are still a few things to keep in mind. The first thing to remember is to follow the format given on this page and make sure that the date and addresses are correctly written. For the body of the letter there are no set rules. However, slang and mixing languages should be avoided. If you're writing a letter in English, stick to English for the whole letter. Do not use words or contractions that are not officially recognised by a dictionary. For example, don't write "I was gonna tell you something important." Instead, write "I was going to tell you something important."

5. Where can I find more resources for informal letter writing?

You can find more resources to teach you informal letter writing on Vedantu. If you're browsing on a mobile phone, you can download the Vedantu app to easily find and download resources. Just use the search bar to find study materials for English letter writing. If there are any materials that can be downloaded, you will need to create a Vedantu account before you begin downloading. Apart from using the resources available on Vedantu, you can practise informal letter writing by writing informal letters on different topics. For example, you can write one letter inviting a friend for a birthday party, another telling your cousin about the high grades you got in a test, another letter telling your grandmother about an event you attended, and so on. This will help you hone your letter-writing skills.

6. Can informal letters include humour or personal stories?

Yes, informal letters can include humour, personal stories, and informal language to make the letter more engaging and reflective of your personality.

7. Is it necessary to include a date on an informal letter?

While not required, including the date helps contextualise the letter and provides a reference for when it was written.

8. How should you address someone in an informal letter if you are close friends?

You can use their first name or a nickname if you are close friends, reflecting the informal nature of your communication.

9. What tone should you use in an informal letter?

Use a conversational and relaxed tone, as if you are speaking directly to the recipient. Avoid formal or complex language.

10. Can you include questions in an informal letter?

Yes, asking questions is a great way to engage the recipient and invite them to share their updates and thoughts.

11. How do you handle sensitive informal letter topics?

Approach sensitive topics with care and empathy, using a considerate and respectful tone. Ensure your message is supportive and understanding.

12. What is the role of the salutation in informal letter topics?

The salutation sets the tone for the letter and reflects your relationship with the recipient. It should be friendly and appropriate for your level of familiarity.

13. How long should an informal letter be?

There is no strict length requirement; however, informal letters are typically concise yet detailed enough to convey your message effectively. Aim for a length that feels natural for the content.

14. What should you avoid in an informal letter?

Avoid overly formal language, complex sentence structures, and topics that are too impersonal. The letter should feel genuine and reflective of your personal connection with the recipient.