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.
- 1.1Introduction
- 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
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.
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.