Now the world is gaining more and more popularity in learning foreign languages. And it's not just a broad outlook and communication. It's about getting a profession and choosing a well-paid job. Informal letter is an essential part of the English language. So let's get to know her better.
Informal letter
Translated means "informal letter", in other words, a letter that you wrote in simple words, not particularly bothering with the design and culture of expressing thoughts. In this article, we will try to consider in detail what an informal letter to friend is, an example of such a letter, as well as a few set phrases and expressions that you can freely use. Let's go!
Some general information
Speaking of the example of an informal letter, we should note that such a letter is usually written to a friend or acquaintance, one way or another, a person,whom you know well and with whom you communicate freely. In fact, the most common area where writing a structured informal letter is required is a variety of English writing exams: from the OGE, which students take in grade 9, and ending with international exams for admission to foreign universities or to confirm their level of a foreign language.
Structure
The structure of such a letter is as follows:
1. In the upper right corner, the address is written separated by commas, starting with a small one (home) and ending with a large one (country);
2. Date is written on the line below
3. Then, very importantly, one line is skipped! After that, the letter itself begins with the red line of the next line.
4. Address in the format "Dear, (name of addressee)".
5. Then again, from a new line, from the red line, we write an introduction containing gratitude for the received letter and apologies for the long wait for an answer. We also mention the subject of your letter there.
6. From a new line we write the main part.
7. From a new line, the conclusion, which, according to the rules, should contain several questions for your interlocutor, but if you want, you can skip and write the conclusion without questions (although, this is a personal letter, so most likely you will still have questions).
8. With a new line, we apologize that it's time for us to go.
9. With a new line, a special phrase, which will be discussed later.
10. And the last new line is the signature (yourname).
It is from these ten points that any informal letter to friend consists. We will consider an example of an informal letter with a translation a little later, but for now we will find out what set phrases and phrases are usually used when writing an informal letter.
Linking words & phrases
There are quite a lot of important and useful words and phrases for writing an informal letter in English, so we will divide them into several groups:
- expressions for introduction;
- introductory words and phrases for the main part;
- phraseological units for the conclusion.
Introduction
- Thank you for your letter.
- Your last letter was a real surprise.
- I was glad to get your letter.
- It was great to hear from you! / I was happy to hear…
Optional, as previously mentioned, you can apologize for waiting so long for your response and do so with the following expressions:
- Sorry I haven’t written for so long but …/ Sorry I haven’t been in touch for so long.
- I’m sorry I haven’t answered earlier but I was really busy with…
Main part
Here is the flight of your imagination, ideally divided into 2-3 paragraphs. Dilute it with introductory words and set phrases:
- Well, …
- From my point of view, … / To my mind, … (from my point of view).
- As I know… (as I know).
- Do you know that…? (do you know what…?).
- Youknow, … (you know…).
- Look, …
- By the way, … (by the way).
- anyway (any way).
- so/therefore (so/therefore).
- Nevertheless (still).
- Besides… (besides).
- Unfortunately/Fortunately, … (Unfortunately/Fortunately…).
Conclusion
Practically the last paragraph of our letter should contain questions and a reason why we need to go. Of course, with apologies.
- Well, I’d better go, because unfortunately, I have to do my homework.
- Anyway, I have to go now because my mom has already called me.
- Sorry, I will leave you for a while. My favorite TV show is about to begin.
As we remember, the next line should contain the traditional final phrase. It can be:
- Drop me a line as soon as you can!
- Write me!
- Hope to listen from you soon.
- Love, (name).
- Sincerely yours, (name).
- Let's keep in touch!
- Can't wait to see you!
- Best wishes, (name).
- Hope to see you soon!
So we sorted out the structure of a traditional informal letter for, relatively speaking, a friend. Now it's up to the small - to show a ready-made example of informal letter to friend.
An example
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
7/12/2017
Dear Ben, Thank you for your letter! Sorry for not writing for so long, I was really busy with my exams. You asked me about my school projects.
Well, for sure I have some quite interesting projects at school. Usually, a teacher asks me to make reports once a two or three weeks, so this is a normal practice. Of course, it is an enjoyable process from time to time, and I truly appreciate this experience. As you know, I participate in the school theater meetings and rehearsals, so making oral presentations is not such a complicated issue for me. But, you can easily guess that writing reports is much easier. You are allowed not to hurry and think about the topic. You have not to learn your report by heart - moreover, just give it to a teacher and forget for some time about it! You know this is really cool. But anyway this is quite a controversial issue as so as you remember how I appreciate memorizing new information. In fact, this is much more useful for the further study. But anyway I prefer writing my projects.
It's really amazing to hear your brother's news! Tell me more about it. How does he do? Is he going to visit you in the nearest future? And you?
Oh, sorry, I should go. My mom asked me to wash dishes. Write me as soon as you can!
Best wishes, Daria.
Translation
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia7/12/2017
Dear Ben, Thank you for your letter! Sorry for not writing for so long. I was very busy with my exams. You asked me about my school projects.
Well, I must have had some pretty interesting projects at school. Usually the teacher asks me to give reports every two or three weeks, so thisnormal practice. Of course, at times it's a really pleasurable process, and I really appreciate the experience. As you know, I participate in rehearsals and meetings of our school theater, so public speaking presentations are not such a problem for me. But it won't be difficult for you to guess that it is much easier to make written reports. You can take your time and think about the topic. Moreover, you do not need to memorize your report - just give it to the teacher and forget about it for a while! You know, it's really cool. But in any case, this is a rather controversial issue, because you remember how much I appreciate the memorization of new information. In fact, it is much more useful for further learning. But anyway, I prefer writing.
So cool to hear the news about your brother! Tell me more about it. How is he? Is he going to visit you soon? And you him?
Oh, I'm sorry, I have to run. Mom asked me to wash the dishes. Text me as soon as you can!
All the best, Daria.
Actually, this is what an informal letter looks like to a friend or person with whom you have free communication. Please note that if you are writing such a letter as part of any assignment, then you must adhere to the established time limit for the number of words, otherwise your work will not be credited.
In fact, there is a wide variety of written works in the English language. Essay, letter, note, email - each of them has its own requirements and limitations, so be careful! But worth itnote that, for example, informal letters, emails have almost the same spelling. We will not give examples of informal electronic messages, we will only say that their structure and the structure of informal letters are almost the same.
Conclusion
So we looked at the structure of writing informal letter and an example of informal letter in English. In conclusion, we will only say that in order to compose such letters, in fact, as well as for other written and oral works in the English language, a wide vocabulary and the ability to easily and freely appeal not only with introductory words, but also with a wide range of grammatical constructions, which loves so much this language. Learn English and remember the famous TED talks motto: "Stay hungry. Stay foolish. Stay tuned."
