writing an informal email

Writing an informal email or letter

TIPS FOR WRITING AN INFORMAL LETTER/EMAIL

• Divide your letter into at least three paragraphs:1. The introduction2. The body3. The conclusion

INTRODUCTIONHow to start an email / letter

here

• DATE Put your address and the date in the top right-hand corner (but NOT your name). If it’s an email, don’t put your address or the date.

• GREETING Begin Dear Jane NOT Hello. Use a comma (,) NOT a colon(:). If it’s an email, you can begin Hi + name, or simply Hi/Hello.

Opening Expressions

• How are you?• How have you been?• How’s everything going?• I was glad to hear from you

Reason one is writing

• I am writing because …• The reason I am writing is because …• I wanted to …• I would like to …

Opening Expressions when we answer an email / letter

• Thanks for you email / letter• It was great to hear from you• It was so nice to hear from you• Sorry for not writing earlier

Responding to news

• Sorry to hear about…• Glad to hear that you’re all well• Good luck with …• Hope you feel better soon

BODY

Talk about the main subject and expand with details about the reason of writing the email

Asking for something

• Can you please…?• Is it ok if you …?• I want to …• Would you mind …?• I was wondering if…

CONCLUSION

Final paragraph Show that you are going to end the letter by using a finishing sentence.

Closing expressions

• Anyway, / Well that’s all for now• Hope to hear from you soon / Looking forward

to hearing from you soon• Send my regards (love) to…• Take care• Stay in touch / Keep in touch

• CLOSING At the very end, just before the SIGNATURE, put:– Best wishes– Regards

• If it’s a close friend:– Love – (Lots of) love from…

• If you have forgotten something, add it at the end with PS.PS Please send me the photos of our last trip

Remember!

1. Date2. Greeting3. Introduction4. Body5. Final paragraph6. Closing7. Signature

Use informal language (usually writing to family and friends)

• Contractions• Colloquial Expressions• Abbreviations• Simple, short sentences• Simple linkers, e.g. then, later • Slang• Exclamation marks (!)