Now in the world, the study of foreign languages is gaining popularity. And the matter is not only in broad outlook and communication. The point is 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 expression of thoughts. In this article we will try to consider in detail what is an informal letter to friend, an example of such a letter, as well as several stable phrases and expressions that you can freely use. Go!
Some general information
Speaking about 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, to a person whom you know well and who you freely communicate with. In fact, the most common area where structured informal writing is required is the variety of English writing exams: starting 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 with a comma, starting with the small (home) and ending with the large (country);
2. On the line below is written date
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. Next, again from a new line with a red line, we write an introduction containing gratitude for the letter received and apologies for the long wait for an answer. We also mention the subject of your letter.
6. From the new line we write the main part.
7. From a new line, a conclusion, which according to the rules should contain several questions to your interlocutor, but if you want, you can skip and write a conclusion without questions (although this is a personal letter, so most likely you will still have questions) .
8. We apologize from the new line that we should go now.
9. On a new line, a special phrase, which will be discussed later.
10. And the last new line is the signature (your name).
It is from these ten points that any informal letter to friend consists. An example of an informal letter with a translation will be considered a bit later, but for now we will find out what stable phrases and phrases are usually used when writing an informal letter.
Linking words & phrases
There are a lot of important and useful words and phrases for writing an informal letter in the English language, so we will divide them into several groups:
- expression for introduction;
- introductory words and phrases for the main part;
- phraseological units for 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 ...
Optionally, as mentioned earlier, you can apologize for waiting so long for your reply and do this with the following expressions:
- Sorry I haven't been 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
There is already a flight of your imagination, ideally divided into 2-3 paragraphs. Dilute it with introductory words and strong 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 that...?).
- You know, ... (you know ...).
- Look, ...
- By the way, ... (by the way).
- anyway (anyway).
- so / therefore (so / therefore).
- Nevertheless (nonetheless).
- Besides ... (besides).
- Unfortunately / Fortunately, ... (Unfortunately / Fortunately ...).
Conclusion
Almost the last paragraph of our letter should contain questions and the reason why we need to go. Of course, with an apology.
- 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 recall, the next line should contain the traditional ending phrase. It can become:
- 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 traditional informal writing for, relatively speaking, a friend. Now it's up to you to show a ready-made example informal letter to friend.
An example
Nizhny Novgorod,
Russia
12/12/2017
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 askes 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. Moreover, you have not to learn your report by heart - 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 studying. 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
Transfer
Nizhny Novgorod,
Russia
12/12/2017
Dear Ben
Thank you for your letter! Sorry I didn't write for so long. I was very busy with exams. You asked me about my school projects.
Well, I probably had some pretty interesting projects at school. Usually the teacher asks me to give reports every two to three weeks, so this is normal practice. Of course, from time to time this is really a fun process, and I really appreciate that experience. As you know, I participate in rehearsals and meetings of our school theater, so oratorical presentations are not such a difficult problem for me. But it’s easy for you to guess that making written reports is much easier. You can take your time and think about the topic. Moreover, you do not need to learn your report by heart - just give it to the teacher and forget about it for a while! You know, this is really cool. But in any case, this is a rather controversial issue, because you remember how I appreciate the memorization of new information. In fact, it is much more useful for further training. But be that as it may, I prefer written work.
So cool to hear the news about your brother! Tell me more about this. Like he? Going to visit you soon? And you him?
Oh, sorry, I have to run. Mom asked to wash the dishes. Write me as soon as you can!
All the best,
Daria.
Actually, this is exactly what an informal letter looks like to a friend or person with whom you have free communication. Please note that if you write such a letter as part of any assignment, then you should adhere to the established rules for the number of words, otherwise your work will not be counted.
In fact, there is a wide variety of written works in English. An essay, letter, note, email - each of them has its own requirements and limitations, so be careful! But, it is worth noting 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 practically the same.
Conclusion
So we have examined with you the structure of writing informal letter and an example of informal letter in English. In conclusion, we only say that to compose such letters here, in fact, as well as for other written and oral works in the English language, a wide vocabulary is required and the ability to easily and freely appeal not only with introductory words, but also with a wide range of grammatical constructions, which he loves so much this language. Learn English and remember the famous motto "TED talks": "Stay hungry. Stay foolish. Stay tuned."