INFORMAL LETTERS

Informal letters are social or friendly letters. They are usually written to people we know personally, for example members of our family, relatives, friends or pen friends.

The Format

Salutation

68C, Lorong Satu, Taman Bahagia 2, 77000 Jasin, Melaka. 1st March 2010.

Dear Farah, It was indeed a wonderful surprise to hear from you again. _______________________________________________________________________.

________________________________________________________________________________________________.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________.

Do write to me again after your examinations. Until then, good luck in the exam!

Your friend, Saliza

Writer’s / Sender’s Address

Date

Opening remarks

The contents

Closing remarks

Ending Signature

1. The address a. The writer’s address is usually written at the top right hand corner.b. There is a comma (,) after each line.c. There is a full stop (.) at the end of the address.d. You can include the name of your state (Melaka) if you are writing to

someone in another state (Pahang).e. Include the name of your country (Malaysia) if you are writing to someone

overseas eg. India.

2. The date a. Write the date below the address.b. Use the correct English spelling of the month.c. When replying to a letter given, your date should be a few days after that

of the letter given.d. There are different ways of writing the date.

1st March 2010.1st March 2010.March 1, 2010.

3. The greeting/ salutation a. The greeting or salutation is written one line below the date, on the left

hand of the page ended by the comma (,).b. The salutation used depends on how close you are to the person you are

writing to(i) Dear ……….. is most often used and always correct. You can use it for

anyone, from your mother to a new pen-pal.(ii) My dear……. is used if you have a close relationship with someone,

like your family or best friend.(iii) Dearest and My dearest………are usually used only for people you

love.

4. The ending a. The ending is written below the closing remarks on the right hand side of

the page.b. The ending depends on whom you are writing to.

(i) When writing to a family member or a relative you can end with:Yours affectionately, Yours lovingly,Your son,

(ii) When writing to friends or pen-pals you should end with:Yours sincerely,

c. Your name or signature is written below the ending.

MODEL SENTENCES FOR INFORMAL LETTERS

Opening Remarks

1. How are you? I hope you are in the pink of health.2. Thank you for your interesting letter.3. I received your letter yesterday/ a few days ago.4. What a surprise! It’s really good to hear from you.5. How is everyone in the family? Well, I hope.6. I am really glad to hear from you.7. How are you? I am sorry I couldn’t write earlier.8. This letter will probably come as a surprise to you.9. What a pleasant surprise it was hear from you after such a long time.

Extending Invitations

1. Would you like to join me on a trip to Pantai Remis?2. How about coming over to my place next weekend?3. I would like to invite you to my brother’s wedding that will take place on the

16th of August.4. My friends and I are planning to go camping during the holidays. Why don’t

you come along?5. If you have not made any plans for the holidays, perhaps you would like to

join us on a trip to Cameron Highlands.

Responding to Invitations/ Accepting Invitations

1. I’d be glad to join you and your friends on the trip.2. I’d love to come over to your house.3. Thank you for your invitation. I’d be glad to come to your birthday party.4. Of course I would love to attend your brother’s weeding. Thank you for

inviting me.

Declining Invitations

1. Thanks for your invitation. However, I am sorry I will have to turn it down as I have already promise my father that I’d join him on a fishing trip.

2. Although I’d love to join you, I am sorry to say that I will not be able to make it.

3. I am sorry to inform you that I will not be able to attend your sister’s wedding.

Giving information

1. I would like to inform you that I have just been offered a scholarship.2. Didn’t you hear the good news? I got the Best Student Award for my PMR

exam result.3. You are not going to believe what I am going to tell you. I have just been

informed that I won the first prize in a slogan-writing contest.4. I had a most terrifying experience last Monday while I was on my way to

school.5. I am sure that you’d be glad to know that I have passed my PMR exam.6. Did you know that Jasin Supermarket is having a sale?

Giving advice

1. If you ask me, I will advise you to accept the offer.2. I really think you should give up your part-time job and concentrate on your

studies.3. If I were you, I will discuss the matter with my parents first, before making a

decision.4. I think you should think carefully before you decide what to do.5. Apply for the scholarship, there is no harm in trying.

Offering Apologies

1. I am sorry for not replying your previous letter.2. I did not mean to offend you in anyway. Please accept my apology.3. Please forgive me for not informing you earlier.4. I apologize for not keeping in touch with you.

Offering Congratulations

1. Congratulations! You truly deserve the Best Student Award.2. I would like to congratulate you on your recent success in your examination.3. I heard that you passed your exams with flying colours. Please accept my

congratulations.4. Well done! I am sure your parents must be very proud of you.

Offering Condolences and Sympathy

1. I am sorry to hear about the accident.2. I know how you must be feeling now. You have my sympathy.3. What a dreadful thing to happen! I am sure you must still be in a state of

shock and disbelief.4. My parents join me in sending you our deepest condolences.

To express Appreciation/ Gratitude

1. Thank you for your advice.2. It was really thoughtful of you to help us in our time of need.3. How kind of you to think about us!4. I truly appreciate your kindness.

Closing remarks

1. That will be all for now. I shall write again when I have the time.2. Please convey my warmest regards to your family.3. Best wishes to you and your family.4. Please give my love to Grandma.5. Good luck in your coming examination.6. Do write soon.7. I hope to hear from you soon.8. Do write again when you have the time.

MODEL PMR QUESTION

Your friend who scored 8A’s in the PMR examination has been offered a place to study in a residential school. However, he is undecided whether or not to accept the offer. Write a letter to him. In your letter you should:

Congratulate your friend on his success Ask him to accept the offer Give your reasons

When writing the letter:

Use all the points Elaborate on the notes Make sure it is not less than 120 words.

MODEL ANSWER 16, Jalan Sinaran, Taman Jaya Bakti,

77000 Jasin, Melaka.

16th February 2010.

Dear Shaiful,

Congratulations on your success in the recent PMR examination. I always knew that you were an outstanding student. I am sure your parents are really proud of you.

In your last letter, you told me that you were undecided whether or not to accept the offer to study in a residential school. If I were you, I will definitely accept the offer. I would not have second thoughts about my decision. In the first place, this will provide you with an excellent opportunity like this. Only students who excel in their studies are offered places in residential schools. Thus, competition is stiff and this will spur you on to achieve better result.

Of course, studying in a residential school would mean that you would have to leave home and stay in the hostel. If given a choice, I would prefer to stay in hostel. Instead of staying at home and being pampered by the rest of the family, you will learn to be independent. Learning to live with people of different backgrounds can be fun.

Anyway, you have till the end of this month to make a decision. Discuss it with your parents. Weigh all the pros and cons before you decide. Please convey my warmest regards to your parents.

Your friend,Azahar