Help Me and Successful Student
Writing informal letters
SPM SERIES: ENGLISH
By JUGDEEP KAUR
LETTER writing is an important aspect of any writing course. This is because letter writing is a very important activity in our daily lives, be it for business or personal purposes.
In the Malaysian secondary school system, students are taught to write two types of letters – formal letters and informal letters although the latter is a dying art in this age of e-mails and text messages.
Informal letters are easier to write in terms of format, language and tone. These letters are sometimes called social or friendly letters. Examples of informal letters include letters to family members and friends.
Let’s look at some important aspects of an informal letter.
[pic]
In the accepted format, candidates must
· indent paragraphs
· use proper punctuation
· use capitalisation where necessary
For example, the month of the date (10 January 2009), the salutation (Dear Maria)
Under normal circumstances, it is perfectly acceptable to use informal language (e.g. stuff, jam-packed) and contractions (I’ll, won’t) in an informal letter, but this is usually not acceptable in the local examination system.
1. Some useful expressions on how to begin an informal letter
· Thank you for your letter which I received yesterday.
· I was pleasantly surprised to hear from you.
· It was wonderful to hear from you after so long.
· Thank you for your letter. I was pleased to hear that you are in good health.
· It was really nice hearing from you. I am glad that you like your new school.
· I hope this letter finds you in the pink (of health).
· Thank you for the lovely birthday card.
2. Some useful expressions on how to end an informal letter
· I promise to write to you soon.
· I hope you will reply soon.
· Give my best wishes to your parents.
· I am looking forward to seeing you.
· I look forward to hearing from you.
· Do write and tell me how you are progressing.
· Do write soon.
Let us take a look at a
SPM SERIES: ENGLISH
By JUGDEEP KAUR
LETTER writing is an important aspect of any writing course. This is because letter writing is a very important activity in our daily lives, be it for business or personal purposes.
In the Malaysian secondary school system, students are taught to write two types of letters – formal letters and informal letters although the latter is a dying art in this age of e-mails and text messages.
Informal letters are easier to write in terms of format, language and tone. These letters are sometimes called social or friendly letters. Examples of informal letters include letters to family members and friends.
Let’s look at some important aspects of an informal letter.
[pic]
In the accepted format, candidates must
· indent paragraphs
· use proper punctuation
· use capitalisation where necessary
For example, the month of the date (10 January 2009), the salutation (Dear Maria)
Under normal circumstances, it is perfectly acceptable to use informal language (e.g. stuff, jam-packed) and contractions (I’ll, won’t) in an informal letter, but this is usually not acceptable in the local examination system.
1. Some useful expressions on how to begin an informal letter
· Thank you for your letter which I received yesterday.
· I was pleasantly surprised to hear from you.
· It was wonderful to hear from you after so long.
· Thank you for your letter. I was pleased to hear that you are in good health.
· It was really nice hearing from you. I am glad that you like your new school.
· I hope this letter finds you in the pink (of health).
· Thank you for the lovely birthday card.
2. Some useful expressions on how to end an informal letter
· I promise to write to you soon.
· I hope you will reply soon.
· Give my best wishes to your parents.
· I am looking forward to seeing you.
· I look forward to hearing from you.
· Do write and tell me how you are progressing.
· Do write soon.
Let us take a look at a