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Informal E-Mail/Letter: Asking For A Reply Let Me Know If You Can Come. Tell Me If You're Coming or Not

The document provides guidance on writing an informal email or letter in English. It recommends beginning with an introduction paragraph that greets the recipient and mentions a recent communication or shared experience. The second paragraph should provide specific details on a topic and can ask questions. The third paragraph changes topics using linking expressions. The closing paragraph ends the letter and mentions plans to communicate again. Sample phrases are given for each section and the document concludes with a checklist for writing informal letters.

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51 views

Informal E-Mail/Letter: Asking For A Reply Let Me Know If You Can Come. Tell Me If You're Coming or Not

The document provides guidance on writing an informal email or letter in English. It recommends beginning with an introduction paragraph that greets the recipient and mentions a recent communication or shared experience. The second paragraph should provide specific details on a topic and can ask questions. The third paragraph changes topics using linking expressions. The closing paragraph ends the letter and mentions plans to communicate again. Sample phrases are given for each section and the document concludes with a checklist for writing informal letters.

Uploaded by

Maja Radojevic
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INFORMAL E-MAIL/LETTER

YOU START WITH PARAGRAPH 1- INTRODUCTION


In the introduction you :
– need to use a first name, invent it if it’s not given. Don’t write Dear friend
– start with a fixed phrase showing the situation with the reader
– mention an email or letter you have received from the person you’re writing to or refer to a shared
experience or add a general comment
– say what you’ve been doing recently
 
Phrases you can use in the introduction:
* Many thanks for your letter (- it was really nice to hear from you again)
* I thought I’d better write (and give you some more details about)
* It’s been such a long time since we wrote to each other
* I thought I’d drop you a line…
* How are you and your family?
* How are things with you?
* How was (your holiday)
IN THE 2ND PARAGRAPH YOU :
– add some specific details to include in each paragraph- this will make your letter more interesting.
– ask a question directly
– use some exclamation marks (but not too many) to express emotions.
– use contractions
Phrases you can use to introduce the topic in the 2nd paragraph:
* I know you’re longing to hear all about (my holiday)
* You remember I told you in my last letter (that I was going to…)
IN THE 3RD PARAGRAPH YOU :
– start a new paragraph, as the topic has changed slightly. Use an informal linking expressions.
– use a range of appropriate vocabulary and informal expressions
IN THE LAST PARAGRAPH YOU :
– can use short sentences
– when you close make an excuse to finish and/or refer to the current situation with the reader again
– make sure you finish with an informal phrase
– mention the next time you will see the person you are writing to
PHRASES YOU CAN USE TO END THE EMAIL/ LETTER
* Once again, ( thanks very much for all your help)
* Give my love/ regards to ( your family)
* Please write/ drop me a line soon.
* I look forward to (meeting up again soon)
* Don’t write Yours sincerely, but rather write: Love. All the best, Best wishes 
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS informal writing
*Starting Dear … / Hi! / Hello
*Refer to a previous letter / email  Thanks for your … / Great to hear from you again.  Thanks for sending
me
*Introducing news The big news is / Did I tell you that … ?/ I can’t wail!/ Guess what?
*Linkers Anyway / But/Apparently / Maybe / By the way/ Unfortunately/ Clearly / Naturally / In fact / To
be honest / Before I forget / Incidentally / /All the same / Even so / However
*Enclose (with a letter) / Attach (with an email)I’ve attached / enclosed a …
*Inviting Will you be able to come? Can you come? I want to invite you to …
Asking for a reply Let me know if you can come. Tell me if you’re coming or not.
1
Making arrangements I’m available/free on .. When are you available/free? Let’s go together. If you’re
interested in .• Let me know which … suit(s) you.
Asking for favours Could you call them/let me know/find out …? Could you do me a favour and  …? I don’t
suppose you could … for me?
Asking for additional information Do we need to have a membership card to….? Have you enrolled in …? I
was wondering if/whether… You don’t happen to know when/where/if … do you?
Ending I need to go now … Bye for now / Best wishes / Write soon
Informal Letter Writing Checklist
Here are some questions you should ask yourself when trying to write an informal IELTS letter.

1. Have I read and thought about the instructions carefully?


2. Am I sure that this is an informal letter?
3. Have I done a plan?
4. Have I covered both the reason for writing and the 3 bullet points?
5. Have I supported each bullet point with relevant details?
6. Have I used informal language?
7. Have I used paragraphing correctly?
8. Are my ideas easy to understand?
9. Have I avoided copying the word in the question and varied my vocabulary?
10. Have I checked my letter for grammar and spelling mistakes?

Band 9 Sample Informal Letter


You have recently started work in a new company. Write a letter to an English-speaking friend. In
your letter

 explain why you changed job, describe your new job, tell him/her your other news

Dear Tom

*I’m just writing to let you know I quit my old job and found something new.*I was really fed up with being
a brain surgeon because it wasn’t really much of a challenge anymore. You know me; if I’m not learning
new tricks, I get bored too easily and have to find something new.*I’m now teaching English as a foreign
language in Vietnam and it suits me down to the ground. I teach two adult classes and a kindergarten class,
which is not only challenging but also rewarding too. Can you believe it?*I also have some other amazing
news- I’m getting married. She was one of my first ever students and I guess it was love at first sight for
both of us. Make sure you keep the first weekend in July free, so you can come and celebrate with us.

Keep in touch

Chris

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