An informal letter is a type of written communication that is often used to communicate with friends, family, and other acquaintances. It is a less formal type of correspondence than a formal letter and is usually written in a more casual and friendly tone. In this essay, we will look at some samples of informal letters written for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exam and discuss some key features of this type of letter.
One important aspect of informal letter writing is the use of an appropriate tone. As mentioned earlier, informal letters are meant to be friendly and casual, and the tone of the letter should reflect this. This means using a more conversational style of writing and avoiding formal language or jargon. For example, rather than using formal terms like "I hope this letter finds you well," you might say something like "Hey, how's it going?" to start your letter.
Another key feature of informal letters is the use of personal pronouns. In formal letters, it is often more appropriate to use formal terms like "I" or "we" rather than more casual terms like "you" or "me." However, in informal letters, it is more common to use these more personal pronouns to create a sense of intimacy and familiarity. For example, you might say "I'm so glad to hear from you!" rather than "It is a pleasure to receive your letter."
Another aspect to consider when writing an informal letter is the use of contractions. Contractions are shortened forms of words that are created by combining two words and leaving out some letters. For example, "I am" becomes "I'm," and "do not" becomes "don't." Contractions are more commonly used in spoken language and informal writing, and using them can help to create a more casual and conversational tone in your letter.
In addition to the tone and language used in an informal letter, it is also important to pay attention to the structure and layout of the letter. A typical informal letter consists of the following elements:
- The sender's address: This should be placed at the top right-hand corner of the letter.
- The date: This should be placed below the sender's address on the right-hand side of the letter.
- The recipient's address: This should be placed below the date on the left-hand side of the letter.
- The greeting: This should be placed below the recipient's address on the left-hand side of the letter. Some common greetings for informal letters include "Hi," "Hello," and "Dear."
- The body of the letter: This is the main part of the letter and should be written in paragraphs.
- The closing: This is the final part of the letter and should be placed below the body of the letter on the right-hand side. Some common closings for informal letters include "Yours," "Sincerely," and "Best."
Here is an example of an informal letter written for the IGSCSE exam:
Dear [Recipient],
Hi! How are you doing? I hope this letter finds you well. I just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know what's been going on with me lately.
I've been really busy with school and extracurricular activities, but I'm managing to stay on top of everything. I'm also enjoying my classes, especially history and science. Do you have any favorite subjects?
I'm looking forward to the summer break. I'm planning to go on a road trip with some friends and visit some national parks. Have you made any plans for the summer yet?
I hope you're doing well and that we