INFORMAL LETTER WRITING

WHAT IS IMPORTANT?
STRUCTURE
CONTENTS AND PARAGRAPHING
LANGUAGE AND STYLE
PUNCTUATION

Informal letters are sent to people you know well(e.g. friends, relatives, etc.)
They are written in an informal style with a chatty, personal tone

Types of an informal letter
A letter of apology (письмо с извинениями)
A letter of invitation (письмо-приглашение)
A letter of request (письмо-просьба)
A thank-you letter (благодарственное письмо)
A letter congratulating someone (письмо-поздравление)

STRUCTURE
An informal letter should consist of:
an informal greeting
an introduction in which you write your opening remarks and mention your reason for writing
a main body in which you write the main subject of the letter in detail, starting a new paragraph for each topic
a conclusion in which you write your closing remarks
an informal ending + your first name

1
2
3
5
6
7
4
8

Your address
Date
Salutation
Introduction (“Thank you”) paragraph
Conclusion
Complimentary close
Your name
BODY OF THE LETTER

ADDRESS
Your Street,
Your town,
Your Country,
Postcode
You write your address in the top right-hand corner.

DATE
There are different ways of writing the date:
October 22, 2011
October 22d, 2011
22 October, 2011
22d October, 2011
!
You write the date under the adress.

SALUTATION

INTRODUCTION
Thanks for…
Many thanks for…
How nice of you to…
I was awfully glad to…
Sorry for not writing…
I really should have written sooner

LINKING WORDS
Even though
How ever
Although
Moreover
Nevertheless
To add to all
Unfortunately
Besides
Especially

DON’T FORGET
Short forms (e.g. I’ve, I’d, there’s)
Everyday vocabulary
Colloqual expressions/idioms
Phrasal verbs

A COMMON ENDING
I’ll write you soon.
Sorry, but I have to finish my letter ‘cause…
Looking forward to seeing you…
Hope to hear from you soon…
Please write back as soon as you can

COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE
I love you so much,
Lots of love,
Much love,
Best wishes,
All the best,
Yours,
!

… In Great Britain most young people want to become independent from their parents as soon as possible. Could you tell me what you and your friends think about not relying on your parents? Are you ready to leave your family immediately after you finish school? Is it easy to rent a house or an apartment for students in Russia?
As for the latest news, I have just returned from a trip to Scotland…
Write a letter to Tom.
In your letter
Answer his questions
Ask 3 questions about his trip to Scotland