In our writing workshop we are going to make emphasis on the structure of an informal letter or email.
Read the task below:
You have been given the email address of an English-speaking person who is looking for a contact in your country.
Write an email about you and your family, and suggest meeting at some time in the future.
Write your email in 140-160 words.
A suggested structure for this email can be:
Paragraph 1: Opening remark and reason for writing
Paragraph 2: Information about you
Paragraph 3: Information about your family
Paragraph 4: Suggestions for meeting at some time in the future and closing remarks
Other factors you should consider in an informal letter or email:
The style:
Informal or neutral style
Everyday vocabulary
Colloquial expressions
Phrasal verbs
Contractions
Structure:
Greetings: Dear Lee, Hi Lee, Hi there
Opening remark: I thought I'd write and let you know; I'm writing because; Just a quick note to let you know...; Sorry for not writing earlier but ...; Thank you / Thanks so much for (your letter, having me to say, etc.); It was great to hear from you...
Closing remark: That's all from me for now; I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon;Hope to hear from you soon; Look forward to hearing from you; Write back and tell me what you think about my plan.
Farewell formula: Take care; Best wishes; Bye for now; Lots of love; Regards/ Love to...
Another example of an informal email:
You recently moved to a big city and have decided to write to a friend from your old neighbourhood.
Write an email describing life in your new city and your feelings about the change.
Write your email in 140-160 words.
A suggested structure for this email can be:
Paragraph 1: Opening remark and reason for writing
Paragraph 2: Life in the new city
Paragraph 3: Writer's feelings about the change
Paragraph 4: Closing remarks
One more example of an informal email:
You've got two tickets for a week's cruise in the Mediterranean.
Write a letter/email to your friend, inviting him/her to join you, giving details of which places you are going to visit and suggestions as to what he/she will need to take with him/her.
Information taken from My That's English blog.
