Informal Letter Format in English for Students

Hey there! Let's talk about informal letters. These letters are like chatting with your friends or family on paper. You write them to share what's happening in your life and to send your love and best wishes. Informal letters are all about being relaxed and friendly.

You'd typically write an informal letter to someone you're close to, like a family member, a close friend, or someone you know well. The words you use are like the ones you use when you're talking casually.

The best part about informal letters is that you can write about anything! Seriously, anything you want to share. It could be about winning a competition, a cool movie you just watched, or even plans for an upcoming trip. You can also use them to ask how your friends or family are doing, invite them to join you on an adventure, congratulate them on a new job, or just say hello.

The cool thing is you can make it super personal. It's like having a friendly chat on paper. You can even use words and phrases that you'd say when talking to them in person. Unlike formal letters, you don't need to follow strict rules or write about specific stuff.

There's still a format to follow when writing an informal letter in English. Even though it's laid-back, it's good to start with a friendly greeting, share your news or thoughts, and wrap it up warmly. You can use expressions that make it sound like you're talking face-to-face, making it feel cozy and personal.

So, next time you want to share your stories, and thoughts, or just catch up with someone you care about, try writing an informal letter. It's like having a friendly conversation in writing!

How to Write an Informal Letter?

Here are the steps to write an informal letter.

1. Salutation

When you write informal letters to your friends and family, you can make them feel special by addressing them in a friendly way. You can use their names with sweet words like "Dear," "My dear," or "Dearest." For instance, you can say "Dear Shubhi" or "My dear Honey."

If you and your friend have cute nicknames for each other, you can use those too. Like "Dearest Rose" or "Dear Shubhi." Sometimes, you can also use their relationship with you, like "Dear Uncle," "Dearest Grandma," or "My dear Cousin."

But, here's the thing, if you're writing to a friend who's older than you or has a higher position than you, it's polite to use titles like Mr., Mrs., or Ms. For example, "Dear Mr. Jain."

So, in informal letters, you have the freedom to choose how to address your friends and family. You can use their names, nicknames, or even titles, depending on your relationship and the level of respect you want to show. It's all about making your letter feel personal and warm.

2. Introduction/ Body of the letter

When you write an informal letter, the words you use at the beginning help show what kind of letter it is. You can start by introducing yourself and setting the mood for your letter. It's like giving your friend a hint about what's coming. You can begin by asking how they are doing, like saying, "I hope this letter finds you feeling great."

After that, you can explain why you're writing. You can go into as much detail as you want because informal letters are relaxed and friendly. Unlike formal letters that have to be super proper, informal letters can be more like a casual chat with a friend. You can write in a personal and friendly tone.

But remember, if you're writing to someone older or in a more respected position, it's important to be polite and not use rude words or sentences. Being respectful is always a good idea.

3. Conclusion

When you finish an informal letter, it's like saying goodbye to a friend after a great conversation. You want the person reading it to feel happy and looking forward to hearing from you again. To do this, end your letter on a friendly note.

You can use warm and kind words to wrap things up. For example, you can say something like, "Take care and stay well," or "Wishing you lots of happiness and laughter." These words show that you care about the person and want them to be happy.

Also, make sure you let them know that you're excited to hear back from them. You can say, "I can't wait to hear from you soon," or "Looking forward to your response." This way, they know you're eager to continue your friendly chat.

Ending your informal letter this way makes the person feel special and valued. It's like giving them a warm hug through your words. So, always wrap up your letter with a friendly and positive tone, and express your enthusiasm for their response. It's a great way to leave a lasting impression and keep the conversation going!

4. Signature

In informal letters, there's no strict rule for how to say goodbye. You have the freedom to choose a closing that feels just right for your letter. Here are some friendly phrases that people often use:

"Lots of Love"

"Best"

"Best Wishes"

"Kind Regards"

"Kindly"

You can pick the one that fits the situation and your relationship with the person you're writing to. It's like choosing the perfect ending for your story.

After you've chosen your closing phrase, just write your name below it. This is your way of saying, "This letter is from me to you."

Informal Letter to a Friend

While there's no strict format for informal letters, there's a general pattern that most people tend to follow. This pattern, along with some helpful tips, can make your informal letters more effective and engaging. These are guidelines to follow when you're writing a letter, but remember, they aren't strict rules.

Address

The first step is to write your address, which is where you live (the sender's address). Put it on the left-hand side at the very top of the page. Make sure your address is accurate and complete.

Even if you're writing to friends or family, include your address so they can easily write back to you. If the person you're writing to lives in another country, don't forget to include your country in the address. This way, your letter will reach the right place, and you'll be all set for a friendly chat!

Date

Right below the address, you should write the date in your informal letter. This helps the reader know when you wrote the letter, making it easier to understand what's inside. It's like a timestamp for your letter, so the person can connect with what you're saying. It's a good idea to write the date in the full, expanded form (like "October 6, 2023") to make it clear and easy to read. This way, your friend or family member can follow your letter and know exactly when you sent your warm greetings or shared your news.

Greeting

Now that you know the person you're writing to, your greeting can be informal. For friends or those close in age, you can use their first name, like "Dear Aashi." If it's a family member like your mom or dad, you can simply say, "Dear Mom" or "Dear Dad."

But, if you're writing to someone older and you want to show respect, you can use titles like Mr. or Mrs. For instance, if you're congratulating your teacher, you can say, "Dear Mrs. Aashi."

Your greeting sets the tone for your letter, so choose what feels right for your relationship with the person you're writing to. It's a friendly start to your informal letter.

Introductory Paragraph

Now, let's get to the main part of your letter! The first paragraph is important because it sets the mood for the whole letter. You can start by asking how the person is doing or expressing your hope that they are feeling well and happy.

In informal letters, it's important to keep the beginning friendly and relaxed. It's not like formal business letters that are very straight to the point. Instead, it should feel like you're having a cozy chat with a friend. So, keep it casual and comforting to make the person feel at ease and ready for a friendly conversation.

Body of the Letter

Your entire letter should have a friendly tone, but the way you write it depends on who you're addressing. With a friend, you can be super casual and even playful. But if it's an older relative, you should show much respect and thoughtfulness.

A great way to figure out the right tone is to think about how you talk to that person when you're chatting with them. Then, use a similar style and feelings in your letter. This way, your letter feels like a natural extension of your conversation, making it comfortable and enjoyable for the person reading it. So, let your words reflect your relationship and the way you usually talk to each other.

Conclusion

In the final paragraph of your letter, wrap things up nicely. Summarize why you wrote the letter, like reminding them about the exciting news you shared or the fun stories you told. Then, say a warm and heartfelt goodbye.

But here's the special part: don't forget to invite the person to write back to you. It's like saying, "I'd love to hear from you soon!" This shows that you want to keep the conversation going and stay connected.

So, in your conclusion, make it meaningful and affectionate, and extend an open invitation for them to respond. It's a lovely way to end your informal letter and keep the friendship alive through letters.

How do you write a signature in an informal letter?

There is no defined way to sign off. So you can sign off the way you want. You can use ways like - Lots of Love, Best, Best Wishes.

Here is a sample of Letter to a Friend

Write a letter to a friend inviting him for a get-together and planning to meet up for the coming weekend.

Informal Letter for Class 8

A sample of Informal letters for class 8 is given below:

1. Write a letter to your younger brother about the Importance of the Value of Time.

2. Letter to father asking for money for the purchase of books and to meet other expenses.

Write a letter to your neighbor about the nuisance caused by his dog.

4. Write a letter to your friend consoling him at the death of his father.

5. Write a letter to your penfriend describing the last prize-giving ceremony at your school.

Informal Letter for Class 9

A sample of the Informal letter for class 9 is given below:

1. You are Saif. Write a letter to your friend describing your boarding school in about 120-150 words.

There is a yearly fair in the nearest town from the residence of your friend Kartik. He is living in a village with his/her parents. His/her parents want to see this fair, but your friend Kartik is busy in preparation for the coming exam. Write a letter to your friend advising him/her to accompany their parents to any fair. You are Raj resident of Janaki Nagar Meerut

3. Your cousin is a brilliant student but he is not keeping good health because he avoids homemade food and is very fond of eating outside. Write a letter telling him/her about the harmful effects of junk food and advising him/her to maintain good health in not more than 100 words. You are Jasmine of C-8, Lawrence Road, New Delhi.

Informal Letter for Class 10

A sample of the Informal letter for class 9 is given below:

1. You are Aaliya. Write a letter to your friend congratulating him on his new job offer in about 120-150 words. He just graduated from college.

2. You are on a week-long school trip to Kasauli. Write a letter to your mother, sharing your well-being and what you have experienced so far.   

 Your uncle sent you a gift to congratulate you for topping the district in the 10th Board exams. Write a letter to him, thanking him for the gift.

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