Compose informal letters on varied topics using appropriate format
LETTER WRITING
There are three types
a. Informal letters
b. Semi-formal letters
c. Formal letters
INFORMAL /FRIENDLY /UNOFFICIAL LETTERS
This type of letter is written to friends, peers or our mates who may be it in or outside the country.
It is simply a conversation on chatting on paper.
THE FORMAT OF AN INFORMAL LETTER
i. Address and date of the writer.
ii. Salutation
iii. Introduction
iv. body
v. Conclusion
vi. Subscription
Let us talk about the format above briefly and simply.
1. The Address and Date of the Writer
The address and date are written at the top right corner of the page either straight or indented (slanted) not forgetting the full-stop at the end. We usually use small letters.
Straight Form
Newtown Junior High School,
PO Box 70,
Prampram-Accra.
10th May, 2011.
Indented Form
Newtown Junior High School,
P. O BOX 70,
Prampram- Accra.
10th May, 2011.
NOTE: The punctuation at the end of the lines is OPTIONAL (thus you can choose not to punctuate.)
- You can write the date in figures. Eg 10-05-2011
- Write your country’s name if the letter goes outside the country. E.g. Accra-Ghana
- Do not write the date this way (10May) but 10th May.
- Writing the “th” at the top is used for positions e g. Ama came 10″ in the English Exams.
- Do not write your name at the top of the address.
2. The salutation ( Greeting your recipient)
This is written on the left-hand side just below the date.
Eg Dear Esi, or Hello Titi Bi or Hello Capito
My dear Sema – When writing ‘My dear’ ‘dear’ with a small letter.
NOTE: You may shorten your friend’s name.
Do not write Dear friend, Hi friend, Hello friend, Hey friend. Write the name of your friend.
Introduction
Introduction is very important in any type of letter. it also shows whether the candidate has understood the question or not in an examination. It starts with talking about the subject matter that is what you want to write about.
The subject matter can also take a different paragraph.
Examples of introduction:
It affords me much pleasure to………………………………………………………………………
I write with much pleasure to pleasure to let you know that………………………………………..
I am sad to inform you that……………………………………
I’m happy to I’m so glad to hear you have won a scholarship…………………………………………….
NOTE: Try to avoid expressions like:
The brightness of this day has allowed me to write…
I take my pen to inform you that….
I would like to pen you these……
If the letter is in reply:
E.g. Your previous letter was very interesting I received your letter dated 15th July 2011 just a week ago,
Body of the letter
The body of the letter is the letter itself and should satisfy the demand of the question. Each idea should be in a short and clear paragraph. Credit is given to the use of idioms, phrasal verbs, contracted forms, conversational language, clarity of expressions etc. E.g. contracted forms of words
I have-I’ve
Was not-wasn’t
Did not-didn’t
I mam-I’m
Conclusion
Every type of letter needs a conclusion in one of two sentences, thus it shouldn;t be long.
The conclusion can talk about good wishes, a request for a reply and making it interesting.
You can also talk about other news reports in your next letter. Don’t stop suddenly without saying bye
Examples of good wishes:
With lots of love from………………
Send my love to……………………………………
Remember me to…………………………..
Best regards to………………………………
With lots of love from…………………………………..
Subscription and Name
This is placed at the right side at the end of the letter, only the first name of the writer with a full stop. Do not write your full name and signature.
not Yours friend Your friend,
David.
Yours ever, not Your’s ever
Yours sincerely, not Your’s sincerely
Yours dearly. not your’s dearly
Avoid the following wrong subscriptions
“Yours” has no apostrophe
Begin the “Y” with capital letters, not small letters.
Do not write, “Yours faithfully’ in a friendly letter.
SAMPLE QUESTION ON AN INFORMAL LETTER
Write a letter to your friend telling him/her about what you want to do after your Basic Education Certificate Examinations. (B.E.C.E 1996)
Newtown Junior High School,
P.O. BOX 70,
Prampram -Accra.
2nd June, 2011.
Dear Elorm,
It’s been a long time we heard from each other. I believe you are very busy preparing for our upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination.
I hope all is well with you and your family by His grace.
Elorm I am writing to inform you about what I want to do after our B.E.C.E. There are so many things I have been thinking of but I have finally decided on attending a computer class first. We are now in a computer age so you have to be computer literate so you can also move along.
You know our school had no computers so we are lost in the wilderness, only God knows what we will write during the LC.T paper. Anyway the fact also is I would like to study business at Senior High. I have to know how the computer can help me when it comes to business.
My uncle who is teaching business at senior high told me that, in accounting, there are certain processes like power point, excel and others that one needs to be abreast with computer.
Besides I believe others coming from different schools have some knowledge about computer so I will be lost in the class. That is why I want to learn about computer before going to senior high school, don’t you think it’s a good idea? You better give it a thought O.K?
Secondly, I want to join my uncle at Apan to sell at his provisions shop since the computer class is only for one month. He invited me to come after the examinations and I know he will surely ‘provision my chop-box’ when I’m leaving for school.
Elorm I want to do these during these few months we will be at home waiting for our results. Isn’t it a laudable idea? What about you? Write back as soon as possible so we can exchange ideas.
Extend my greetings to your parents and help groom your younger sister Ama for me okay? It’s a joke by the way, hoping to hear from you soon.
Your friend,
Judith.