INFORMAL LETTER WRITING

Informal letters are written to friends & relatives.

The format:

Copyright@Yogamalar_SMKBANTING

Form 4

TIPS
Lets look at some important aspects of an informal letter.

ORGANISATION
Paragraph 1 include formalities; give reason for writing the letter.
Paragraph 2 onwards depends on the reason for writing the letter. If
your reason is to tell the recipient about your holiday, then you will include
details of the holiday.
The last paragraph you can give a reason why you have to stop
writing such as:

I am sorry I have to stop here because it is getting late.

I am sorry I have to stop here because

I have to stop now because

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS TO BEGIN AN INFORMAL LETTER

I was pleasantly surprised to hear from you.

Thank you for your letter. I was pleased to hear that you are in good health.

It was really nice hearing from you. I am glad that you like your new school.

I hope this letter finds you in the pink (of health).

Thank you for the lovely birthday card.

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS TO END AN INFORMAL LETTER

I promise to write to you soon.

I hope you will reply soon.

Give my best wishes to your parents.

I am looking forward to seeing you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Do write and tell me how you are progressing.

REMEMBER WHEN YOU WRITE AN INFORMAL LETTER

Do not use slang words.

Do not use words which are in a language other than English. This means you cannot write
Dear Abah, or Dear Amma even if that is how you address your parents.
Do not sign off with Love and Kisses. Keep that for your personal letters.

Copyright@Yogamalar_SMKBANTING

Form 4

ACTIVITY 1
10, Jalan Mega Minang,
Taman Minang Sari,
68000 Ampang, Selangor.
_______________
_______________ Lina,
It was lovely to hear from you. All of us _______________ you very much. Mum and Dad are glad that
you are slowly adjusting to life in a boarding school.
In your _______________ you complained about the compulsory co-curricular activities. Well, let me
tell you that you can reap many benefits through active participation in these activities. Firstly, the various
co-curricular _______________ help you become a better person. Participation in uniformed units, clubs
and societies, sports and games will help you discover your talents and develop your character. You will
become a more confident and well-rounded _______________. The strict rules and good behaviour
expected of you as a member of a uniformed unit will instill discipline in you. This is important if you are to
become a law-abiding citizen.
Besides, you will learn good values through the various co-curricular activities. You will learn about the
importance of cooperation and respect for others. These values are very important in a multi-racial society
like ours. You have always said that you admire great_______________ like Nelson Mandela and Abraham
Lincoln. Well, co-curricular activities will certainly help you to develop leadership skills. There will be ample
opportunities to enable you to become a good leader. Besides learning how to plan events, you will learn
to organise activities. Sometimes, you might even have to handle a challenging situation and this will teach
you how to make on-the-spot decisions.
More importantly, co-curricular activities provide you with many opportunities to help you develop
social skills. As you know, a person with good social skills has an edge these days. Extra-curricular activities
will also provide you with opportunities to take part in competitions at various levels. Schools usually select
their representatives for competitions at zone, state or national level by looking at their students
performance in school-level competitions.
These activities also keep you healthy. Who knows, you might finally shed your baby fat! Most
importantly, you will get a good testimonial if you are active in co-curricular activities. This will definitely
boost your chances when applying for a scholarship or a job.
There is no need for you to worry that participation in these activities will affect your grades. On the
contrary, it has been proven that students who are actively involved usually do well academically. I hope
you will take the opportunities co-curricular activities provide to experience new things and discover your
strengths.
I have to stop here. I have to study for my trial examination, which is in two weeks time. Till I
______________________________, take care.
_______________loving sister,
Shuhada
Copyright@Yogamalar_SMKBANTING

Form 4

Activity 2
Writing Task
Your cousin has been chosen to take part in the National Service Programme and is
worried about going. You have decided to write a letter to tell him/her about the
benefits of the programme and encourage your cousin to go.
Use the notes given below to write your letter.

develop good habits

make new friends

learn leadership skills / responsibility

exciting activities

see different parts of Malaysia

be independent

gain new experiences

teamwork

strengthen love of country

keep fit and healthy

learn survival skills

discipline

When writing the letter, you must:

lay out your letter correctly ( address, greeting, closure )

use all the notes given

remember that your letter is to your cousin

Copyright@Yogamalar_SMKBANTING

Form 4