By : Neha Dhyani
Updated : Mar 7, 2023, 14:41
In a world ruled by email and short messages, letters still call the shots. Perhaps nothing can express your feelings better than a letter. Today we discuss what is informal letter and is the format of an informal letter.
An informal letter is written and sent to express feelings, share information, invite to an event, and the like. But, while formal letters are sent to known or unknown professional contacts, informal letters are exchanged between close acquaintances who already know each other. Although informal letters are casual, they follow a format. However, the format might be flexible, meaning you can tweak it to make it appealing for the recipient. The next section mentions the format of an informal letter.
As already mentioned, the format of an informal letter is generally flexible. But, the elements mentioned below are the most commonly found in standard informal letters:
The writer's name and address introduce the letter to the recipient. The address is usually put on the letter's top-left side. The address must be complete and without any spelling mistakes. The primary purpose of putting the address is to allow the recipient to send you a reply if needed. Also, if you sent the letter to a foreign land, mention your country as well.
Mentioning the date is important since it gives the recipient an idea of when it was sent. It may also enable them to archive your letter.
The greeting or salutation allows you to start in the right tone. If the recipient is your friend or a junior, you can start with ‘Dear.' And, if the recipient is senior to you, you can start with ‘Dear Mr.' or ‘Dear Ms.'
This is a ‘warming up' section. Before introducing the letter's topic, you may use the introductory paragraph to inquire about the recipient's health and well-being.
The letter body elaborates on why you are writing the letter. If your friend or junior reads your letter, you can maintain a casual, funky tone. Conversely, if the letter will be read by some senior, ensure to maintain a respectful tone.
The concluding paragraph provides an overview of the letter body. Keep it short and to the point with a powerful call to action. A call to action indicates that you are willing to further this conversation.
You may sign off your letter with ‘best wishes,' ‘lots of love,' ‘kind regards,' etc. Also, put your signature at the end.
12, Kyd Street, Camac Street
Kolkata - 700002
West Bengal, India
Date - 11th February 2022
Dear XYZ,
I hope you are in good health. Since I haven't contacted you in a while, I thought to inquire about your health.
India is slowly adapting to the new normal. But, we still wear masks and follow social distancing norms to stop the spread of the virus. Regarding our family, my elder sister caught COVID and was hospitalized for fifteen days. But, she is okay now and has joined the office recently.
So, how are things with you and your family? How is Gudiya, your daughter? Give my love and regards to everyone in your family and take care of yourself and everyone else.
I will wait eagerly to get a response from you.
Lots of Love,
Amit
Like a formal letter, an informal letter is written and sent to express feelings, share information, invite to an event, and the like.
While formal letters are sent to known or unknown professional contacts, informal letters are exchanged between close acquaintances who already know each other. The tone and format of an informal letter are starkly different from a formal letter.
Yes. An informal letter is more flexible than a formal letter. Although informal letters also follow a format, the structure is often more lenient than formal letters.
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