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Writing: Genre-Specific Writing (B1) - Lesson 1: Writing Informal Emails and Letters

Sopheak Pich

Writing: Genre-Specific Writing (B1) - Lesson 1: Writing Informal Emails & Letters

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Hello B1 Communicators! 👋

Writing to friends and family is a common way to stay in touch, share news, make plans, or express feelings like thanks or happiness. These messages are usually informal, meaning they are casual and friendly.

Today, we'll learn how to write simple informal emails and letters for different everyday situations.

In this lesson, you will:

  • Review the structure of an informal email and letter.
  • Learn common phrases for thanking, inviting, and sharing news.
  • Practice writing your own short informal email.

Structure of an Informal Email or Letter

Even though they are informal, these messages usually have a few key parts:

  1. (For Emails) Subject Line: A short, friendly title that gives an idea of what the email is about (e.g., "Quick update!", "Dinner next week?", "Thinking of you!").
  2. Greeting: How you start. For friends and family, you can use:
    • "Hi [First Name],"
    • "Hello [First Name],"
    • "Hey [First Name]," (very informal)
    • "Dear [First Name]," (can also be used for friends)

    Remember the comma , after the greeting!

  3. Opening Line (Optional but Friendly): You can start with a friendly question or statement like:
    • "How are you?"
    • "Hope you're doing well."
    • "Guess what!"
    • "It was great to hear from you."
  4. Body: This is your main message. For B1, aim for 1-2 short paragraphs (2-5 sentences total). Each paragraph should focus on one main point.
  5. Closing: How you end your message. Common informal closings include:
    • "Talk soon,"
    • "Write back soon,"
    • "Best," / "Best wishes,"
    • "Cheers," (more common in British English)
    • "See you," / "See you soon,"
    • "Lots of love," (for close family/friends)

    Remember the comma , after the closing!

  6. Signature: Your first name.

Common Purposes & Useful Phrases

Here are some common reasons for writing informal emails/letters and some phrases you can use:

1. Thanking Someone:

  • "Thanks so much for..." / "Thank you very much for..."
  • "I really loved the [gift/help/etc.]!"
  • "It was very kind/thoughtful of you to..."
  • "I really appreciate..."

2. Inviting Someone:

  • "I'm having a [party/dinner/get-together] on [day/date] at [time/place]."
  • "Would you like to come to...?" / "Are you free to...?"
  • "I'd love it if you could join us."
  • "Let me know if you can make it." / "Hope you can come!"

3. Sharing News:

  • "Guess what!" / "I have some news..." / "Just wanted to tell you that..."
  • "I'm so excited to tell you about..."
  • "You'll never guess what happened..."
  • "I recently [did something interesting]..."

4. Making Arrangements / Plans:

  • "Are you free on [day/date]?" / "What are you doing on [day]?"
  • "How about we meet at [place] at [time]?"
  • "Let's [activity, e.g., go to the cinema / have lunch]."
  • "Does [time/day] work for you?"

Examples of Informal Messages

Example 1: Informal Email - Invitation

Hi Lina,

Sophea

Example 2: Short Personal Note - Thank You

Dear Aunt Maly,


Thank you so much for the wonderful book you sent me for my graduation! It was so thoughtful of you.

I've already started reading it, and I'm really enjoying the story.


Lots of love,

Pisey

Practice Writing an Informal Email!

Activity 1: Match Purpose to Phrase

Match the writing purpose on the left with a suitable phrase on the right.

Activity 2: Write Your Own Informal Email

Scenario: You want to write an email to your friend, David. You want to tell him about a new movie you watched and invite him to go for coffee next week to talk about it.

Fill in the parts below to write your email.

✨ Tips for Informal Emails & Letters ✨

  • Be Yourself: Write in a natural, friendly way, like how you would speak to your friend or family member.
  • Keep it Clear: Even though it's informal, make sure your message is easy to understand.
  • Think About Your Friend: What would they like to hear? Ask them questions too!
  • Check Before Sending: Quickly read through for any big spelling mistakes or if something is unclear, even in informal messages.

Friendly Communication! 🎉

You've learned how to write simple and friendly informal emails and letters. This is a great way to keep in touch and share your life with people you care about!

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