1. WRITING: AN INFORMAL LETTER Petr Novotný Gymnázium Dr. Karla Polesného Znojmo

2. INTRODUCTION Informal letters usually include letters to family members or friends. They are sometimes called social or friendly letters. The style and vocabulary is informal and friendly.

3. THE LAYOUT 19th July 2013 Dear Jane, How are you? Ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Duis risus. I am planning to habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Nulla turpis magna, cursus sit amet, suscipit a, interdum id, felis. Itaque earum rerum hic tenetur a sapiente delectus, ut aut reiciendis voluptatibus maiores alias. Anyway, we could tellus id magna elementum tincidunt. Proin in tellus sit amet nibh dignissim sagittis. Nullam feugiat, turpis at pulvinar vulputate, erat libero tristique tellus, nec bibendum odio risus sit amet ante. Nulla non lectus sed nisl molestie malesuada. Hope to hear from you soon. Lots of Love, John Date Salutation (Dear...,) Message Complimentary closing Your first name Your address, but not your name 17 East Garden PORTSMOUTH PO21 5AC UNITED KINGDOM Sign off

4. YOUR ADDRESS (UK) 17 East Garden PORTSMOUTH PO21 5AC UNITED KINGDOM House number POSTCODE numbers and letters (in capitals) POST TOWN (preferably in capitals) Street name Country

5. SALUTATION Use: Dear + first name (Dear Jane,) or Hello + first name (Hello Jane,) or Hi + first name (Hi Jane,) Dear is more formal than Hello or Hi; therefore Dear is especially common for traditional "paper" letters, whereas Hello or Hi for e-mails. After the salutation use a comma (,) or nothing

6. THE MESSAGE (1) The style is usually informal and casual – you needn't follow the standard letter-writing protocols. You can use colloquial language (kids, mom, dad), but avoid slang. You can use contracted forms (I'm; you're; haven't; hasn't;...) You can use abbreviations and acronyms. (ASAP, OK,...) You can use exclamation marks (!) to show strong feelings or excitement. Avoid long and complex sentences; use simple linking words (and, but, so, because, yet, then,...)

7. THE MESSAGE (2) Possible openings: Thanks for your (last) letter. It was great to hear from you / get your letter again / after so long. I hope you (and your family) are well. I'm sorry I haven't written / been in touch for such a long time. Possible endings (SIGN OFFs): I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon. Hope to hear from you soon. Bye for now. Well, that's all for now. Give my best regards to your parents / sister /... Please write soon.

8. COMPLIMENTORY CLOSING USEFUL PHRASES: – Take care, – Best wishes, – Yours (forever), – Love, – Lots of love,

9. TASK Imagine you have received a present from a friend or family member. Write an informal thank-you letter with the following information: Say thank you for the present; menion what it is like and how you like it. Say what you did on the occasion; say what other presents you received. Say thank you again.