What is Informal Register?
q Although it is called friendly, it is not as informal as the language you would use when speaking to a friend.
q Although written, it not as formal as the language you would use when writing a letter to apply for a job.
q Friendly register is a level of language which comes between informal spoken language and formal written language.
Writing in Friendly Register
- When writing in friendly register, be careful not to make your level of language too informal.
- Do not include the following three features which are used when speaking to a friend :
v Words or sentence structures which use slang :
v Words shortened to look phonetic (i.e to look the way they sound)
v SMS-style phonetics,
‘u’ for ‘you’ small ‘i’ instead of ‘I’ a number to represent a word
FORMAT OF A FRIENDLY LETTER
Greeting / Salutation
Paragraph 1 : Introduction (Opening sentence)
Paragraph 2 ,3 : Transition and body (Expand the points)
Paragraph 4 : Conclusion (closing sentence)
Signature
v Greeting / Salutation
To a friend : Dear + first name
To a brother / sister : Dear + first name
Dear Brother Ahmed (X)
To your mother / father : Dear Mom / Dear Dad (Ö )
Dear Mother / Father (X)
To your parents : Dear Mom and Dad (Ö )
Dear Parents (X)
To a cousin : Dear + first name (Ö )
Dear Cousin Ali (X)
Dear Ali (Ö )
To an aunt : Dear Auntie + first name (Ö )
To an uncle : Dear Uncle + first name (Ö )
v In every case, use only the standard Dear. Do not be tempted to write :
Dearest (X) My Dearest (X) My Best Friend (X)
q Paragraphs need to be clearly shown by indenting the first line of each paragraph so that it lines up under the comma following the name.
Introduction
What is the purpose of an introduction?
The introduction warms the reader up and prepares for the main part of the letter.
What can be written on an introduction?
1- Using an apology
2- Not using an apology
3- Personal reference
(1) A favourite way to begin an informal letter is by using an apology. There are two kinds of apology introductions.
Apologizing when there is a genuine reason why the writer has not written
I’m sorry I haven’t written for ages, (apology) but I’ve been busy studying and haven’t had the time. (reason)
b) Apologising when there is no real excuse for not writing
I’ve been meaning to write for ages, but I’m afraid I just haven’t got round to it.
(2) Other introductions to friendly letters do not involve an apology. Eg :-
It was lovely to get your letter yesterday.
It was really great to hear from you last week.
(3) It can also begin with something very personal, to show your friendship or closeness.
Congratulations on passing the exam!
I hope you’re feeling better.
I hope you’ve got over the flu.
Transition
This will be the first sentence in the second paragraph and it is needed to link the introduction to the main body of the letter.
How do we write a transition sentence?
There are 3 different ways to begin a transition.
1- Using the words Anyway, or Anyhow
2- Using the past tense
3- Using other methods
Ending
Don’t try to enter directly to the ending par.Bofore concluding your letter you have give some hint(reason) why you are not able to write more.
For Example:
My mom is calling for dinner so that’s enough for today………….
I have to finish my home works so I am dropping my pen……………
My favourate movie is there on tv tonight so it’s time to drop my pen……..
The following can be used as a closing sentence.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Awaiting an early reply .
Inform my regards to someone’s name
Don’t forget to inform my updating to any name.
Once you have finished writing the letter and used an appropriate ending, write on a separate line, on the left of the page (usually), one of these :
Love, Love from With love from Yours,
Note the use of capital letters and which phrases need a comma after them. Do not include your family name just write your first name.
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