Writing workshop 17: The layout of an informal email/letter

In the next series of posts in our writing workshop we are going to make
emphasis on the structure of the different types of writing formats we can come
across. This way, we will be getting familiar with both the tasks (or instructions
or rubrics) and the layout or structure our piece of writing can have.

Read the task below:

You have been given the email address of an English-speaking person
who is looking for a contact in your country. Write an email about you and
your family, and suggest meeting at some time in the future.
Write your email in 140-160 words.

A suggested structure for this email can be:

Paragraph 1: Opening remark and reason for writing
Paragraph 2: Information about you
Paragraph 3: Information about your family
Paragraph 4: Suggestions for meeting at some time in the future and closing
remarks

Other factors you should consider in an informal email:

The style: Informal or neutral style

Everyday vocabulary

Colloquial expressions

Phrasal verbs

Contractions

Email conventions:

Greeting: Dear Lee, Hi Lee, Hi there

Opening remark: I thought I'd write and let you know; I'm writing
because; Just a quick note to let you know...

Closing remark: That's all from me for now; I'm looking forward to hearing
from you soon; Write back and tell me what you think about my plan

Farewell formula: Take care; Best wishes; Bye for now; Lots of love

Another example of an informal email:

You recently moved to a big city and have decided to write to a friend
from your old neighbourhood. Write an email describing life in your new
city and your feelings about the change.
Write your email in 140-160 words.

A suggested structure for this email can be:

Paragraph 1: Opening remark and reason for writing
Paragraph 2: Life in the new city
Paragraph 3: Writer's feelings about the change
Paragraph 4: Closing remarks

One more example of an informal email:

You've got two tickets for a week's cruise in the Mediterranean. Write a
letter/email to your friend, inviting him/her to join you, giving details of
which places you are going to visit and suggestions as to what he/she will
need to take with him/her.

Useful words and phrases in an informal letter or e-mail

Dear (first name),
Beginnings
Thank you/Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter/postcard.
It was good/nice to hear from you recently.
Im sorry I havent written/been in touch for such a long time.
Its ages since Ive heard from you. I hope youre/you and your family are well.
Asking
Hi! / How are the things? / How are you? / Hows it going?
Referring to their news
Great news about Glad to hear that Sorry to hear about

Giving news
Listen, did I tell you about ? Youll never believe what
Oh, and another thing This is just to let you know that
I thought you might be interested to hear about/know that
By the way, have you heard about/did you know that
Apologies
Im writing to apologise for missing your party but Im afraid I was with flu.
Im really sorry that I forgot to send you a birthday card but I was busy with my
new job.
If you let me know where you bought it/how much it cost Ill gladly pay for
it/replace it.
Please let me know how much the bill is and Ill gladly pay it.
Invitations
Im/Were having a party on Friday 19th and I/we hope youll be able to come.
Would you like to come/go to see Room With a View with me at the weekend.
I was wondering if youd like to go to the theatre/come on holiday with us?
Could you let me/us know if you can come/youd like to join us?
Thank you vary much for your invitation. Id love to come.
Thank you for asking/inviting me to but Im afraid I wont be able to
Requests
Im writing to ask for your help/you (if you could do me) a favour.
I wonder if/I was wondering if you could help me/do me a favour.
I hope you dont mind me asking but could you (possibly) ?
Id be very/really/terribly grateful if you could
Thank you / Congratulations / Good Luck
Im writing to thank you for your hospitality/the wonderful present.
It was so kind of you to invite me to stay with you.
I really appreciated all your help/advice.
Congratulations on passing your exams/your excellent exam results!

I wish you good luck/Good luck in/with your exams/your driving test/your
interview.
Dont worry, Im sure youll do well/pass.
Do be on time, wont you, and dont forget to
Making suggestions and recommend
Why dont you ? Maybe you could ? How about ?
You cant leave New York without doing sth
Im sure you will enjoy doing sth / If you like, we can
Do visit somewhere / Dont forget to do sth (Imperative -> Strong
Recommendation)
Im told that People say that (If you heard sth is good)
Endings
Give my love/regards to Say hello to Hope to hear from you soon.
See you soon! Write soon. Once again, thank you for all your help.
Signing off
Love,
Lots of love,
All the best,
Best wishes,
+First name
Remember that in informal letters we use:

Informal vocabulary, including phrasal verbs

go on instead of continue

Simpler sentence structure

Ill be late for the party. Its because of my French exam.

Punctuation using exclamation marks

If youd been at the wedding, youd have loved the food!