BAHASA INGGRIS WAJIB

(INVITATION)

TEACHING MATERIAL

Invitation is a written request:

• to spend time with you socially
• to come to a social event
• to do something, or
• to go somewhere

When you want someone to attend an event, you can send an invitation. Invitation can be written on a
letter, a card or an Email. Shorter invitation such as wedding party and birthday party are usually written
on a card and the longer one like invitation to celebrate school or office anniversary usually written in a
letter.

 Social function : inviting people to formal and social events

 Language features :
(1) Verb in present tense : invite, attend, come, join, etc.
(2) Verb in future tense : will take place, will start, will celebrate, will be held, etc.

The information that should be included in an invitation are:

1. The information about the host: name and address.
2. The information about the event: name, purpose, date, time and location.
3. Special instruction: dress code, direction to the location, etc.
4. RSVP information: contact person, phone number.
RSVP or R.S.V.P. is adopted from French word réspondez s- ilvous plait which means please
answer. The receiver of the invitation must tell the host whether they plan to attend the event or
not.

There are 2 kinds of invitation:

1. Formal invitation is an invitation which follows a dignified form, tone or style in agreement with
the established norms custom or values (Webster’s, 2012).
For example: graduation ceremony, wedding, grand opening, etc.

2. Informal invitation is a personal invitation given to a friend or family.

For example: birthday party, family gathering, etc.

Common format of a formal invitation (Card):

 The first line is the name of the person who invites.

 The second line is the request for participation.
 The third line is the name of the person(s) invited.
 The fourth line is the occasion for invitation.
 The fifth line is the time and date of the occasion.
 The sixth line is the place of the occasion.
 The last line is the request for reply.
Common Structure of a formal invitation (letter):
 Heading (address of the host). It covers the address of the sender and the date when the letter is
being written
 Inside address (address of the invite). It is placed at the left margin, two spaces below the heading
and contains the receiver’s full name, title, and address.
 Salutation (Opening Greeting).
For example:
- Dear Sir/Madam. (if a person who is not known to the sender)
- Dear Mr. Noel. (if a person who is known to the sender)
 Body of the (gives the details of the place, date and time of the event and other information
related to the event).
 Complimentary Close. The conclusion of all letters is a brief phrase showing respect called the
complimentary closing which is placed two spaces below the body. Only the first word of this
closing is capitalized.
 Signature. It follows the complimentary close.
The example of formal invitation:

Generic structure:
(the picture)
Social function:
Inviting people to a wedding ceremony of Mr. and Mrs. Anantyo’s daughter .
Language feature:
Verb in present tense: request
Some phrases that are used in FORMAL INVITATION
 Inviting Accepting Declining

We should be pleased What a delightful idea. I’m afraid I have already

/delighted if you could... (ide yang menyenangkan) promised...
(kami harus senang jika (aku takut aku sudah berjanji
anda bisa…) ….)

Would you like to... That’s very kind of you. I am very sorry, i don’t
(apakah anda ingin …) think i can.
( saya sangat meminta maaf,
saya tidak berpikir saya bisa
…)

I would very much like We would very much I would like to, but...
you to... like to...
(saya sangat ingin kamu…)

Some phrases that are used in INFORMAL INVITATION

Inviting Accepting Declining

Come and... OK. I don’t think I can’t.

You must come to... I would like to love to Unfortunately, I can’t

come. (sayangnya, saya tidak bisa)
(saya ingin sekali datang)

Shall we come to... All right (then). Thank you for asking me,
but...

INVITING
 Let’s go to the Jakarta Fair!
  I hope you’ll come to my party.
 Please try to come.
 Would you like to come to my house?
 Would you like to join us?
 Are you free this afternoon?
 I would like to invite you to…
ACCEPTING
           I’d love to.
           I like that.
           It sounds interesting.
           It’s very nice of you to invite me.
           That would be wonderful.
           That sounds great.
           Thank you for the invitation.

REFUSING
 I’d love to, but I can’t.
 Sorry, I’m really busy.
 I’d love to, but I have many home works.
 I’m afraid I can’t.
 I’m really sorry.
 I’d love to, but I won’t be able to come,
because…
 Sorry I can’t. I have to go to Jakarta this
evening.

STUDENT’S WORKSHEET (INVITATION)

1st Meeting

1) Identify the generic structure, social function, and language feature of the invitations below.
 The honor for me of your presence
is requested and attended at the marriage of

JANUAR
&
DEWI LESTARI
Oct twenty ninth two thousand and twenty one
at half past six in the evening

Have and to Hold Weeding Chapel

Dinner to follow

212 Gatotkaca Street, Semarang, Central Java

2nd Meeting
1) Identify these phrases of invitation to their types, formal or informal. Put them in the right
left row.
Would you like to… Declining invitation (informal)
I will … Making invitation (formal)
Sure, I’m coming Accepting invitation (informal)
I’d like to, but … Making invitation (formal)
With the greatest pleasure Accepting invitation (informal)
 Why don’t you come to … Declining invitation (formal)
All right Accepting invitation (informal)
Sorry, maybe next time Making invitation (formal)
I’m afraid I’ve … Making invitation (informal)
Sorry, I can’t Accepting invitation (informal)
That would be very nice Declining invitation (formal)
Can’t make it Making invitation (informal)
You must come to … Accepting invitation (formal)
We would be pleased if you could … Declining invitation (informal)
Would you care to … Declining invitation (informal)

2) Read carefully the following text in the picture to answer questions.

a) What does the invitation tell you about?

b) What is the purpose of the text?
c) When will the party be held?

3) Please make a formal invitation by yourself. You can use the example of invitation in
material as your source to make your invitation.