INVITATION

OBJECTIVES :
• Inviting a man of eminence to grace an occasion as the chief guest/guest of
honour/resource person etc.
• Inviting an individual to attend an occasion e.g. wedding ceremony/social
programme etc.
• Replying to an invitation
• Developing the skills of writing a short composition using effective language
• Developing the skills of writing using formal and informal language
 What is An Invitation

An invitation is a written or verbal request inviting someone

to go somewhere or to do something. An invitation is a
request, a solicitation, or an attempt to get another person
to join you at a specific event. When you ask people to
attend a party, visit your beach house, or witness your
marriage, you invite them by giving them an invitation.

It can be in the form of an invitation card which is generally

considered as formal invitation or it may be in the letter
format which is more informal.
 Invitation

Understanding the Types

♦ FORMAL – Printed & Non Printed

♦ INFORMAL – More Like Personal Letters to Friends,

Acquaintances, Relatives, etc.

Word Limit-50
Marks – 4 (Format-Content-Expression-1+1+1=3)
 FORMAL
1. PRINTED 2. NON-
PRINTED
INFORMAL
MORE LIKE PERSONAL LETTERS TO FRIENDS,
AQUINTANCES, RELATIVES, ETC.
 Invitation

FORMAT: FORMAL – PRINTED

Name of the host

Standard expression
Purpose of the invitation
Name of the honouree
Day, date and time of the event
Name of the place, location with complete address
RSVP (Respond if it pleases you)
Telephone or mobile number or
Address of the host

CONTENT/BODY
 The Principal, Staff & Students
of
Sainik School Goalpara, Assam
cordially invite you to
THE ACADEMIC DAY
to be held on
10th Dec., 2010 at 10.00 hrs.
in the school premises/auditorium

SHRI GAUTAM BORA,

Hon’ble Minister, Sports, Govt. of Assam
will grace the occasion as the CHIEF GUEST /GUEST OF HONOUR

R.S.V.P.
PRINCIPAL
036713286263
 The Principal, Staff & Students
of
Sainik School Goalpara, Assam
request your benign presence on the much awaited

THE ACADEMIC DAY

of the school
to be held on
10th Dec., 2010 at 10.00 hrs.
in the school premises/auditorium

SHRI GAUTAM BORA,

Hon’ble Minister, Sports, Govt. of Assam
will grace the occasion as the CHIEF GUEST /GUEST OF HONOUR

R.S.V.P.
PRINCIPAL
036713286263 (please be seated by 09.45 hrs.)
 MR. & MRS. Kalita
request the pleasure of your company along with your family
on the auspicious occasion of the

WEDDING CEREMONY
of our loving son
SHRI KULDEEP KALITA (BABA)
With

SHRI ABC (MAJONI)

daughter of
MR. & MRS. Dihingia , Guwahati
to be solemnised on
10th Dec., 2020 at 6 P.M.
at Kunjalata Vivah Bhavan, Zoo Road, Guwahati-05
R.S.V.P.
Matia, Near Main Market
036713286263
 M/s Ganjawala & Sons
announces the grand opening of their
new & spectacular showroom

Spectra
at
P.W.D., Rajapara
INAUGURATION
on Sunday, 22nd Dec., 2010 at 7 P.M., Spectra premises
By
Cine Star, Apoorva Krishna
All are cordially invited
Also avail ready garments at an initial discount of 50%

R.S.V.P.
Mr. Ganjawala
Goalpara
036713286263
 ECO CLUB
of
Modern School , Guwahati
solicits your good will & co-operation in its massive

Awareness & Cleanliness Drive

against
Use of Polythene Bags

To be carried out at
Paltan Bazar
on Sunday, 22nd Dec., 2010 between 7 A.M. & 10 A.M.

AL GORE , renowned environmentalist

has kindly consented to boost the morale of the participants
with his presence on the occasion
R.S.V.P.
Secretary,
036713286263
 Invitation

FORMAT: FORMAL – NON-PRINTED

Format
(letter format)
NAME OF THE INSTITUTION AND ADDRESS,
RECEIVER’S NAME AND ADDRESS,
DATE & SALUTATION,
SUBJECT,
NAME OF EVENT,
COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE, and
WRITER’S NAME WITH DESIGNATION

CONTENT/BODY
 UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF WRITING AN INVITATION

Features of a Formal invitation are as follows:

The invitation should be written in third person and not in first or second person.
Simple present tense is used.
A polite and courteous tone should be used.
It is a single sentence presentation.
No signatures required.
Dates must be written in letters and you should not use abbreviation. However,
date of writing must not be mentioned.
It ought to explain why the party or event is being held, "to celebrate..." or "to
honour..."
Length as per CBSE guidelines is limited to 50 words.
It is generally enclosed in a box.
It should answer to the 5Ws:
WHAT- The occasion
WHEN- Date and time
WHERE- Venue
WHO- Name of the host
WHOM- Name of the person being invited
To,
The Inspector of School
Sainik School Society
Ministry of Defence
New Delhi

Dated : 26th Nov., 2010

Subject : Invitation

Sir,
You will be glad to know that…../
We are glad to inform you that…/
It gives us immense pleasure to inform you that…/
…like the previous years,
our school/name of the school .. is going to organize its Annual
Athletic Meet for the session 2010-11 with pomp and show in its
school premises from 6th to 10th Dec. 2010.
 We shall be honoured if you kindly consent to inaugurate the Meet/grace the
inaugural ceremony as the Chief Guest on Nov 6 at 8 A.M…. and spend some time with us
…Your presence on the occasion would …certainly boost the morale of our students and
staff /kindle zeal and interest in our young aspirants.

We hope, you would find some time/ find it possible to be amidst us, to our great
pleasure……

Look forward to your kind acceptance of the invitation…/

Your kind acceptance of the invitation is anticipated.

Thanks & regards.

Yours cordially,
PRINCIPAL
Question

The literary club of your school is putting up the play ‘Waiting for Godot’. As
secretary of the club, draft an invitation inviting the famous writer Sudeesh Gupta
to be the guest of honour at the function. Write the invitation in not more than 50
words. You are Govind/Gauri. (All India 2014)

ABC School

Shastri Nagar
Mumbai

February 20, 20xx

Mr. Sudesh Gupta

XYZ Lane, PQR Colony
Mumbai

Subject: Invitation as Chief Guest

Dear Sir,
We are glad to inform you that the Literary club of our school is putting up
the play ‘Waiting for Godot’ on 17th January, 20xx in our school auditorium from 9-
10 a.m. On behalf of our club, I would like to extend a cordial invitation to you to be
the Guest of Honour at the function. It would be our privilege if you consent to
grace this occasion with your benign presence.

Yours Sincerely,
Gauri
Secretary (Literary Club)
Question
You have received an invitation to be the judge for a literary competition in St. Ann’s
School. Send a reply in not more than 50 words, confirming your acceptance. You
are Mohan/Mohini. (All India)

16, XYZ Lane

ABC Nagar, Chennai

Dated :

St. Ann’s School

TVS Nagar, Chennai

Subject: Acceptance of invitation for judging the literary competition.

Sir,
I would like to express my gratitude to St. Ann’s School for inviting me to be the
judge for a literary competition in your school. I confirm my acceptance for the
same and will make sure that I am present there at the scheduled date and time.

Yours sincerely
Mohini
 Invitation
FORMAT: INFORMAL – NON-PRINTED
INFORMAL – More Like Personal Letters to Friends, Acquaintances, Relatives, etc.

FORMAT: INFORMAL
SENDER’s ADDRESS- The sender’s address is usually put on the top right-hand corner
of the page.
DATE - The sender’s address is followed by the date just below it, i.e. on the right
side of the page. This is the date on which the invitation is being written. It is to be
written in expanded form.
RECEIVER’s ADDRESS
SUBJECT- Then we sum up the purpose of writing the invitation in one line. This
helps the receiver focus on the subject of the invitation in one glance. It is important
to underline the subject.
SALUTATIONS- This is where you greet the person you are addressing the invitation
to.
---------BODY-------
COMPLEMENTARY CLOSURE- Mention the name given in the question paper. Do not
mention your personal details.
DESIGNATION
 UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF AN INVITATION

REPLYING TO AN INVITATION

The features of a Reply are as follows :

A formal reply is usually very short. It is brief and to the
point. The quality of a good reply is that it is always pleasant.
Even while declining the invitation or expressing inability to
attend, one must be polite and courteous.
Formal replies demand a formal tone and treatment. There is
no room for unnecessary details or superfluous matter in
them.
An informal reply or private letter may, however, express
personal feeling or desires in an intimate style and informal
tone.
UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF WRITING AN INVITATION

FORMAL REPLIES
Main characteristics of a Formal Reply are as follows:
• Acknowledge the invitation.
• Express thanks in third person.
• Mention acceptance/regret.
• Specify the reason for refusal.
• Be brief and specific.
• be formal in tone and treatment.
Informal Replies
Main characteristics of an Informal Reply are as follows:
• Acknowledge the invitation in first person.
• Use second person for the sender of invitation.
• Mention acceptance/regret
• Specify the reason in case of refusal.
• Use warm and simple language.
Question
As the principal of a reputed college, you have been invited to inaugurate a Book Exhibition
in your neighbourhood. Draft a reply to the invitation in not more than 50 words, expressing
your inability to attend the function. You are Tarun/Tanvi. (All India 2014)

The Principal
ABC College

March 25th, 20xx

Subject: Inability to accept the Invitation

Sir,
I would like to express my gratitude to the Civil Lines Book Club for inviting me to
inaugurate the first edition of the Civil Club Book Exhibition. But I regret my inability to
attend the function due to a prior commitment. I have to attend a meeting with the
governing body of our college on the same day for which the inauguration is scheduled.

Yours sincerely,
Tanvi
Principal