INVITATIONS

AND
REPLIES
 What is an Invitation?
 Invitations are generally printed cards
through which we invite our guests on
some auspicious occasion like wedding,
birthday, wedding anniversary, house
warming, inauguration of a shop/factory
etc.

 Invitations are of two types:

1. Formal
2. Informal
 FORMAL INVITATION
 Formal Invitations are formal letters. They can be printed on cards or
can be drafted in the form of social letters.

 Formal Invitations can be of two types:

 Printed invitation cards inviting guests to be present on a particular

occasion. Such invitations do not include the name of the addressee.

 Formal typed (handwritten) letter addressed to a VIP invited to preside

over a social, cultural and educational function. In these invitations to
VIPs the name of the addressee appears prominently.

NOTE: A Formal Invitation is written in card format when it is meant for a

lot of invitees but it is written in a formal letter when it is meant for an
individual.

 Formal invitations are formal and polite, pleasant and courteous.

 FORMAT OF FORMAL INVITATION
The invitation is laid out so that each of the following is
in a separate line:

 Name(s) of the host(s) issuing the invitation

 the standard expression

request the pleasure of your company

solicit your gracious presence
cordially invite you
cordially request the honour of your presence
invite you to join
request your benign presence
seek the pleasure of your presence
 FORMAT OF FORMAL INVITATION
 the purpose of the invitation
( birthday/ marriage/ inauguration/ celebration of
historic day etc.)

 day, date and time of the event

( party/ function/ program)

 the venue of the event

( with complete address)

 Address of the host

(write the telephone/ mobile number, just below RSVP)
Q: Your sister Nivedita is going to marry
Akhilesh (S/o Mrs. & Mr. SM Joshi, Nainital).
Your father Mr. K.S. Bhardwaj has planned
to hold the wedding at Hotel Kunal, New
Delhi on 25 May 20XX at 8 p.m.

Write a formal invitation on behalf of Mrs.

& Mr. K.S. Bhardwaj inviting guests to the
auspicious occasion. Give other details. Do
not exceed 50 words.
Q: M/s Shyam Lal & Sons are opening a
new general store ‘Galaxy Novelties’ in
Geetanjali Enclave, Dwarika, Delhi. The
inauguration ceremony is fixed for
Sunday, the 19th of October 20XX at 11
a.m.

Prepare a draft of formal invitation

letter for the purpose.
Q: You are a student of Newton Public
School, Nagpur. The school is holding its
annual function on Saturday, the 15th
November, 20XX at 11 a.m. The HRD
Minister Dr. M.M. Joshi has consented to
be the chief guest.
Design an invitation card to be sent to
the parents and other invitees. Do not
exceed 50 words
 FORMAT OF A LETTER (FORMAL)
APEX ORIENTATION
38 A Karol Bagh SENDER’S ADDRESS
New Delhi-110005

25 March 20XX DATE

The Principal
RECEIVER’S ADDRESS
ABC School
Delhi

Sub: Free Counselling Session SUBJECT

Sir/Madam SALUTATION
Apex Orientation is a leading name in postal coaching for competitive examinations. We
regard your school as one of the prestigious institutions of Delhi. We shall deem it a
personal favour if you recommend any two of your brilliant students to attend our Career
Counselling Session for IIT-JEE and CBSE-PMT to be held on 10th April, 20XX. The
participation will be free of cost.

Kindly send your recommendations by the 7th April.

Ritu Nanda SUBSCRIPTION

(Director)
Q: You are Sachin Bansal, the Head Boy of
Spring Dales Public School, Gurgaon. Your
school is holding an inter-school T-20 cricket
championship from 2 Oct. to 8 Oct., 20XX.

Write a formal invitation to Sh. B.S. Bedi, the

legendary cricketer, to inaugurate the
championship on 2 Oct. 20XX at 10 a.m. at
your school grounds.
Spring Dales Public School
Gurgaon
 
25 Sept 20XX
 
Sh. B.S. Bedi
2/27 Jorbagh
New Delhi
 
Subject: Inauguration of Cricket Championship

Sir
Our school is holding an inter-school T-20 cricket championship from 2 nd October 20XX to 8th
October 20XX. All the schools of the area are likely to participate. Your presence in our midst
will act as a catalyst and inspire us. You are requested to inaugurate the championship on 2 nd
Oct.ober 20XX at 10 a.m. in our school grounds.

Kindly confirm your availability by 30 Sept.

 
Yours sincerely
Sachin Bansal
(Head Boy)
 PRACTICE

Q:Your school, St. Thomas Public School, Meerut, is

organising an inter school one-act play competition. Draft an
invitation to famous playwright Vijay Kumar to act as one of
the judges.

Q:M/s Spic and Span are opening a new showroom of space

saving furniture at Nehru Place, New Delhi. The inauguration
is to be held on Sunday, the 23rd November, 20XX at 9.00 a.m.
Write a formal letter on their behalf inviting their friends and
relatives to the function.

Q:On behalf of Mrs. & Mr. V.K Mehra. Draft a printed invitation
card for the marriage of their daughter Prabha with Mayank
( S/O Mrs. & Mr. L.K Dhigra of Faridabad). Give other details
such as date, time and Venue. Word Limit- 50 words)
 INFORMAL INVITATION
Informal invitations follow the pattern of ordinary personal letters. These
letters are written to relatives, friends and acquaintances.

 These letters are first/second person presentations.

 Personal feelings and emotions find an expression.

 The writer’s address is given in the usual place.

 The salutation is usually “Dear’ plus “Name’.

 The date of writing is given, but the year is generally omitted.

 The style and tone are relaxed and informal.

 Different tenses are used as the sense demands.

 The complimentary close is: Yours sincerely’.

Q: Smith Menon has come out successful in
the Medical Entrance Examination. He has
decided to throw a party to his friends to
celebrate this occasion.

Draft an informal invitation giving details of

venue, time and date. Do not exceed 50 words.

 
H-45, Shantiniketan
New Delhi

25 June 201X

Dear friend
I have the pleasure to inform you that I have arranged a
small get-together at my residence on Sunday, 25th June,
201X at 05.00 p.m. to celebrate my selection in the Medical
Entrance Examination.
Please join us and enjoy the company of my family
members.

Yours lovingly
Smith Menon
Q: You are Leena Sen. The wedding of your
elder sister Reena Sen is going to be held on
the 15th May, 20XX at Hotel Lake View,
Udaipur.

Write out an informal invitation to your

friend Vinnie requesting her to attend the
function.
 
 
4357, Vasant Kunj
Raj Nagar

1 May 20XX

Dear Vinnie
You will be pleased to know that the wedding of my elder sister
Reena Sen is going to be held on the 15th May, 20XX at Hotel
Lake View, Udaipur. The whole family will move there in the
morning. I invite you to join us at lunch in the hotel on the
15th. The wedding ceremony will take place at 8 in the evening.
I do hope you will join us on the auspicious occasion.

Yours sincerely
Leena
Q: You are Ankit Verma. Your friend from Malaysia is staying
in the hostel. Invite him to join Diwali Celebrations with you
at your residence.

Q:You are Rashmi/Resham. You cleared the IELTS

examination. The family is elated at your achievement and
your parents decide to have a get together for all your
friends. Draft an informal invitation for the get together.
 
Q: You are Rukmini/ Raja of R-201, Fort Road, Chennai. You
have just purchased a new house. You decide to have a
house-warming ceremony and invite your cousin Balaji.
Write the invitation in 50 words giving all necessary details.
 WRITING REPLIES
(FORMAL AND INFORMAL)
OR
RESPONDING TO INVITATIONS
 FORMAL REPLIES
A formal reply is usually very short.

It is brief and to the point.

The quality of a good reply is must always be 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.
 Main characteristics
Formal Replies
 
 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.

Q:Write a formal reply to
Mrs. and Mr. Chawla
accepting the invitation to
attend the birthday of their
son.
12 December 20XX

Mrs. and Mr. Manjit Rathore thank Mrs.

and Mr. Chawala for inviting them on
the occasion of the 5th birthday of their
son, Rahul on Monday, 28th December,
20XX at Konark Hotel and inform them
that they will be glad to attend the
function.
 REFUSAL

Q:Write a formal reply to Mrs.

and Mr. Chawla regretting your
inability to attend the birthday
function of their son due to a
prior engagement.

 
 
12 December 20XX

Mrs. and Mr. M.N. Malviya thank Mrs.

and Mr. Chawala for inviting them on
the occasion of the 5th birthday of their
son, Rahul on Monday, 28th December,
20XX at Konark Hotel. They regret that
they will not be able to attend the
function due to a prior engagement.
 INFORMAL REPLIES
 
 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.

* Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50).

Q: You are Osheen Malhotra of 12-A, R.K. Puram,
New Delhi. You have been invited by the principal
of St. Joseph Public School, Lajpat Nagar, New
Delhi to act as one of the judges at a debate Contest
to be held on 15 March 20XX.
Write an informal reply to the Principal accepting
the invitation.

 
12-A, R.K. Puram
New Delhi

10 March 20XX

Madam
I really feel a great honour on being invited to act one of
the judges at a debate contest to be held on 15th March
20XX in your school.

I confirm my presence at the programme and send my

good wishes for its success.

Yours truly
Osheen Malhotra
Q:You have been invited to your friend’s
birthday party.Since you are going to
Jaipur on a school trip, respond to the
invitation expressing your regret.
10/2, Lal Bahadur Colony
Yamuna Nagar

18 June 20XX

Dear Nikhil

Many thanks for inviting me to your birthday party on 24 June

20XX at your residence. But I regret that I won’t be able to
attend your party as I am going to Jaipur on a school trip. I
send my good wishes for your birthday and look forward to
meeting you some other time.

Yours sincerely
PRACTICE
INFORMAL REPLY

QUESTIONS
Q: You were invited by the local unit of Boogie Woogie, a talent
search organisation, to make a selection of the local teams for
participation in the zonal competition and performance at the
national level. But you are not in a position to do so because you
have met with an accident. Write a letter to the convener regretting
your inability to honour the request explaining to him your position.
You are Arun/Aruna Joglekar.

Q:You are Arun/Aruna. You have been invited to attend the wedding
of your friend’s sister during summer vacation. Respond to the
invitation accepting the invitation.

Q:Draft a formal reply on behalf of the leader of opposition in the

Lok Sabha accepting the invitation of the Students’ Forum, ABC
School Noida, to inaugurate their Mock- Parliament.
THANK YOU