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How To Write An Informal Email

The document provides guidance on writing an informal email for an English proficiency exam, including discussing purpose, language, structure, common topics, word count, and examples. It explains that emails are interactive writing to someone rather than just for someone to read. It notes emails use informal language, follow a standard structure with an opening, body, and closing, and often discuss giving advice or making plans. Sample topics, instructions, and a response are also provided to illustrate the format and expectations.

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Daniela Alejandra Huerta Parra
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221 views4 pages

How To Write An Informal Email

The document provides guidance on writing an informal email for an English proficiency exam, including discussing purpose, language, structure, common topics, word count, and examples. It explains that emails are interactive writing to someone rather than just for someone to read. It notes emails use informal language, follow a standard structure with an opening, body, and closing, and often discuss giving advice or making plans. Sample topics, instructions, and a response are also provided to illustrate the format and expectations.

Uploaded by

Daniela Alejandra Huerta Parra
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to Write an Informal Email/ Letter for FCE Writing

An email is an example of an interactive writing, which means that we are writing to


someone rather than just for someone to read. For this reason, emails and letters are a very
particular type of writing for FCE in comparison with essays, articles, reviews or reports. So let’s
take a look at the main characteristics of emails:

Purpose of an informal email: The purpose of an informal email will depend on each task. Some
tasks ask you to provide your friend with some important information, while others might ask you
to ask for some advice. It is common for a friend or relative to ask you something about the place
where you live, while saying that they will be visiting soon.

Language: Given that we are writing to a friend or close relative, our language will be relaxed and
friendly. We could call it informal language if you want. So we will be making use of contracted
forms, common phrasal verbs, colloquial expressions and even flexible punctuation (E.g.: using em
dashes “–”)

Structure: One of the cool things about emails is that they always follow the same structure. In
general terms, we always need an opening and a closing formula; an introductory and closing
paragragh; and the body, which will consist of as many paragraphs as ideas you are asked to
discuss.

Common topics: Many informal emails to friends and relatives deal with giving advice on a certain
subject, such as visiting your hometown, keeping fit, advice on which cities to visit in your
country, organising a party for a mutual friend, etc. Sometimes, these topics may appear in
combination.

Number of words: like all FCE Writing tasks, informal emails should be written in 140 – 190
words.

FCE Writing Informal Email Example


Now that we are familiar with the characteristics of an informal email for First (FCE) Writing, let’s
take a look at an example of an informal email at B2 level, both at the task and at a sample answer.

Instructions of an informal email

It is extremely important to pay careful attention to these instructions, because it is here where we
have to find out what to talk about in our email. For example, in this case we have the following:
The addressee: an English friend of yours
The context: is visiting your city next summer
The main ideas/paragraphs: tell him about the places he should visit / and the clothes / invite him to
stay with you
And that’s how you know what you have to write about.

Sample answer
Now that we have a sample task, let’s take a look at a sample FCE answer to the task above. Pay
attention not only to the language, but also to the clear structure.

Useful Expressions for an Informal Email for FCE Writing


So if you want to learn how to write an informal email for FCE, you need to have a set of
expressions ready to use. Some of these useful expressions are the following:
Greetings: Ending the email or letter:
Dear Sarah, Well, I gotta go now.
Hello Sara, Anyway, I should get going.
Hi Sara, I’ve got to leave you now.
I’d better get going.
Introductory paragraph: Well, it’s time to go
How’s it going? Make sure you write soon
How are you doing? Don’t forget to drop me a line soon.
How are things? Look after yourself.
How are things going? Take care of yourself.
It’s great to hear from you!
Long time, no see! Closing the email or letter:
Sorry I haven’t written for ages, but All my love,
I’m really sorry it’s taken me so long to get Love,
back to you. Lots of love,
All the best,
Reacting to good news: Take care,
I’m glad to hear that Best wishes,
I’m so happy that Best,
Great news about your Regards,
I’m very happy to hear about Kind regards,
It’s so great that

Reacting to bad news:


I’m so sorry to hear about
Sorry to read about
I can’t tell you how sad I am that
I’m extremely sorry to hear about
It’s just awful to hear that

Introducing paragraphs:
Oh, by the way,
Hey, did you hear about…?
One more thing,
As for
By the way, tell me about

Question
You have received the following email from your English-speaking friend.

.............Thanks for inviting me to stay with you when I visit your country next month.
I'm not sure how to get to your apartment from the airport. Could you write back giving
me some basic instructions? What would be the best method of transport for me? I'd
prefer one that isn't too expensive! Just one other thing - what will the weather be like
when I get there? (Just so I'll know what clothes to pack!) .........

Write your informal email/letter of reply to your friend (around 140-190 words).
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