FORMAL AND INFORMAL INVITATIONS

INVITATIONS:
Invitations are generally printed cards/letters through which we invite our guests on some auspicious occasions
like wedding, birthday, wedding anniversary, house warming, the inauguration of a shop/factory, etc.
♦ Invitations are of two types:
(a) Formal
(b) Informal.

Formal invitations:
Formal invitations can be of two types:

• Printed invitation cards:

Inviting guests to be present on a particular occasion.
Do not include the name of the addressee.(it’s for the mass)
• Non printed (Formal letter):
Addressed to a VIP invited to preside over a social, cultural and educational function.
The addressee(VIP) appears prominently.

FORMAT: Printed invitation cards

Name of the host

Standard expression (Eg: request the pleasure of your company/

solicit your gracious presence )

Purpose of the invitation

Day, date and time of the event

Name of the place ,location with complete address
Chief guest

RSVP
Designation/Address of the host
 Telephone / mobile number
(Any other relevant details)

Marking scheme:

Format-1m
Organization of idea-1m
Content- 11/2m
Accuracy of Spelling and Grammar-1/2m

Sample :

Draft an invitation on behalf of Mr & Mrs Raj Karan of 38, Kamal Kunj, Varanasi, which they may use to invite
their friends and relatives on the 5th birth anniversary of their son Nikhil at their residence on 28 December
20XX.

FORMAT OF FORMAL INVITATIONS IN LETTER FORM:

— Sender’s address (name of the host, place)

— Date(Expanded form)

— Receiver’s address

— Subject: briefly write in one line- to be underlined

 — Salutation (Sir/Madam)

— Content:(2 paragraphs)

— Complimentary close (Thanking you)

— Subscription( Yours Faithfully/Sincerely)

Features of a Formal invitation are as follows-

To be written in third person and not in first or second person.
A polite and courteous tone should be used.
No signatures required.
It ought to explain why the party or event is being held, “to celebrate…” or “to honour…”
It should answer to the 5Ws:

o WHAT- The occasion

o WHEN- Date and time
o WHERE- Venue
o WHO- Name of the host

SAMPLE:

You are the Director of Apex Orientations, a leading name in postal coaching for competitive
examinations including IIT-JEE and CBSE-PMT. Write invitations to the principals of some prestigious
schools inviting the names of two brilliant students from each institution to attend their counselling
session for free of cost.

APEX ORIENTATION
38-A, Old Rohtak Road,
Karol Bagh,
New Delhi-110005

25th March, 20XX

The Principal
ABC School
Delhi
Subject: Free Counselling Session.
Sir/Madam,
Apex Orientation is a leading name in postal coaching for competitive examinations. We regard your school as
one of the prestigious institutions in 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.

Yours Faithfully,
Ritu Nanda
Director

INFORMAL INVITATIONS

It follows the pattern of ordinary personal letters. Written to relatives, friends and acquaintances.
These letters are first/second person presentations.

CHARACTERISTICS
— 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.
— The style and tone are relaxed and informal.
— Different tenses are used as the sense demands.
— The complimentary close is: ‘Yours sincerely’.
Sample:

Rohit has got success in CBSE-PMT. He wants to celebrate his admission to Shivaji Medical College,
Nagpur by throwing a party to his friends. Write an informal invitation giving details of venue, time and
date. Do not exceed 50 words.

33/427 Priya Vihar

New Delhi

15 July 20XX

Dear Varan,
You will be glad to learn that I have secured 80th rank in the CBSE-PMT competition. I have got admission in a
prestigious institution – Shivaji College, Nagpur. I want to share a few happy moments of my life in the company
of my friends at a dinner in the Hotel Kanishka at 9.00 p.m. on 23 July, 20XX.

Please join the celebrations and merry-making.

Yours sincerely,
Rohit

TYPES OF REPLIES

v Formal replies

Usually very short, brief and to the point.

No room for unnecessary details or superfluous details .

FEATURES:

— Acknowledge the invitation.

— Express thanks in third person.

— Mention acceptance/regret.

— Specify the reason for refusal.

— Brief and specific.

— Formal in tone and treatment.

word limit (usually 50 words).

Formal replies can be written in the following form:

(A) Letter form

(B) Card form

Sample:(letter reply)

You are Akshya / Aakriti. You have been invited to participate in a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of Children’,
organised by the Lions Club of your district. Respond to the invitation by writing a letter to the Secretary of the club.

25, Aram Bagh Road

Meerut

5 May, 20XX

The Secretary

Lions Club, Meerut

Sub: Acceptance of Invitation

Sir,

Thanks for your invitation for a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of Children’, and your concern for the under-
privileged children. I would like to utilise this opportunity to share my experiences with other like-minded
enthusiasts and experts.

1 hereby confirm my participation in the seminar.

Yours sincerely
Akshya / Aakriti

Sample:2

Write a formal reply expressing your inability to attend the birthday celebrations of your friend Suresh Pradhan
of 1235, Vivekananda Marg, Belur. You are Somesh Basu.

Mr and Mrs Somesh Basu wish to thank Mr & Mrs Suresh Pradhan for extending an invitation to the birthday
celebrations of their son Akshay at their residence 1235, Vivekananda Marg, Belur on 20 March, 20XX and wish the
young boy many happy returns of the day but regret their inability to be present personally on account of some previous
engagements.
Somesh Basu
16 March, 20XX

Sample:3

You are Dr Avinash Bhalla. You have received an invitation from the Director, Health Services, Haryana who has
invited leading medical practitioners of the state to attend a workshop on ‘child care’ on 20 May, 20XX at 10 a.m.
in Civil Hospital Ambala. Respond to the invitation.

Dr Avinash Bhalla has a great pleasure in receiving the invitation from the Director, Health Services, Haryana to attend a
workshop on ‘Child Care’ on 20 May, 20XX at 10 a.m. in Civil Hospital Ambala.
He confirms his presence with thanks.
 Avinash Bhalla
16 March, 20XX

v 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 words)

Sample (informal reply)

You are Aakash / Varsha. You have been invited to attend the wedding of your friend’s sister during summer
vacation. Respond to the invitation, regretting your inability to attend it.

205, Vasant Kunj

New Delhi

4 March, 20XX

Dear Neha,

Thank you for your cordial invitation on the occasion of your sister’s wedding. I, however, regret my inability to be
with you on this happy occasion as we shall be leaving for Shimla for summer holidays on 1 May, 20XX. Please
excuse my absence. Do convey my regards and best wishes to the couple.

Yours sincerely
Varsha/Aakash
Sample :2 You are Arjun /Aparna. Your school has been invited to participate in an inter-school On-the-spot
painting competition organised by the Lions Club of your district. As General Secretary of the Painting Club of
your school, respond to the invitation.

D.N. Public School

Karnal

7 March, 20XX

The President
Lions Club
Karnal

Sir
This refers to your invitation to our school to participate in the inter-school on-the- spot painting competition. We
thank you for inviting us and gladly confirm our participation in this interesting competition.

Yours sincerely
Aparna / Arjun
General Secretary
Painting Club

Sample : 3

You have been invited to an evening bash at the Nirula’s by Vibhu, your close friend,
to celebrate his selection in NDA. Respond to the invitation. You are Nitin of 56, Gautama Enclave, New
Delhi-56. .

56, Gautama Enclave

New Delhi-110056

10 May, 20XX

Dear Vibhu
Thank you very much for your pleasant invitation. I’ll join the evening bash at Nirula’s on 16th May at 6 p.m.
With best wishes.
Yours sincerely
Nitin

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