Handout - 01

English Core (301)

Class: XII
Sending Invitations & Replies
(Formal And Informal Invitations)

INTRODUCTION
An invitation is a request, either written or spoken, to attend an event or participate in an
activity. The primary purpose of an invitation is to formally or informally invite individuals to
social occasions or public functions. It also helps the host to ascertain the number of guests for
arrangement purposes.

Invitations are of two types:

1. Formal Invitations
A. Card Format B. Letter Format
2. Informal Invitations
A. Letter Format
FORMAL INVITATION

Formal invitations are sent for the above-mentioned occasions, many people also send a
handwritten informal invitation beforehand to make these occasions more personal, cordial
and intimate as is appropriate to their relationship.

Formal Invitation- Card Format

1. Formal invitations are sent in official capacity for public functions except in the case of
Marriage/ Anniversaries.
2. Invitations are written in the third person. Example: Mrs. and Mr. S. Surendran request the
pleasure of the company of Mrs. and Mr. Rajkumar Sharma…………
3. Note that the English etiquette requires the husband's name to be written first. Example:
Mrs. and Mr. G Joseph
4. Avoid use of abbreviations for the names of guests, days, dates. However, the abbreviation
RSVP- “Respondez s'il vous plait” which means 'Please Reply' is put at the bottom.
5. The subject matter is written in the centre setting. Details like address, dress code or any
other instructions are written at the bottom to the left or the right as per choice or
convenience.
Sample 1-
Mrs. and Mr. Madan Sharma
solicit your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion
of the marriage of their granddaughter
SONALI
(Daughter of Mrs. Savita and Mr. Rahul Sharma)
with
SHRIDHAR
(Son of Mrs. Suman and Mr. Kapil Sharma)
on
Sunday, 17 December 20xx
at 7.30 p.m.
at
Red Carpet, Party Lawn, Preet Vihar, Marg, Delhi-110031
R.S.V.P. With best compliments from:
Mr. Rahul Sharma Vinod Sharma & All Relatives
B-36, Rajdhani Enclave,
Vikas Marg, Delhi
Ph.: 9868xxxxxx
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Sample 2- Your school is organizing the Annual Day next month in one of the prestigious auditoriums of your
city. Draft an invitation in not more than 50 words giving all the essential details. Do not forget to include
necessary instructions against mobile phones and cameras.

The Management, Staff and Students of

Government Model Sr. Sec. School, Chandigarh
cordially invite you in their ANNUAL
FUNCTION "TARANG"
On Saturday, 4 December 20xx at 6:00 p.m.
in
The National Auditorium.
Sh. Pramod Kumar
Secretary Higher Education, Ministry of HRD, Govt. Of India has kindly
consented to be the chief guest.

RSVP
Mr. Prakash Verma (Principal)
Phone: 9876xxxxxx
Instructions:
- The card admits two people only and Please be seated by 5:30 p.m.
- The use of mobile phones and cameras is prohibited

Formal Invitation-Letter Format

If meant for an individual (chief guest), then we write a formal letter of invitation to preside over / inaugurate /
judge events, etc.
• Include the name of the invitee
• It is written on run-on lines. The sentence is not broken into different words/phrases.
• Format same as that of a formal letter
• Other details are similar to the mass-scale invitations

Sample Question 1-
You are Neha / Nakul, the President of the English Literary and Cultural Society of Government Model Sr.
Sec. School, Sector 19, Chandigarh. You are organising an Inter Zonal Declamation Competition at the +2
level. You wish to invite Dr. Shailesh Gupta, an eminent educationist to preside over the event.
Answer:
Government Model Sr. Sec. School Sector-19
Chandigarh-205403

October 1, 2021
Invitation to be the chief guest at
Dr. Shailesh Gupta
….
212, Ajnara Hills
Chandigarh-205403
Subject: Invitation to Preside over Inter Zonal Declamation Competition
Sir,
The English Literary and Cultural Society of Government Model Senior Secondary School is organising an
English Declamation Competition on the topic 'Communication Skills are very Important in the Modern World'
on Monday, October 16, 20xx at 9:30 a.m. in the School Auditorium. Kindly consent to preside over the above
said programme and judge the event. Your esteemed presence will boost the morale of the students.

Waiting in anticipation!

Yours sincerely

NEHA AHUJA
(President, Literary Society)

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 INFORMAL INVITATION-LETTER FORMAT

Points to Remember-
• Informal invitations are written in the first person (I/We).
• The sender's address is written as usual but the receiver's address is not mentioned. The date
of writing the invitation is given.
• The salutation is 'Dear + name'.
• The complimentary close is 'Yours lovingly'.
• Various tenses of the verb are used according to the situation unlike the formal invitation.
The informal invitations do not ask for a reply unlike the formal invitations. However, it is
polite to reply to the invitation.
• The vocabulary is less formal. It is written in a warm and personalised tone. They are very
persuasive in nature.

Sample Question 1-
Your parents have completed 50 years of happy married life. Send an informal invitation to your
uncle, residing in Cochin, to join you in the Golden Jubilee celebration of their marriage at your
house.
Answer -
E-20, Raja Garden
Madurai-267105

10 December 20xx

Dear Uncle
With God’s grace I am fortunate to see the most momentous day of my life. My parents will be
completing 50 years of their happy and prosperous married life. We have planned to celebrate
their Golden-Jubilee on Sunday, 25 December, 20xx at 6 p.m. at our residence. It will be a simple
ceremony. Only family members and close friends are invited. Do join us on this auspicious day
to increase the joy multifold.

Yours lovingly
Yogesh

Sample 2-
You are Anuj / Anuja Goel. Write a letter of Invitation to invite all your friends for the party you
are giving to celebrate your selection in B-Tech in DTU.

Answer
C-42, Yojna Vihar
New Delhi-110021

10 September, 20xx

Dear Rahul,
As you know, I have got admission in B-Tech in DTU, so I am throwing a small party for family
and friends to celebrate my success and wish to invite you for the same as no celebration can be
completed without you- my best friend! Reach my residence on Sunday, 16 September, 20xx at
7.30 p.m. to rejoice in my moment of joy.

Yours lovingly
Anuj / Anuja.

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 Practice Questions

1. The Ministry of Travel and Tourism is organizing a week-long National Festival of Classical
Dances of India. On behalf of the Union Minister of Travel and Tourism, prepare a formal
invitation in about 50 words giving details about the chief guest, timings and venue of the
festival.

2. You have requested Major Amit Chauhan, Mayor, Ghaziabad to inaugurate your school fete.
As the Principal of Saint Mary School, Ludhiana, draft an invitation.

3. You are Neena/ Naveen of 21, Shakti Vihar Delhi. You have opened a departmental store in
Chandni Chowk. Draft an informal invitation to invite your friend to the inauguration
ceremony.

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