CBSE Class 7 English Informal Letters Notes Set 01

These Class 7 English notes explain what an informal letter is, why people write one, how to begin and end it, and the parts of its format with a labelled sample. They then give 15 sample family letters, including letters between parents and children, brothers and sisters, and replies to them.

Informal Letters

Letters written to friends and relatives are called informal letters. They are also known as personal letters. They are usually written in an informal language. The tone and style are usually familiar and intimate, depending upon the level of intimacy you have with the person you are writing to. Here, one should not use formal and elaborate sentences, instead short and loosely connected sentences should be used, that will give the letter a natural look. You may also use conversational idioms and colloquial expressions. Contracted forms like won’t, can’t, I’ll etc are also very common in personal letters.

An informal letter expresses the personality of the person who writes it. It should have a friendly tone and the reader should be able to feel the sentiments and feelings as he/she goes through it.

In informal letters we have covered following categories

I. Personal Letters (family letters, letter to relatives, letters to elderly people, love letters are covered in this category).
II. Social Letters (letter to friends, invitations, congratulatory letters and letters conveying good wishes, letters of apology, letters offering condolence and expressing sympathies, thank you letters are covered in this category).

Purpose of Writing an Informal Letter

The main purposes of writing an informal letter are

1. to express feelings and emotions.
2. to stay in contact with family and friends.
3. to send invitations, replies, thanksgiving etc.
4. to make personal complaints.
5. to communicate by expressing sympathy, feeling sorry, congratulating someone etc.

How to Begin an Informal Letter?

You can begin a letter with any of the following sentences if appropriate

1. I received your letter yesterday and was delighted to know that.
2. I have just received your letter and noted the contents.
3. I got your letter and was delighted to know that you are coming here on the next Sunday.
4. Everyone here was delighted to receive your much awaited letter yesterday. Your mother was filled with joy on receiving your letter yesterday.
5. Your delayed letter has been received by us just now and has removed our anxiety about your well being.

How to End an Informal Letter?

You may use any of the following sentences as a closing line, if appropriate

1. Please do write regularly.
2. Hope to get your reply soon.
3. Take care of your studies and do write every week without fail.
4. Rest is fine. Convey my regards to Mom.
5. I expect you to write regularly in future.

Tips for Writing an Informal Letter or How To Write an Effective Informal Letter

While drafting an informal letter, observing the following tips may be beneficial

1. Write as if you are speaking to the reader in person.
2. Do not hesitate in adopting your personal style while writing to close/intimate friends or relatives.
3. Add ‘Mr/Mrs/Ms’ post the word ‘Dear’ when writing to an acquaintance.
4. Always start with a good/interesting news you want to share so that the reader feels positively associated with you.
5. As there is no defined or set length for informal letters, try to keep it up to a page or a page and a half.
6. Maintain a logical order while expressing ideas or replying to someone’s queries.

Format of Informal Letter

Parts of Informal Letter

1. Senders’ Address It includes house number, street/area, pincode and country.
2. Date It includes the date on which the letter is written.
3. Salutation It is a customary greeting to the reader depending upon the intimacy between the writer and the reader.
4. Body of the Letter It includes the text that embodies the purpose of writing. It may consist one or more paragraph. Each paragraph focuses on a different idea/query/event.
5. Concluding Remarks This part indicates that the letter is going to end. A concluding remark like ‘love you’ or ‘missing you’ words can be written in this part.
6. Complimentary Closure It is a warm subscription for the reader. It is also followed by the name of the writer. The first word in the complimentary closure always starts with capital letter.
7. Signature Line It mentions the name of the writer. The handwritten signature goes above this line, below the closure.

I. Personal Letters

(a) Family Letters

These include letters which a person writes to his blood relations. Such letters generally include letters from home to children who are away or letters from relatives who are away and write it for people who are at home. Generally the letters are about well-being, or asking for money or permission or expressing your love and concern for your blood relative.

Letter from a father giving advice to his son who has taken admission in a college abroad

1/42, Aravali Vihar
Rajgarh (Alwar)
July 14, 20XX

My dear son

This is the first letter I am writing to you after you left for your higher studies. You are at the threshold of making and shaping your career. If you remain sincere towards your studies, you will get what you desire. These four years of sincerity and devotion may mould your career for good. You are venturing into a new phase of life where you will have to take your own decisions. There is no one to tell you to study or play or watch TV. You have to manage all your time by yourself.

I know that you will not disappoint me as far as your studies are concerned. But I want you to be careful as you are young and know little of the temptations and allurements that may come your way. Indulging in these distractive activities may not only deviate you from your path but will also destroy the hopes of your parents.

Companions influence ones’ character greatly : good companions make ones’ character and bad companions depolarise ones’ career. Choose friends who are sincere, honest and encouraging. Education plays very important role in the formation of character. Morals are of greater importance in life than material gains.

Being a wise boy, you know that the heights reached and kept, by great men, were not attained by sudden flight but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upwards in the night. Write to me regularly and unreservedly. Always look upon me as your best friend, hiding nothing, not even your mistakes or faults.

Your mother conveys you her fondest love.

Your affectionate father
RP Gupta

Letter from a son to his father expressing dislike of his present job

18, Link Road
Bhubaneshwar
August 18, 20XX

Dear Father

I received your letter yesterday asking me how I like my present job.

I hope you will take my reply in a positive way. Frankly speaking, I do not like my job. It is a routine clerical type work where no intelligence is required.

I have completed more than six months here and I find it as little to my taste as on the first day. I have tried my best to adjust to this work, but I feel quite unchallenged. I can’t adjust myself to this type of work.

I would rather like the work that challenges my intellect, polishes my skills and refines me as a team worker and a leader. I have applied for jobs at New Delhi in two MNCs and I think I’ll bag a new one soon.

Please don’t worry about all this. I’ll manage everything.

Love to all at home.

Your loving son
Hemant

Letter from a son to father, giving reasons for not getting married soon

101-E, Harinagar Colony
New Delhi
September 23, 20XX

My dear father

Received your letter day before yesterday. I am glad to know that Mom has recovered completely from fever.

It is clear that you want to free yourself from the responsibility of getting me married. But, if I am not misunderstood, I must say that I don’t want to get married right now.

I’ve just got a job and I’m also preparing for MBA. Getting married at this stage will not only ruin my career but will not be good for the bride as I’ll not be in a position to devote time to the new relationship.

I am not against marriage and I know whichever girl you will select for me will be the best, but getting married at this stage will be a very wrong decision. Please understand my position and give me one more year to shape my career.

Moreover, I need sufficient money to maintain a happy life. You have already spent a lot of money on my education and I would not like to put more burden on you.

I am sure you will agree with me. Excuse me for explaining my situation so plainly and frankly.

Convey my regards to Mom and love to Chunnu.

Your affectionate son
Praveen

Letter to younger brother advising him to take part in evening games

12, South West Block
Alwar
February 15, 20XX

My dear Tapan

I met your class teacher yesterday. I was glad to learn from him that you stood first in the class. But he also told me that you have become a bookworm. You do not take part in any kind of games. It is not good. It will affect your health.

I suggest you to take part in evening games of your choice. You must study but not at the cost of your health.

Playing games will refresh your mind and keep you physically fit. It will also help you in your studies. Maintaining a balance between studying and playing is important in order to achieve more and stay healthy.

With love!

Yours affectionately
Sapna

Letter to a father asking him for some money

415, Lajpat Nagar
Alwar (Rajasthan)
February 23, 20XX

My dear father

I hope this letter finds everybody at home in the best of health and happiness. I am well here. You might have received my progress report from the school.

You will be glad to know that I have secured first position in my terminal examination.

I assure you that I will maintain this position in the Annual Examination too. As you know my fees for the next quarter is due. Therefore, kindly send me Rs. 11000/- by bank draft at the earliest.

Please pay my respects to dear mother and convey my love and affection to Sanya and Rajiv.

Your loving son
Harsh

Letter to your mother telling her about your journey in a general compartment

23, Pratap Nagar, Chittorgarh
January 23, 20XX

My dear mother

You will be pleased to know that I reached here safe and sound yesterday. I reached the station at 7 pm. I had to wait for three hours, before the train arrived as it was late. As soon as the train stopped, I rushed towards it.

The atmosphere was noisy. There was a great crowd of passengers in front of all the general compartments, pushing and elbowing one another to board the train.

I pushed myself into a compartment with great difficulty but could not get a seat. For most of the journey, I had to keep standing. At Tundla, I got an upper berth and finally got some rest for a while. It was not at all easy to travel in a general compartment but as I had to make this journey in an emergency, I had no other option. Anyway, I will write again soon.

With regards to dear papa.

Your loving son
Ashish

Letter to a father, who is away from home

114-B, Panchsheel Marg, Udaipur
May 15, 20XX

My dear father

I just received your letter. We all are happy to know that you are well. You will be glad to know that Manu has passed his B.Sc Examination in first division.

Sangeeta Didi has been blessed with a son. Both, the mother and the baby, are quite well. Bobby has been ill since you left for Mumbai. He is under the treatment of Dr RP Gupta, who says that he will recover soon. So, there is no cause for anxiety. Mom is fine and busy taking care of all of us.

Kindly write to us when you are coming back home. We all are looking forward to your return.

Your loving son
Utsav

Letter to your father telling him about your plan to go to a village with a group of students to teach illiterate villagers

1215, Qutub Enclave
New Delhi
April 22, 20XX

Dear Daddy

I received your affectionate letter a couple of days ago, but I was busy with my examination and so I could not reply.

I am very happy to know that Sonu has been selected in IIT with a very good rank. Please, congratulate him on my behalf. He deserves the kudos.

As I informed you earlier, my annual examinations would be over on 29th April. On 30th April, I, as a part of a team of ten students, am planning to go to a nearby village Hatina, to teach the illiterate villagers.

The team will be headed by our professor Dr Pannikaran. We will teach them how to read and write Hindi. We will also train them to write their signatures.

Illiteracy is a curse in our society. Many problems and hardships faced by the poor villagers are because of their illiteracy. Our tour will not only help them, but it will also be beneficial for us to get a first hand knowledge of rural problems. I will write to you about our detailed programme later on. Everything is fine at my end. I am preparing well for my annual examinations too.

Convey my deep regards to mom and congratulations to Sonu once again.

Your loving daughter
Anchal

Letter to your mother expressing your concern and happiness on improvement in her health

15, Prem Kuteer
Near Bus Stand
Jabalpur (MP)
November 3, 20XX

My dear mom

Your letter dated 29th October is in hand. I am delighted to know that you are now quite fit and healthy. I was very worried about your health.

I’d like to request you to take care of yourself. Your health is more important than any other thing for all of us. So please don’t neglect your health. I am fine. Richa is good too. She conveys her deep regards to you. We are planning to visit you during winter vacation. How is Papa? What about his promotion? Convey my regards to him.

Please do write regularly without fail.

Your loving son
Piyush

Reply from a mother to her son for above

9/B, Mathura Gate
New Delhi-110031
November 14, 20XX

Dear Piyush

I was in receipt of your letter dated 3rd November. I noted your concern about my health. I am quite well now and taking full care of my health. I have started taking ‘Yoga’ classes at a ‘Yoga’ Institute, opened recently near your father’s office. It has given me great relief and confidence to lead my life in a healthy manner. So relax and enjoy your life. Your father and I both go for a walk in evening. It keeps us fit.

Your father is expecting a promotion near the financial year ending. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

Do write about your exact programme of coming here. Looking forward to it. Love to you and Richa.

Your loving mom
Kumkum

Letter to your father about your sister’s result and how other family members are

15/B, Manastalla Lane, Kidderpore
Kolkata 700023
July 18, 20XX

Dear Daddy

I’ve just got your letter. In fact, I had been anxiously waiting for news from home for last two days. I was worried about Shruti’s result of class XII. I am delighted to know that she has secured 2nd position in the district and got the highest marks in Social Studies in the CBSE board.

How is mom doing? I hope she is regularly attending her yoga classes and both you and mom are going for an evening walk. How is dear grandfather? I hope he is keeping good health and goes for morning laughter club regularly?

What is Shruti’s future plan? Is she interested in pursuing her fashion designing course or attend normal college?

I will be visiting home during autumn break. Oh! I forgot to share one good news. I have secured highest marks in English in first semester and I have been selected as a member of English Literary Society of my college.

My regards to all the elders and love to Shruti.

Your loving son
Aayushman

Reply from a father to his son for above

Jay Palace, Mandir Marg
Jaipur, Rajasthan
December 23, 20XX

My dear Aayushman

I received your letter yesterday. Everyone here is delighted to know that you’ve secured highest marks in English in the University in the first semester. You have kept your promise and shown your worth. Congratulations to you. You really deserve it. Keep it up.

Your mom and Shruti are fine. Shruti is more interested in pursuing fashion designing career and she is preparing for its entrance test which is really competitive.

Your grandfather is doing fine and is sending his blessings to you. Your mom and I may be visiting you in the coming month for two days. I will let you know our exact programme. Take care of your studies and health. With blessings from all of us.

Your father
Suresh Mittal

Letter to your father in response to his concern about your job and life at a new place

16/J Ansari Road, New Delhi
January 21, 20XX

My dear papa

I have just received your letter and without any further loss of time I am replying to the same.

First of all, I am sorry for not writing to you for the last one and a half months. I am extremely apologetic for such a lapse and assure you that this shall not repeat in future under any circumstance.

Actually, I have been keeping very busy in a new assignment here. I’ve found it to be very interesting and it suits my taste as well. There is a lot to learn here.

I had started to write to you twice but failed. Whatever may be the reason, it is my fault for not writing to you.

Everything else is fine. All are good and very cooperative here. I miss you all a lot. Convey my regards to Mom and Sharma Aunty.

Yours affectionately
Surabhi

Letter from a brother to his newly married sister

29, Columbia Road
Nagpur
August 29, 20XX

Dear Shanu

Hope this letter finds you and Jijajee in the best of health. Ever since you left for Mumbai along with Jijajee, no news from your side. I hope you are fine and have adjusted to the new surroundings and new responsibilities. Please do inform us about your new place and do write to us regularly as all of us miss you so much.

I would like to know what has kept you so busy that you did not get time to write to us for such a long time. We all miss you a lot. I hope you have adjusted well in your new life. Do write without any further delay. Blessings from mummy and papa.

Your loving brother
Sanjeev

Reply from a sister to her brother

164/B Rana Pratap
New Delhi
September 1, 20XX

My dear brother

I am very much delighted to receive your first letter just now. First of all, I apologise for my inability to write any letter. Actually, after our arrival in Mumbai, we became very busy in shopping for our necessities for the new home, visiting various places in Mumbai and in attending dinners hosted by the friends of your Jijajee.

But it is indeed my mistake that I couldn’t write any letter. How can I forget my family-mom, papa and you? I also miss you all. I promise to write regularly now.

Rest is fine here. Your Jijajee takes full care of me. He conveys his regards to Mom and Dad and love to you.

Your loving sister
Shanu