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What is letter writing?

This is the art of expressing yourself to someone you know, or you do not know, on a piece of paper. In this case, the message being conveyed is received as though you are talking directly to the personyou have addressed the letter to.

There are two types of letters.

• Informal letters
• Formal letters

Informal letter

• Informal letters are also called personal or friendly letters.
• They are the kind of letters you would write to your parents, relatives and friends.
• They are called informal because you can write them in your own way and say what you want in them.

Why do we write informal letters?

• make an apology to a friend
  

• invite a friend to a party
  

• wish somebody good luck
  

• give condolences

• arrange a meeting, a visit or a tour
• ask for a favour
• start an old friendship afresh
• make a pen-pal
• say thank you
• express sympathy
• accept or turn down an invitation
• give some information
• congratulate someone

A friendly letter takes the following form:

• Indented or block style of address can be used.

• It has one address – (the sender’s) at the top right hand side of the letter.

• Does not require reference.

• One can express himself or herself widely unlike in an official letter.
• Signature not necessary at times.
• You can salute by name or relationship for example: Dear Jane, Dear cousin, Dear mother.

ACTIVITY

• Visit this eLimu link to see a sample of an informal letter.

• http://learn.e-limu.org/topic/view/?c=27