Hello baby girl,
It has been ages!
You forgot about me. Well, I am doing quite well and I have some juicy git.
Hit me up if you’d love to hear it.
Yours for life,
Chichi.
Can you send that to your employer? I bet not. But you can send it to your buddies and some Gen Z parents.
It is called an informal letter and that will be the basis of our discussion in this article.
What Is an Informal Letter?
Informal letters are private messages sent to friends and relatives to let them know how your life is going and to show your regards.
Typically, an informal letter is addressed to a friend, member of the family, or intimate acquaintance. An informal letter uses informal, personal language.
How to Write an Informal Letter?
The Essential Format for Informal Letters
These are the key elements you will find in an informal letter.
See also: How To Write An Application Letter to a Hotel in Nigeria With No Experience
1. Your Address and Date
The first thing written in an informal letter is the address, which is found on the left-hand side of the page, usually at the top.
Write the full sender’s address on the left-hand side so that the recipient can write back the letter if he wishes.
It is best to write your complete address, including your street name, neighborhood, and city. Below the address, write the date in a clear format, like “21st June, 2024.”
2. Salutation
The salutation should be friendly. Some common ones are;
Dear
Dearest
My Dearest
Hi
If you are writing to a friend who is quite close but is older than you, the best form of salutation is Dear Mr, Mrs, Ms Ken (their name). This is particularly helpful if the person is of a superior rank to you.
3. Introduction and The Body of the Letter
Do the honors by giving a warm introduction. Tell them how you’ve been and make it cheerful.
After the introduction, it is time to fill them in on the gist. This can be anything, actually, the main reason you’re writing.
Remember to ask after the recipient as well, show an interest in their well-being, what they’ve been up to, and anything else you’d like to know.
Use conversational language, one that would sound as though you’re having a physical chat with a buddy. You can include slang you both understand.
Don’t be afraid to add humor, share your emotions, or write about things that matter to you.
4. Conclusion
End the informal letter in a friendly tone. The words should make the recipient feel like you’ve had a nice chat. You can also let them know you are expecting a response.
Wrap up your letter with a friendly closing like;
Take care,
Write back soon,
Sending my love,
All the best,
Can’t wait to hear from you!
5. Signature
Keep it cool, sign off with your first name or a nickname, depending on your relationship with the recipient.
You can use the following in informal letters to relatives and near friends: Yours affectionately, Yours lovingly, Your loving friend, With love, etc., followed by your name.
If you are writing to a close acquaintance whom you have addressed as Dear Mr, Mrs, etc., you can use Yours sincerely, Kind regards, etc.
How to Write an Informal Letter in Nigeria | Format, Samples, and Tips
Here are a few informal letter samples to get your creative juices flowing:
Sample 1: Catching Up with a Friend
15 Awolowo Road, Lagos
21st June, 2024
Dear Aisha,
How are you doing? I hope this letter finds you well.
Things here in Lagos have been quite busy! Work at the bakery has been keeping me on my toes, but I finally perfected that new recipe for chin-chin you were asking about. It came out absolutely delicious, and I can’t wait for you to try it next time you visit.
Speaking of visiting, have you made any plans for the Sallah break yet? Maybe we could finally do that trip to Ibadan we’ve been talking about for ages! Let me know what your schedule looks like.
Anyway, enough about me! Tell me everything about what’s been happening with you. How’s the new job going? Did you manage to convince your brother to let you get that pet parrot you wanted?
Write back soon, and don’t be a stranger!
Sending you lots of love,
Deola
Sample 2: Birthday Wishes to an Aunt
23 Oko Road, Abuja
21st June, 2024
Dearest Aunty Ngozi,
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a truly wonderful day filled with joy, laughter, and of course, plenty of delicious cake.
I can’t believe you’re another year older! You seem to get younger and more fabulous every year. I remember all the fun times we used to have during the holidays at your place, and I cherish those memories dearly.
Thank you for always being such a supportive and caring aunt. Your advice has always been invaluable to me, and I feel so lucky to have you in my life.
I can’t wait to celebrate with you properly soon. Maybe we can plan a visit sometime after the rainy season calms down? In the meantime, please give yourself a well-deserved treat on your special day.
Sending you the biggest birthday hug and all my love.
Love always,
Chiommy
Sample 3: Letter to a Cousin Abroad
14 Murtala Muhammed Way, Kano
21st June, 2024
Hi Wale,
How’s it going all the way over in Canada? I hope you’re settling in well and surviving the cold weather (we can’t even imagine what that’s like!).
Things here in Kano are pretty much the same old, same old. School keeps me busy, but I did manage to score the winning goal in our recent football match! You wouldn’t believe the celebrations – everyone went wild!
Speaking of celebrations, guess what? We’re finally getting that new amusement park everyone’s been talking about. I can’t wait to try out the roller coaster – maybe it’ll be as good as the one you went on at that theme park you mentioned in your last email.
Anyway, enough about me. Tell me all about what life is like in Canada. Have you made any new friends? What are some of the things you miss most about Nigeria?
Write back soon and don’t forget to send some pictures!
Missing you tons,
Baby bro.
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Tips for Writing Memorable Informal Letters
Now that you’ve got the format and some samples down, here are some extra tips to make your informal letters truly shine:
Personalize your letter: Don’t be too casual, mention some insider jokes the recipient understands. This adds a special touch and shows you put extra thought into your message.
Use clear language: Don’t just tell, show! Describe your experiences and feelings using descriptive words and imagery.
Be yourself: Let your personality shine through in your writing. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Write as though you were talking to them physically.
Proofread carefully: Typos and grammatical errors can detract from your message. Take a moment to review your letter before sending it out.
Related Post: 10 Proofreading Tips That Can Help You Be a Better Freelance Writer
FAQ on How to Write An Informal Letter Format
An informal letter should include:
The Sender’s address
Date
Greeting/Salutation
Introduction
Body of the letter
Conclusion
Signature
Start by greeting the person and conveying regards. You can then state the purpose of your letter.
A formal letter is written in a professional manner where you directly state the intent of your letter and what you expect; whereas, an informal letter can be written to anyone whom you are close to about anything you want to share.
Conclusion
Remember that heading, salutation, introduction, body, closing, and signature are the parts of an informal letter.
References
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