How Do You Write an Informal Letter to Someone?

Writing an informal letter is all about connecting authentically with someone you know, sharing updates, thoughts, and feelings in a relaxed, conversational style, much like having a casual chat on paper. It's a fantastic way to maintain personal relationships and share a piece of yourself.

Embracing the Casual Tone

The key to a great informal letter is to let your natural voice shine through. Unlike formal correspondence, informal letters are meant to be read in a relaxed, casual way. This means you have the freedom to be yourself!

• Conversational Language: Use language you'd typically use when speaking to the person. This creates a more personable feel.
• Contractions: Feel free to use contractions (e.g., don't, it's, we're) to make your writing sound more natural and less stiff.
• Figures of Speech: Don't shy away from using idioms, slang (if appropriate for your relationship), or other figures of speech that reflect your personality.
• Hypothetical Questions: Injecting questions like "Wouldn't it be great if...?" or "Can you imagine...?" can make the letter feel more interactive.
• Inside Jokes & Shared Memories: Including an inside joke or referencing a past shared experience is a wonderful way to deepen the personal connection and evoke smiles.

Remember, the goal is for the reader to feel like they're hearing directly from you, not reading a formal document.

Essential Components of an Informal Letter

While informal letters are flexible, they generally follow a basic structure that helps organize your thoughts and makes the letter easy to read.

Starting Your Letter: The Warm Greeting

Begin with a friendly salutation that reflects your relationship with the recipient.

• Common Examples:
  • Dear [Friend's Name],
  • Hi [Name],
  • Hello [Name],
  • Dearest [Name], (for very close relationships)
  • Hey there [Name],
• Opening Lines: After the greeting, jump straight into a friendly opening. You can ask how they are, reference their last letter, or state why you're writing.
  • How have you been?
  • It was so good to hear from you!
  • Just wanted to drop you a line and say hello.
  • Hope you're doing well!

The Body: Sharing Your News and Thoughts

This is where you'll share updates, ask questions, and truly engage with your friend or family member.

• Paragraph Structure: Use separate paragraphs for different topics to keep your letter organized and easy to follow.
• What to Include:
  • Your News: Share what's been happening in your life – big events, small anecdotes, funny stories, or daily happenings.
  • Ask Questions: Show interest in their life by asking about their family, work, hobbies, or recent experiences. This keeps the conversation flowing.
  • Respond to Their Last Letter: If they wrote to you, address points they made or questions they asked.
  • Express Feelings: Feel free to share your emotions, whether it's excitement, humor, or a bit of sadness.
  • Future Plans: Mention plans to meet up, or express a wish to see them soon.

Concluding Your Letter: A Friendly Farewell

Wrap up your letter with a closing paragraph that expresses your well wishes and reiterates your desire to stay in touch.

• Examples:
  • That's all for now, but I'll write again soon.
  • Looking forward to hearing from you!
  • Hope to see you next time I'm in town.
  • Take care and keep in touch!
  • Anyway, I should probably go now.

Signing Off: Your Personal Touch

Choose a closing that matches the warmth and informality of your relationship. This is followed by your name.

• Common Closings:
  • Best,
  • Warmly,
  • Lots of love,
  • Cheers,
  • Talk soon,
  • Yours,
  • Love,
  • See ya,
  • Sincerely, (slightly more formal, but still acceptable for close friends)

Optional: The Postscript (P.S.)

Sometimes, you might remember something important or funny after signing off. A "P.S." (Postscript) is a casual way to add a quick thought.

• Example: P.S. Don't forget about our picnic next week!

Tips for Crafting a Memorable Informal Letter

To make your informal letters truly special and effective, consider these insights:

• Be Genuine: Authenticity is key. Your reader will appreciate your honesty and personal touch.
• Handwritten vs. Typed: While typed emails are common, a handwritten letter often carries more weight and personal effort, making it a cherished keepsake for the recipient. For more tips on general letter writing, check out this guide.
• Proofread Quickly: Even though it's informal, a quick read-through can catch obvious typos or grammatical errors that might distract from your message. Don't stress over perfection, but aim for clarity.
• Don't Overthink It: The beauty of informal letters is their spontaneity. Don't worry about perfect grammar or elaborate vocabulary. Just write as if you're speaking to your friend.
• Send a Photo: Enclosing a relevant photo can add a wonderful visual element to your letter, bringing your stories to life.
• Be Timely (but not rigid): While there's no strict deadline, responding within a reasonable timeframe shows you value the correspondence.

Quick Reference: Informal Letter Structure