1) - The Meaning of Personal Letter: Relatives, and Acquaintances

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Personal Letter
1). The meaning of Personal Letter
 A personal letter is a type of letter (or informal letter) that usually concerns personal
matters such as personal feeling, thought, or experience (rather than professional
concerns) and is sent from one individual to another.(Richard Nordquist:
https://www.thoughtco.com/personal-letter-composition-1691499)
 Written to people we know such as friends, relatives, and acquaintances.
 Various electronic communication innovations over the past several decades, such
as email and texting, have contributed to a decline in the practice of personal letter
writing. People communicate with others around the country and world through
social media outlets.
2). Structure of personal letter
Common format of a formal invitation:
 The Sender’s address

Place where you are writing from including the street and the number street itself,
city, post code, and province.
 Date
When the letter is written.
 Salutation and name of recipient
Greeting and the recipient’s name.
For example:
“Dear”
“My Dear …”
“My Love”
“Sweetheart”
“Hi/Hello…”
 Introductory Paragraph/Introduction
The opening of the letter usually started with
“how are you?”
“how are you doing?”
“how is it going?”
“hello … nice to see you there.”
“hi, long time no see. How are you?”
“How have you been?”
“how are things?”
“hope you’re well”
“sorry for the delayed reply”
“sorry for answering late”
 Body Paragraph/Content of the letter
The main part of the letter including what you want to write to the other person.
 Closing Paragraph/closure
Indicates the letter is going to end.
Usually starts with
“reply soon”
“I’ll see you soon”
“I’m waiting for a quick reply”
“see you”
“Your Friend”
“From”
“Cheers”
 Complementary Close
Short expression
“lots of love. XOXO”
“Big hug”
“love you”
“warm regards”
 Signature
A handwritten (and often stylized) of someone's name, nickname or other mark that
a person writes on documents as a proof of identity.
 P.S. (Post Script)
If you want to add anything to the letter, you write the P.S.(PostScript) and the
message after that.
3) Social Function
 To inform and strengthen the bond between the sender and the recipient.
 To convey personal opinion or interest.
4) Some useful expressions of writing personal letter
 Gratitude
 I’m just writing to thank you for …..
 It was very kind of you …..
 Thanks very much of …..
 I am very grateful for …..
 Giving advice
 Well, I thought about it and if I were you, I would ….
 Have you thought about …
 I think you shouldn’t ….
 Delivering good news
 I am sure you will be happy to hear that….
 OMG!!! You will never guess what happened
 I am excited to hear that…
 delivering bad news
 I am sorry but I have to tell you …
 I am extremely sorry that ….
 Asking for help
 I wonder if you could help me
 I hope it’s not too much to ask that …
 Apologizing
 I would like to apologize for…
 I am sorry that….
5) Types of Personal Letters
 Family letter
Written to family members to share the recent news.
 Pen Friend/Pen Pal Letter
Written to a pen friend to
 Fan Mails
Written to someone you admire
 Holiday
 Celebration Letter
 Farewell letter
Written to say good bye and good luck to someone who is moving somewhere else
or changing school.
 Get well letter
Written to wish someone a speedy recovery from illness.
 Condolence letter
Written to show sympathy, usually for the death of someone close to the recipient.
You say sorry for their loss.
 Congratulation letter
Written to congratulate someone on his/her birth, wedding, achievement or award.
 Thank you letter
Written to show your appreciation/gratitude to someone.
 Love letter
Written to show your love or care for someone.
6) Linguistic Characteristics
 Sentence Structure
Accuracy of grammar may be more important than an email. Most of the time,
complete sentence are expected.
 Style
Language use may be personal.
For example, first and second person pronouns may be frequently used.
Is not as formal as formal letter.
 Allowed to use contractions
Example : he’s, she’s, haven’t, they’re
 Although the tone of your letter is informal, please take note
•Do not use offensive language
• Use grammatically correct sentences
7) The Example of Personal Letter

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 The Sender’s address

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