PERSONAL

LETTER
WORKSHEET

FOR XI GRADERS
SMK MUHAMMADIYAH KRAMAT
Brainstorming
Guiding questions.
1. Have you ever sent a letter?
2. To whom did you send the letter?
3. Why did you send the letter?
4. What are the characteristics of informal letter?
5. What do you know about personal letter?
6. What are people’s purposes of writing personal letters?
7. What should you display when writing personal letters?
8. To Whom do people send personal letters?

1. Definition and Social functions

Definition

Personal letter is a type of letter which provides communication between two

people. This kind of letter usually concerns personal matters.

Social functions

1. To inform about personal reference.

2. To invite someone
3. To apology
4. To express gratitude
5. To congratulate
6. To give symphathy,etc.

2. Language features
Language in personal letter

Sentence structure 1. Accuracy of grammar is important.

2. Complete sentences are expected.
3. Slang can be used.
4. Using Contractions such as “I’ll”,”I’m”,”well”.
5. Using personal pronouns such as “as”,”I”,”we”,”you”.
6. Using active voice.

Style: 1. Language use may be personal like first and second

person pronouns.
2. Being warm.
3. Using person’s name you are writing to.
4. Various sentence length.
5. Being written in a natural, conversational style.
6. Let your personality shine through in your writing.
 (Source: Bly, 2004)

Introductory Body Paragraph Closing Paragraph

Paragraph
Starting the letter Moving the topic Ending the letter
1. How are you? on 1. Well, that’s all for now.
2. How are things?
3. Hope you’re well. 1. Anyway, the 2. Reply soon.
4. Thanks for your letter. reason I’m
writing ... 3. Looking forward to hearing
2. I thought I’d from you again.
write to tell/ask
you ... 4. I am looking forward to
3. Anyway, I was seeing you soon.
wondering that 5. My best wishes for you and
... your family.
6. See you.
7. I’ll write soon.
8. I’ll have to stop now.
9. I’m waiting for a quick reply.

Commenting on the
topic
1. Lovely to hear from
you.
2. It was so good to hear
from you.
3. Sorry for answering
late.
4. I’m sorry I should
have written earlier.
5. Haven’t heard from
you in a while so I
thought ...
6. I’m sorry to
hear/learn ...
7. I’m so pleased to hear
...
8. It’s great to hear ...
9. What wonderful news
about ...
 No. Functions Some useful expressions for letter writing

1. Gratitude a. I’m just writing to thank you for ...

b. It was very kind of you to ...
c. Thanks very much for ...
d. I am very grateful for ...

2. Giving advice a. Well, I thought about it and if I were you, I

would ...
b. Have you thought about ...
c. In your last letter you said you weren’t sure
what course of action to take, I suggest ...
d. I think you shouldn’t ...
e. In your last letter you asked me about ..., I
think ...

3. Delivering good news a. I’m sure you will be happy to hear that ...
b. I’m sure that you’ll be interested to know that
...
c. By the way, did you know that ...?
d. I’m totally ecstatic to hear about ...
e. I was happy beyond limits to read that ...

4. Delivering bad news a. I’m sorry but I have to tell you that ...
b. Bad news, I am afraid, but no way to avoid it,
so here it goes ...
c. I’m extremely sorry to hear that ...
d. It was heart wrenching to read about ...

5. Asking for help a. I wonder if you could help me.

b. I hope it’s not too much to ask but ...
c. I wonder if I could ask you a favor. Could you
...?

6. Apologizing a. I would like to apologize for ...

b. I’m so sorry that ...
c. Words are not enough to erase the pain I have
given you but I want to say how sorry I am ...

3. Generic structures
Structure of Personal Letter

Date Place where you are writing from (top right).

Address Place where you are writing from (top right).

Salutation & Name Greeting and the person’s name you are writing to

Introduction The opening of the letter usually starts with how are you or
 refers to previous letter.

Body The main part of kthe letter. It includes what you want to
write to the other person.

Closure The part indicates the letter is going to end.

Complimentary close Short expressions like “love you”, “sincerely

yours”,”love’.

Signature Signature or initials of the writer.

Poscript P.S. after thought in a letter. You begin with P.S. and end it
with your initials.

Example of expressions used in personal letters

Salutations “Dear”, “Dearest”, “sweetheart”,”darling”,”My dear”,”My love” etc.

Salutation depend on how well you know the person you are writing
to.

Closing “Yours”,”with love”,”sincerely yours”,”all the love”,”all the

best”,”affectionately”,”much love”,”best wishes”.

Starting How are you?

the letter Hope this letter finds you ...
Thank you for your last letter.
It was so good to hear from you.
Sorry for answering late.
I’m sorry I should have written earlier ...
Haven’t heard from you in a while so I thought ...
I am sorry to inform you that ...

Conclusion I am looking forward to seeing you soon.

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
My best wishes for the coming test.
See you.
I will write soon.
I will have to stop now.
I am waiting for a quick reply.
Looking forward to seeing you again.
Bye.
D1. Observing
Activity 1: Look at these pictures. Read the text and write some informations that you get from
the personal letter such as difficult words.

1. Have you ever seen this picture? 1. Have you ever written in the envelope?
2. Where did you find these picture? 2. To whom did you send your letter?
The example of a personal letter:

(Taken from http://auspost.com.au/education/ourpost/media/images/letter-friends.gif)

 Vocabulary
Write the difficult words look for their meanings.
No. Words Meaning
1. receive get or accept

D2. Questioning
Guiding questions

No. Personal Letter 1 The students’ questions

1. Where did Kyle send the letter? Address
2. When did Kyle send the letter? Date
3. To whom did Kyle send the letter? Salutation & name
4. How did Kyle give greeting to Rebbeca? Introduction
5. How did Kyle deliver her purposes to Body
Rebbeca?
6. How did Kyle close her letter? Closure
7. How did Kyle give compliment to Rebbeca? Complimentary close

8. How did Kyle give sign in her letter? Signature

9. How did Kyle add anything in her leter? Postscript
10. What is the purpose of the letter? Social function
11. How did Kyle tell about her Postie Kate Expression of delivering good news
Paper?
12. How did Kyle ask Rebbeca to send the photo Expression of asking for help
of her new dog?
D3. Experimenting
Personal Letter 1
Exercise 1: Identify social function and the generic structure of personal letter 1. Write the
number and explanation for each part of personal letter 1.

Kompleks Tiga Tujuh no. 60

Surabaya
10 June 2016
Didi
Jln. Rumah Baru no. 13
Surabaya

Dear Didi,

We are delighted to hear that you get into the Department of Economics in University of
Labu. It is one of the toughest program to get into in the country. We must say that we are
impressed. Remember those nights without sleep? You’ve made it.

But remember that getting into it is not enough. You still have four years of hard work in
the future. In the meantime, you should have some celebrations. We have a special gift
only for you. I hope it will be useful.

Love,

Uncle and Aunt Wijaya

(Taken from http://www.zenius.net/c/5745/module?utm_source=module&utm_medium=pdf&utm_campaign=footer)

Social Function:

Exercise 2: Identify the expressions in personal letter 1 into introductory paragraph, body
paragraph, or closing paragraph.
No. Part of paragraphs Sentences
1. Introductory paragraph

2. Body paragraph

3. Closing paragraph
Personal Letter 2
Exercise 1: Identify social function and the generic structure of personal letter 2. Write the
number and explanation for each part of personal letter 2.

Kompleks Tiga Tujuh no.8

Surabaya

10 June 2016

Restoran Indah Jaya

Jln. Rumah Baru no. 13
Surabaya

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to complain of the service I received from your restaurant, Indah Jaya, on
June 1, 2016.
My family and I were standing in line during lunchtime, which were crowed. After half
an hour, I had noticed that your staff took several groups of people to their tables. The
problem was that those people arrived after us. I confronted your staff, but the staff said
that they had reserved the tables.
As I was waiting, I started to notice a pattern. I could see that your staff received some
tips from people. After receiving some gratuities, your staff would take those
customers to the tables. I hadn’t know that your restaurants had a fast lane. Because I
felt furious after knowing the truth, I wrote down the staff’s name, which was Lisa Cole,
and decided to write you a letter instead.
I trust this is not the way your restaurant conduct business. This treatment is unfair. This
needs to stop. I would like your restaurant to do something about it.

Yours,

Mrs. Tina Gonzales

(Taken from http://www.zenius.net/c/5745/module?utm_source=module&utm_medium=pdf&utm_campaign=footer)

Social function :

Exercise 2: Identify the expressions in personal letter 1 into introductory paragraph, body
paragraph, or closing paragraph.
No. Part of paragraphs Sentences
1. Introductory paragraph

2. Body paragraph
3. Closing paragraph

Personal Letter 3
Exercise 1: Identify social function and the generic structure of personal letter 3. Write the
number and explanation for each part of personal letter 3 .

My Dear Mother,

I am fine here and hope the same for you.

I would like to tell you about my studies. My annual exams are expected to be held in
the month of March 2012. I am preparing with heart and soul for the achievement of
higher grade in the exam. My subject teachers are very co-operative and they have
started taking extra periods in the College.

Physics and Mathematics are the subjects of my main interest. My science practical is in
progress and practical exams will be held after theory. I expect that I would achieve “A-
One” grade in my exam.

I hope that all of you would be all right.

Love,

Ken

(Taken from http://letterforsuccess.blogspot.co.id/2012/06/write-letter-to-your-mother-informing.html)

Social Function:

Exercise 2: Identify the expressions in personal letter 1 into introductory paragraph, body
paragraph, or closing paragraph.
No. Part of paragraphs Sentences
 1. Introductory paragraph

2. Body paragraph

3. Closing paragraph

Personal Letter 4
Exercise 1: Identify social function and the generic structure of personal letter 4. Write the
number and explanation for each part.

Dear Susan,

Please accept my most sincere apology for my behaviour last week. I have thought long
and hard about what happened and I realize how very upset you must have been.
I am really sorry for creating the situation which I know I should have handled better. I
admit that I was in the wrong and can only say how sorry I am. I can promise you that this
will never happen again and hope that you will give me the opportunity to prove this to
you.
I understand that it might be difficult for you to accept my apology but hope that this letter
will help.
I will call you later this week to apologize, personally and hope that you will be able to
give me another chance.

Kind regards,
Dewanti

(Taken from Bahasa Inggris untuk SMA/MA dan SMK/MAK Kelas XI Semester 1)

Social Function:
Exercise 2: Identify the expressions in personal letter 1 into introductory paragraph, body
paragraph, or closing paragraph.
No. Part of paragraphs Sentences
1. Introductory paragraph

2. Body paragraph

3. Closing paragraph

Exercise 3: Arrange these jumbled sentences into three personal letters in three forms (letter
paper, postcard, and e-mail). Put a squence of number for the correct order of paragraph.
Stick these on the paper that you have got.
Personal letter 5
Best regard, Mutia.

January 27th, 2017

What do you plan for the next holiday? Please, write back and tell me!

Dear, Riana

By the way, we are going to have a show next holiday. We plan to practice
dancing regularly for the show. I have registered my team for the show and we
start to practice next weekd. It is useful to spend holidays, right?

It has been a while since we met. How are you? How is your twin? I really miss
you both. I remember when I met your twin. I didn’t know that Ryan was your
twin. I thought he was your old brother. I called him politely before.

Riana
12 Flower Avenue
Los Angeles

(Taken from Bahasa Inggris untuk SMA/MA dan SMK/MAK Kelas XI Semester 1)
Personal letter 6

I am really sorry for what all I did yesterday. You know that how I am and
get angry easily but I had no intentions to hurt you. It was just a coincidence
to which I reacted adversely.

Your friend,
Mila Artika

I value your friendship and you have been my best friend since our
childhood days, I understand that you have every reason to be angry with me,
but I am hopeful that you will forgive and forget the fight.
Keeping in mind our old friendship I am sure that you will forget the fight
as you are not childish like me. Please accept my apology because our
friendship is highly regarded compared to these small fights. I am expecting a
friendly reply from you soon.

For instance I was not aware that it was your silly bantering and rather I
took it up more seriously and behaved unreasonably which I know is not
acceptable. I am embarrased thinking of the scenario to which I reacted so
badly.

Palembang, October 18th , 2014

Dear Roger

(Taken from: http//www.sampleemails.org/emotional-friendship-email.html (June 12, 2014)

 Personal letter 7

How are you? Sorry that I haven’t written to you for so long. We just
moved into a new house and we’ve been really busy getting settled.

Dear Maya

The house is located in a suburb and has a good neighborhood. The air is
still fresh and it’s peaceful. There’s also a nearby market and a few small, but
good food stalls. This place is also reachable by public transport.

It’s a nice house and bigger than our old one. The rooms are quite spacious
so they are comfortable to live or work in. My new house has a big living room,
two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Another thing I like is the kitchen. It also
has large yard where several trees grow.

We really enjoy living here. Do come over and have a look next time you
are in town. I’ll wait.

Best regards,
Bisma

(Taken from Bahasa Inggris untuk SMA/MA dan SMK/MAK Kelas XI Semester 1)

4. Capitalization, spelling and punctuation.

Tips for writing

1. Use a capital letter to start a sentence.
2. Use a question mark (?) at the end of a question.
3. Use a comma (,) in a list.
4. Use full stop (.) to end a sentence.
5. Use contractions in informal writing (‘)
6. Write correct spelling
For example : B-e-s-t w-i-s-h-e-s, B-e-s-t r-e-g-a-r-d-s
 Activity 2: There are mistakes in the following expressions. The mistakes include the
grammatical and structure errors. Identify the mistakes and then rewrite the
correct letter.
1. we are delihtged to hear that you get into the department of economics in university of labu
2. remember those nights witout sleep
3. because i felt furious after knowing the truth I wrote down the staff’s name which was lisa
cole, and decided to write you a letter instead
4. physics and mathematics are the subjects of my main interest
5. sorry that I havent written to you for so long

D4. Associating
Exercise 4: Do in your group. Arrange a personal letter to introduce yourself. Take turn
with your friends in your group to write the part. Think about these
questions:
1. What’s your name?
2. How old are you?
3. Where are you from?
4. What language (s) do you speak?
5. What do you like doing?
6. Do you have a pet?

D5. Creating and Communicating

Exercise 5: Write a personal letter to your member of family. You can choose one
member of your family (your father, mother, brother, sister, etc). Choose one
from these purposes.

to inform about to invite someone to apology

personal reference
to express gratitude to congratulate to give symphaty