Welcome to Personal Letter and Email Writing!
Hello! In this chapter, we are going to learn how to write personal letters and emails. This is a very important part of the Writing section in your English exam. Writing a letter or an email is like "talking on paper" (or on a screen) to someone you know, like a friend, a cousin, or a teacher.
Don't worry if you feel a bit nervous about writing. Once you learn the "skeleton" (the structure) of a letter, the rest is just like telling a story to a friend!
Section 1: The "Skeleton" of Your Writing
Whether it is a letter or an email, they both follow a very similar pattern. Think of it like a sandwich: you need the top bread, the yummy fillings in the middle, and the bottom bread to hold it all together.
1. The Top (The Beginning)
Date (For Letters): Always put the date at the top right or left corner so the reader knows when you wrote it. (Example: 15th July 2024)
Subject Line (For Emails): This is a short title that tells the reader what the email is about. (Example: Subject: My Birthday Party!)
The Greeting: This is how you say hello. Since it is personal, we usually use "Dear [Name]," or "Hi [Name],". Important: Always put a comma (,) after the name!
2. The Middle (The Body)
The Opening Paragraph: Start by being polite. Ask how the other person is doing.
Try these: "How are you?" / "I hope you are doing well." / "Thank you for your last letter."
The Main Content: This is where you share your news, feelings, or invitation. Use paragraphs to separate different ideas. If you are talking about your school and then your hobby, use two different paragraphs.
3. The Bottom (The Ending)
The Closing Paragraph: Tell the reader you want to hear from them soon.
Try these: "I look forward to hearing from you." / "Write back soon!" / "Give my regards to your parents."
The Sign-off: A short, friendly goodbye. Use "Best wishes," or "Love," or "Your friend,". Important: Put a comma (,) after these words too!
The Signature: Write your first name at the very bottom.
Quick Review: The Layout
1. Date / Subject Line
2. Greeting (Dear...,)
3. Opening (How are you?)
4. Main Content (The news)
5. Closing (Write back soon!)
6. Sign-off (Best wishes,)
7. Your Name
Section 2: Friendly Language and Tone
Because these are personal, the tone should be informal and friendly. Imagine you are chatting with your best friend at recess.
Use Contractions: In personal writing, you can use short forms like "I'm" instead of "I am", or "don't" instead of "do not". This makes you sound more natural!
Use Transition Words: To make your writing flow like a river, use "connecting words" to join your ideas:
- To show order: First, Next, Then, Finally
- To add more info: Also, Besides, What's more
- To give a reason: Because, So
Did you know?
Using exclamation marks (!) can show excitement in a personal letter! For example: "I won the race!" sounds much more exciting than "I won the race." Just don't use too many at once!
Section 3: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best students make these mistakes sometimes. Keep an eye out for them!
1. Forgetting the Commas: Many students forget the comma after "Dear Sam," and "Best wishes,". Don't forget yours!
2. Too Formal: Avoid sounding like a textbook. Don't say "I wish to inform you that...". Instead, say "I want to tell you that...".
3. Wrong Subject Line: In an email, if the subject line is empty, the person might think it is junk mail. Always write 2-4 words in the subject line.
4. Mixing up "To" and "From": In an email, "To" is the person getting the email. "From" is you!
Section 4: Step-by-Step Writing Plan
When you see a writing prompt in the HKAT, follow these steps:
Step 1: Read the instructions carefully. Who are you writing to? What is the purpose? (Is it to invite them? To tell them about a trip?)
Step 2: Brainstorm 3 main points. If you are writing about a trip, think of: Where you went, What you did, and How you felt.
Step 3: Follow the structure. Use the "sandwich" method we talked about in Section 1.
Step 4: Check your tenses. If you are talking about a trip you already took, use Past Tense (e.g., "I went," "It was"). If you are inviting someone to a future party, use Future Tense (e.g., "We will have cake").
Step 5: Final Proofread. Check your spelling and those important commas!
Memory Aid: The "F-A-S-T" Check
Format: Did I include the date/subject and greeting?
Ask: Did I ask how the reader is doing?
Spelling: Did I check my tricky words?
Tone: Is it friendly and informal?
Key Takeaway:
A personal letter or email is a chance to show your personality. As long as you keep the structure correct and use a friendly tone, you will do great! Practice by writing a short email to a friend today about what you had for lunch!