45. Informal emails and letters | How to write them, from planning to finished product

Writing Tricks (for Cambridge, Trinity and Aptis exams)

What are the key ingredients of an informal email or letter? How can you approach this task? From planning to finished product, find everything you need in this episode.

INFORMAL EMAILS: SAMPLE TASKS

You have just received this email from Jo, a friend in Canada.

From: Jo

Subject: Help me!

I really want to be selected for the college ice hockey team, but I know I'm not fit enough. There are only four weeks until the trials take place. What should I do between now and then? Please, give me some advice!

Write your email.

SAMPLE EMAIL

Hi Jo,

Wow, you're faced with a difficult challenge — but I know you'll make it! If I were you, I'd draw up a fitness program without delay and stick to it 100%. Between you and me, it's high time I started eating more healthily again, like I used to when I lived at home, so why don't we do this together?

Anyway, the first thing you should do is alter your diet radically, which means cutting out junk food and sweet stuff. Just think, if you hadn't eaten all those burgers over the last year, you'd be in great shape now! So that's what needs to happen from today, my friend. I'll be checking out some website links on high-protein diets for you too.

Giving up unhealthy snacks is one thing, but you'll also have to work out more regularly — unless you are only going for the third team. I know you won't be happy with that because you've always aimed incredibly high, so get moving! In fact, you ought to be out running NOW rather than reading this!

The best of luck, and let's keep in touch!

Love,

María

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