Why text types matter: Informal email/letter belongs to Unit 2 — Text Types. In Paper 1 (Writing) you are given a task and you must choose, or are told, a text type (an email, a blog, a letter, an article…). Each text type has its own conventions and register — and getting them right is exactly what earns Criterion C (Conceptual understanding).
An informal email or letter is what you write to a friend or family member. The register is informal: warm, personal and chatty, as if you were speaking to them.
- register
- how formal or informal your language is — chosen to suit who you are writing to
- informal register
- warm, friendly, personal language used with people you know well
- salutation / greeting
- the opening line that addresses the reader (e.g. "Hi Sofia!")
- sign-off / closing
- the line that ends the message before your name (e.g. "Take care,")
- conventions
- the expected features of a text type — for an email: a greeting, a body and a sign-off
- audience
- the person you are writing to; it decides your register
- to drop someone a line
- to write a short, casual message to someone
- to catch up
- to share news after not speaking for a while
Informal email (to a friend)
- Greeting: "Hi Sofia!", "Hey Marco,", "Dear Mum,"
- Sign-off: "Take care,", "Big hug,", "Speak soon,"
- Contractions: "I'm", "can't", "you'll"
- Personal, chatty tone; questions to the reader
Formal letter (NOT this task)
- Greeting: "Dear Mr Lopez,", "Dear Sir or Madam,"
- Sign-off: "Yours sincerely,", "Kind regards,"
- Full forms: "I am", "cannot", "you will"
- Polite, distant tone; no slang
Decide the register first: Before you write a single word, ask: who am I writing to? A friend → informal. A company or official → formal. Choosing the register up front, and keeping it consistent from greeting to sign-off, is half of Criterion C.
The three parts of an email: Every informal email has the same three parts. Learn the phrases for each and you have a ready-made frame for any task: greet → say why you're writing and give your news → wrap up and sign off.
Opening lines (greeting + why you're writing)
- "Hi Sofia! How's everything going?" — greet and ask how they are
- "Sorry I haven't written in ages!" — a friendly apology to break the ice
- "I'm writing because… / I just wanted to tell you that…" — say why you're writing
- "Guess what! / You'll never believe it…" — to announce exciting news
Wrap-up & sign-off lines
- "Anyway, I'd better go now." — to signal you're finishing
- "Write back soon and tell me your news!" — invite a reply (an email is a two-way chat)
- "Let me know what you think." — ask for their response
- "Take care," / "Speak soon," / "Big hug," + your name — informal sign-offs
| Useful expression | When to use it |
|---|---|
| How's everything going? | Opening — ask how the reader is. |
| I'm writing because… | Opening — state your reason for writing. |
| You'll never guess what happened! | Body — build up to a piece of news. |
| Do you fancy meeting up? | Body — make a friendly invitation. |
| Write back soon! | Closing — invite a reply. |
Keep it a conversation: An informal email is a dialogue, not a speech. Ask the reader questions ("How are you?", "Do you fancy…?") and react to them. Use contractions ("I'm", "you'll") and connectors ("anyway", "by the way", "so") to sound natural.
Get feedback like a real examiner
Submit your answers and get instant feedback — what you did well, what's missing, and exactly what to write to score full marks.
Try AI Tutor Free7-day free trial • No card required
See it all put together: Here is a complete model informal email. As you read, spot the three parts: the greeting, the body (the news and the invitation) and the sign-off. Notice how friendly and personal the whole thing feels.
Model: an email to a friend: Hi Sofia!
How's everything going? Sorry I haven't written in ages — life's been pretty hectic lately.
I'm writing because this summer I'm going to do a cooking course, and I'd love for you to come along with me. It's on Tuesday afternoons, really close to your place, and apparently we get to cook a different dish every week. How good does that sound?
Anyway, let me know what you think as soon as you can. Write back and tell me how you've been!
Big hug, Daniel
IB-style task — analyse the model
The email, part by part
- The greeting — "Hi Sofia!". A first name and an exclamation: warm and informal. (A formal version would be "Dear Ms Lopez,".)
- The opening — "How's everything going? Sorry I haven't written in ages…". It asks after the reader and breaks the ice before getting to the point.
- The body — "I'm writing because this summer I'm going to do a cooking course… I'd love for you to come along." It gives the reason, the news and an invitation, with details (Tuesday afternoons, close to her place).
- The wrap-up + sign-off — "Let me know what you think… Write back!" then "Big hug, Daniel". It invites a reply and closes warmly.
What the model shows: Register stays informal all the way through — contractions ("I'm", "haven't"), a chatty tone, and questions to the reader. That consistency is exactly what Criterion C rewards. Copy this frame; change only the news.
Read like Paper 2: Personal texts also turn up in Paper 2 (Reading): you read an email or letter and answer questions on it. The answer is always in the text — you never need outside knowledge. Here's a short informal email, then one exam question worked through.
An email from Léa: Hey Tom!
Long time no see! I'm writing from my new flat — yes, I've finally moved out and I love it. It's tiny, but it's right in the centre, so I can walk everywhere.
The best bit? There's a little cafe downstairs where I go every morning. You have to come and visit soon — bring your camera, the rooftop views are amazing.
How are things with you? Write back and tell me everything!
Lots of love, Léa
- Long time no see!
- a casual way to say you haven't been in contact for a while
- to move out
- to leave home / a place and go to live somewhere else
- the best bit
- the most enjoyable or interesting part of something (informal)
- to drop by / visit
- to come and see someone, often without much planning
IB-style task — one Paper 2 question
One question, step by step
- The question — "According to the email, what is the best thing about Léa's new flat?"
- Find it in the text. Look for "The best bit": "The best bit? There's a little cafe downstairs where I go every morning."
- The answer — There's a little cafe downstairs that she goes to every morning. The words are right there, so no outside knowledge is needed.
Reading technique: For an "according to the text" question, find the exact line that proves your answer. Watch for distractors: the flat is "tiny", but the best part is the cafe — read carefully.
Learn what examiners really want
See exactly what to write to score full marks. Our AI shows you model answers and the key phrases examiners look for.
Try AI Feedback Free7-day free trial • No card required
The task: You have some good news to share. Write an informal email to a friend in which you tell them your news and invite them to celebrate with you.
Use an informal, friendly register throughout. Write 70–150 words.
Informal email — 5 steps
1
Greeting
Address your friend warmly. "Hi Marco!"
2
Opening
Ask how they are / say why you're writing. "How's it going? I've got news!"
3
Your news
Tell the news with detail and feeling. "I finally passed my driving test!"
4
Invitation
Invite them to do something. "Do you fancy meeting up to celebrate?"
5
Sign-off
Wrap up + sign off. "Write back soon! Big hug, Lucia"
Greeting → Opening → News → Invitation → Sign-off
Model: the 5 steps in action
The email, step by step
- Hi Marco! How's it going?
- I'm writing because I've got some exciting news I've been dying to tell you.
- You'll never guess — I finally passed my driving test! It took me three attempts, but I got there in the end and I'm so relieved. Honestly, I could hardly believe it when the examiner told me.
- So, do you fancy meeting up at the weekend to celebrate? We could grab a pizza on Saturday — let me know if you're free.
- Anyway, write back soon and tell me all your news too. Take care!
Big hug, Lucia
Why it scores: This answer hits all three Paper 1 criteria — here's what earns each one:
A — Language /12
- Contractions and natural phrasing: "I'm", "you'll never guess"
- Connectors: "so", "anyway", "too"
- Accurate, varied vocabulary
B — Message /12
- Task fully done: gives the news AND invites the friend
- News developed with concrete detail (three attempts, so relieved)
C — Conceptual /6
- Email conventions: greeting + sign-off
- Direct address: "How's it going?", "do you fancy…?"
- Consistent informal register