Letter Writing (Informal Letters)
Learning Objectives
- Understand what a letter is and why we write letters.
- Learn the parts of an informal (friendly) letter.
- Write the sender's address and date correctly in Indian format.
- Use proper greeting (salutation) and closing in a letter.
- Write the body of a letter with a clear message.
- Read and understand sample letters written to friends and family.
- Write your own informal letter on a given topic.
What is a Letter?
A letter is a written message that we send to someone. Before phones and emails, people wrote letters to talk to friends, family, and others who lived far away. Even today, we learn to write letters because it helps us express our thoughts clearly and politely.
There are two types of letters:
1. Informal Letter (Friendly Letter): Written to friends, family members, or relatives. The language is friendly and warm.
2. Formal Letter: Written to the principal, a shopkeeper, or an office. The language is polite and official. (We will learn this in higher classes.)
In Class 3, we will learn to write informal (friendly) letters.
Parts of an Informal Letter
Every informal letter has six parts. Let us learn each one:
| Part | What It Is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sender's Address | Your home address (where you live) | 42, Rose Garden Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| 2. Date | The date you are writing the letter | 15th July, 2024 |
| 3. Greeting (Salutation) | How you say hello | Dear Anita, / My dear Grandma, |
| 4. Body | The main message of your letter | I am writing to tell you about... |
| 5. Closing | How you say goodbye | With love, / Your loving friend, |
| 6. Signature | Your name at the end | Riya |
Sample Letter 1 — To a Friend About Summer Holidays
42, Rose Garden
Jaipur, Rajasthan
10th May, 2024
Dear Anita,
How are you? I hope you are enjoying your summer holidays. I am having a wonderful time here in Jaipur.
Last week, my family went to the Amer Fort. It was so big and beautiful! We also visited the Hawa Mahal and ate delicious dal baati churma. I took many photos to show you.
My mother is teaching me to make mango lassi at home. It is very easy and tasty! I also joined a drawing class near my house. I am learning to draw animals and birds.
What are you doing in your holidays? Please write back and tell me. I miss you a lot!
With love,
Riya
Sample Letter 2 — To Grandmother Thanking for a Gift
15, Nehru Nagar
Pune, Maharashtra
25th December, 2024
My dear Grandma,
Thank you so much for the beautiful storybook you sent me for my birthday! I loved it. The stories about Panchatantra animals are so interesting and funny.
I have already read three stories. My favourite one is about the clever fox and the crow. I read one story every night before sleeping. Papa also listens to me read aloud.
I miss you very much. When will you come to visit us? Mummy is making your favourite besan ladoo for Makar Sankranti. Please come soon!
Give my love to Grandpa and Chotu (our dog).
Your loving granddaughter,
Meera
Tips for Writing a Good Letter
Tip 1: Always write your address and date at the top right corner.
Tip 2: Use "Dear" followed by the person's name for the greeting.
Tip 3: Start the body by asking about the person's health or well-being.
Tip 4: Write clearly about one or two topics — don't mix too many things.
Tip 5: End with a warm closing like "With love" or "Your loving friend."
Tip 6: Always sign your name at the bottom.
Tip 7: Keep your handwriting neat and leave margins on both sides.
Key Words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Letter | A written message sent to someone |
| Informal | Friendly, casual, not official |
| Sender | The person who writes and sends the letter |
| Address | The place where someone lives (house number, street, city) |
| Salutation | The greeting at the beginning (Dear...) |
| Body | The main message of the letter |
| Closing | The goodbye words before your name |
| Signature | Your name written at the end of the letter |
- A letter is a written message sent to someone.
- An informal letter is written to friends, family, or relatives.
- Every letter has 6 parts: address, date, greeting, body, closing, and signature.
- Write the address and date at the top right corner.
- Use "Dear [Name]," as the greeting for informal letters.
- The body should have a clear message — ask about the person, share your news, and end warmly.
- Close with "With love," "Your loving friend," or "Yours lovingly."
Practice Questions
Put these parts of a letter in the correct order (write 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6):
🎨 Activity: Write Your Own Letter
Write a letter to your best friend telling them about a festival you celebrated recently. Use the correct format with all 6 parts. You can write about Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Holi, or any other festival.
Remember to include:
✓ Your address and date ✓ Greeting ✓ What festival you celebrated ✓ What you did ✓ What you ate ✓ Closing and your name
Want a printable worksheet? Switch to the Worksheet View, then print.