The invitation letter is a type of letter written to an organization or a group of people (ex.

Parents or students) or an
individual for their participation or presence in an event or occasion. The occasion can be official or personal.

There are two types of invitation letters:

1. Formal invitation letters:

are the ones written to officials, parents, group of students or certain distinguished people for their participation
in various activities, for example: graduation ceremony, sports competitions held by the school, end-of-year
celebration, charity event….etc. It follows a formal format with a formal tone.

2. Informal invitation letters:

are the ones inviting a friend, peer, relative or a neighbour for a social occasion, for example: birthday parties,
weddings, anniversaries ….etc. It has an informal tone.
1. Formal Invitation
Letters
 Layout
Dear Parents/Students/colleagues/club members,
Pragraph 1: Purpose of writing
You are cordially invited to ……/It is our great pleasure to invite you …../We are
honoured to invite you to…..(mention the occasion)…….held by ………………………..on (date)
………………………….. + support (a reason for choosing the day).

Paragraph 2: Address the second bullet point (ex. The place) + support (reason for
choosing the venue) ….. Then more details about the program or what is planned for the event.
[This paragraph should be a bit longer than the first one]

Paragraph 3: Highlight how important it is to attend this event…..you can use persuasive
techniques/reasons to encourage them to come.
[This paragraph should be the longest]
 Exam-style questions:
1. Your school or college is holding a swimming gala. Write a letter to parents inviting them to attend.

You must mention:

• the day and date
• the place
• the time it will start.
Your letter should be between 50 and 70 words. Do not write an address.

2. Your sports club is organising an end of year awards evening. Write a letter to members of the club inviting
them to attend the evening.

You must write about:

• where and when the awards evening is taking place
• what will happen during the evening
• why they should come.

Your letter should be between 50 and 70 words. Do not write an address

3. Your school or college is holding a concert to raise money for charity. The concert will feature school musicians
and singers. Write a letter to parents inviting them to attend this event.

You must mention:

• when the concert will take place
• where the concert will take place
• why the parents should attend.

Your letter should be between 50 and 70 words. Do not write an address.

4. Imagine that you are the secretary of your school’s health club.
Write a letter inviting the students of your year group to attend the annual health camp at your school.

• where and when the camp is taking place

• what will happen during the camp
• why they should come.
Exemplar Answer:
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It is our great pleasure to invite you to our annual swimming gala,
which will be held on Saturday, 22nd of October, 2022, as it is the World
Swim Day.
The venue is in the national swimming stadium, which is very close to
the school. It will start at 10 am sharp, so please arrive one hour earlier for
the children to be prepared.
The Swimming Gala offers the opportunity for our students to
showcase their swimming talents, whilst also encouraging a team spirit and
true sportsmanship qualities. Your cheers and words of encouragement on
the day will make a great difference for your children.
We look forward to seeing you all at our Swimming Gala.
Sincerely,
Thomas Johnson
Letter of Request
1. You want students in your school or college to help a local charity. (formal … 12 marks)
Write a letter to students asking for their help.

You must write about:

• what the charity is called
• What the charity does
• Why the students should help

Your letter should be between 50 and 70 words. Do not write an address.

2. Friendly Invitation Letters
Features of the informal language:
- Idioms
- Personalising statements
- Phrasal verbs
 Layout
Dear (name),
Paragraph 1:
Start with greeting your friend (How’re you doing?)…..Use personalizing
statement (You know/You’ll be glad to hear that…..(introduce the occasion)…….

Paragraph 2: Address the second bullet point (ex. Time/ place) + support
(reason for choosing the venue/timing) ….. Then more details about the program
or what is planned for the event.
[This paragraph should be a bit longer than the first one]

Paragraph 3: Highlight how important it is that your friend should be

there…..you can use persuasive techniques/reasons to encourage them to come.
[This paragraph should be the longest]
You are having a family celebration. Write a letter inviting your friend to the celebration. (12 marks)

You must write about:

• what your family is celebrating
• when and where the celebration will take place
• why you would like your friend to attend the celebration.

Your letter should be between 50 and 70 words. Do not write an address.

Write a letter inviting a friend to visit a city with you. (12 marks)

You must write about:

• where you are going
• what you will do there
• why they should go with you.

Your letter should be between 50 and 70 words. Do not write an address.

Write a letter inviting a friend to watch a sports match with you. (12 marks)

You must write about:

• where you will watch the sports match
• what you will do at the sports match
• why you want your friend to watch the sports match with you.

Your letter should be between 50 and 70 words. Do not write an address.

Exemplar Answer:
Dear Sam,
How’re you doing? It’s been a couple of weeks since we last met.
You’ll be glad to hear that my grandpa’s 70th birthday is around the corner.
I hope you can make it next Friday evening. It’s the weekend, so
you’ve no excuse! We’re planning to make it in the park, where we
usually hang out.
You know how much you’re dear to grandpa; he’ll be over the
moon to see you there. Do you remember that day when he was telling
you stories about his childhood? You had a good laugh together.
Don’t be late; we won’t blow the candles without you!
Yours,
Tom
Exemplar Answer:
Dear Sam,
How’re you doing? It’s been a couple of weeks since we last met.
You’ll be glad to hear that my grandpa’s 70th birthday is round the corner.
I hope you can make it next Friday evening. It’s the weekend, so
you’ve no excuse! We’re planning to make it in the park, where we
usually hang out.
You know how much you’re dear to grandpa; he’ll be over the
moon to see you there. Do you remember that day when was telling you
stories about his childhood? You had a good laugh together.
Don’t be late; we won’t blow the candles without you!
Yours,
Tom
 Letter of Request (Informal)
2. You are going to do some voluntary work. (informal … 12 marks)
Write a letter to a friend asking them to help you with the voluntary work.

You must write about:

• what the voluntary work is
• why you want to do the voluntary work
• why your friend should help

Write an e-mail to a friend about your school trip to a careers event. (16 marks)

You must write about:

• When you went
• How you got there
• One career you learnt about
• Your opinion of the event
 Letter of Advice
Semi-formal
A family member wants to be healthier and fitter.
Write a letter explaining how they can do this.
You must write about:
• Why it is important to stay fit
• One type of exercise they can do
• How you can help them to stay fit
Your letter should be between 50 and 70 words. Do not write an address.
Exemplar Answer:

Dear Sam,
How’re you doing? I was on cloud nine when I heard that you’ve finally made your mind to
lose weight. Don’t worry, I was in the same boat last year!
I’d like to give some helpful tips to speed up the process. I won’t tell you to go to the gym
everyday; I know how lazy you are! But why don’t you take up walking? It’s a simple daily
exercise that will help you to lose weight gradually without exhaustion.
About food, you don’t need to tell me how addicted you are to chocolate and junk food. If
I were you, I’d (would) cut down on my intake to once a week, instead of stopping them
completely. I can help, by the way! I have an excellent diet schedule, which was very effective to
me when I was on the same journey. I’ll give it to you next Sunday.
Hope these tips are helpful! Don’t forget to update me with your news.

Yours,
Tom
Use personalizing sentences to introduce the problem:
I know …
- how much you love chocolate/junk food
- how addicted you are to…
- how much you hate exercise!
- what a couch potato you are!
- you’re not the world’s most energetic/ sportiest person!
- you’re not the world’s healthiest eater!
Use advice phrases to give your advice:
- You could….
- You really should…
- Why don’t you take up walking?
- How about…
- What about…
- Have you thought of cutting down on junk food?
- If I were you, I’d do some exercise.
- The best thing you can do is to eat the right things.
- It would be a good idea if you gave up chocolate.
- Try/remember/don’t forget to…
- Whatever happens, don’t forget to take it easy at first.