A personal letter is an informal letter written to someone you know on a friendly tone. It should include a reason for writing, exclude information the recipient already knows, and use the right tone and language. The document provides examples of personal letters to a relative and close friend and discusses how the tone can vary depending on the closeness of the relationship. It also covers the typical format of a personal letter, including sender's address, date, salutation/opening, introduction, body, closure, complimentary close, and sign-off. Tips are provided on making the letter interesting through tone, sharing emotions, format and style, and making connections with the recipient.

1. Personal
Letter
101

2. Definition
A personal letter is a letter that we write to
someone we know, or
someone we want to get to know.
Usually, it’s written to a friend or relative.

3. Informal
and
Friendly
Tone

4. Example 1
Relative
I was extremely
disappointed at not
winning the prize, but I’ll
try to win it next year.

5. Example 1
A Close Friend
I was shattered at not
winning the prize – I cried
myself to sleep every
night for an entire week.

6. The closer our relationship to the recipient,
the more personal and informal the tone.

7. Remember
1.
Exclude information which the recipient already
knows
2. Include reason for writing
3. Use the right tone and language.

8. Format
Block 24A
Cascade Crescent
Singapore 432765
Sender’s Address
18 February 2013
Date
Dear Aunt Cindy,
Salutation/ Opening Greeting

9. It’s been months since I last hear from you! Are
you and your family doing fine? I guess your work is
Introduction
keeping you very busy and that’s why you haven’t
written, emailed or called.
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Body
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Body
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

10. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Body
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Please, pretty please, write soon – we miss
hearing from you. When will you be Closure
back? Soon I
hope! Please send my regards to Uncle Tom. Take
care of yourself!
Complimentary Close
Love,
Justin Bieber
Sign-off Name or Nickname

11. 4 Ways
to make your letter
Interesting
Tone
Emotions
Format & Style
‘Connections’

12. Tone
Use a friendly, sincere and conversational tone.

13. Show your care and concern
Remember to ask how your recipient is doing, and not just start
talking about yourself!

14. Emotions
Share your feelings
they are what make a personal letter personal
You can share about
1. a lesson you learnt recently
2. something that made your happy or sad
3. your likes and dislikes.

15. Format & Style
Write personal letters neatly and
clearly
Your recipient will not have a hard time
figuring out your handwriting
Organise your writing into
paragraphs.
This makes your letter easier to read
and follow.

16. Format & Style
Indent your paragraphs.
Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

17. ‘Connections’
Connect with your recipient by
1. Respond to his or her questions or concerns
(from his or her previous letter)
2. Invite a response from him or her

18. Salutation
To show…
warmth and friendliness
affection
a lot of affection
you can use…
Dear Aunt Gaga,
Hello Uncle Bieber
My dear Beyonce
Dearest Dad
My dearest Aunt Lucy

19. Introduction
Examples
1.
How are you? It’s been a long while since we’ve
met! I hope you’re fine.
2. How is everything? Good, I hope! Your letter was a
pleasant surprise. Thank you very much.

20. Useful phrases for your Introduction
How are you?
How are things with
you?
How’s life treating
you?
Are you well?
Are you and your
family doing fine?
What have you been
up to?
Survived your
examinations?
I have not heard
from you for
months. Are you
okay?
Still alive and
kicking?

21. 1.
Body
Paragraphs
Thoughts about recent
local news.
2. Your recipient
favourite movies,
sports, actors or
actresses
3. Your new skill or an
interesting fact
4. Your recipient’s
opinions

22. Closure
Express your
personal
wishes
Send
greetings to
related people
Suggest
meetings
soon
Prompt for
response

23. Complimentary Close
A short expression that comes
after the last paragraph and
before the signature.
Examples
Love,
With much Kind
love,
regards,
Yours truly, Take care,

24. Postscript
(P.S.)
A short note at the
bottom of the letter
P.S. I still have the book you
lent me last year. I’ve
decided not to return to you.

25. Last but not least,
Check your
1.
Spelling
2. Grammar
3. Fragment

26. A Fragment
An incomplete sentence.
Fragment
After you arrived.
The boy who like cakes
Which belongs to my father.
Ate the apple pies