Informal Letter Writing: Format and Expression Techniques | 英语写作：非正式信函的格式与表达技巧

📚 Informal Letter Writing: Format and Expression Techniques | 英语写作：非正式信函的格式与表达技巧

Informal letters are personal communications written to friends, family members, or acquaintances. Unlike formal letters, they allow for a conversational tone, emotional expression, and even stylistic freedom. Mastering this genre is essential for excelling in English writing examinations and for real-life communication.

非正式信函是写给朋友、家人或熟人的个人通信。与正式信函不同，它允许采用对话式语气、情感表达甚至风格上的自由。掌握这一体裁对于在英语写作考试中取得高分以及进行实际交流都至关重要。

1. Understanding Informal Letters | 理解非正式信函

An informal letter is a written message that does not follow strict professional conventions. It typically addresses a known recipient and focuses on sharing news, expressing feelings, or maintaining social connections. Exam boards such as Cambridge and Edexcel often require students to write such letters in Paper 2 or coursework components.

非正式信函是不遵循严格职业规范的书面向信息。它通常写给认识的收件人，重点在于分享消息、表达情感或维持社交联系。剑桥和爱德思等考试局通常在试卷二或课程作业部分要求学生撰写此类信件。

Key characteristics include: a relaxed tone, personal pronouns (I, you, we), contractions (I’m, don’t, it’s), and a warm closing. Understanding these features is the first step toward producing an authentic and effective informal letter.

关键特征包括：轻松的语气、人称代词（I, you, we）、缩略形式（I’m, don’t, it’s）以及温暖的结尾。理解这些特征是写出真实有效的非正式信函的第一步。

2. Format Essentials: Layout and Structure | 格式要点：布局与结构

The layout of an informal letter is simpler than that of a formal letter. However, certain conventions must still be observed to ensure clarity and readability. A typical structure includes your address, the date, a salutation, an introduction, body paragraphs, a conclusion, and a signature.

非正式信函的布局比正式信函简单。然而，仍需遵守某些惯例以确保清晰和可读性。典型结构包括：你的地址、日期、称呼、引言、正文段落、结尾和签名。

Your address (top right corner, without your name) | 你的地址（右上角，不写名字）
Date (below your address, e.g., ’15 March 2025′) | 日期（地址下方，如 2025年3月15日）
Salutation (e.g., ‘Dear Tom,’) | 称呼（如亲爱的汤姆：）
Body paragraphs (each with a clear main idea) | 正文段落（每段有清晰主旨）
Closing (e.g., ‘Lots of love,’) | 结束语（如满满的爱，）
Signature (your first name or nickname) | 签名（名字或昵称）

Remember to use a comma after the salutation and after the closing phrase. Indentation is optional, but leaving a blank line between paragraphs improves readability.

记得在称呼和结束语后使用逗号。缩进可选，但在段落之间留空行可提高可读性。

3. Salutations and Openings | 称呼与开头

Choosing the right salutation sets the tone for the entire letter. Common informal openings include ‘Dear Mum,’ ‘Dear Uncle John,’ ‘Hi Sarah,’ or ‘My dearest friend,’. The greeting should match your relationship with the recipient.

选择合适的称呼为整封信定下基调。常见的非正式开头包括“亲爱的妈妈：”“亲爱的约翰叔叔：”“嗨，莎拉：”或“我最亲爱的朋友：”。问候语应与你和收件人的关系相匹配。

The opening sentence should be warm and engaging. For example:

开头句应温暖且引人入胜。例如：

‘I hope this letter finds you well.’ | “希望你一切安好。”
‘It was so wonderful to hear from you last week.’ | “上周收到你的来信真是太好了。”
‘Sorry I haven’t written sooner, but I’ve been incredibly busy.’ | “抱歉这么久才写信，我最近实在太忙了。”

Avoid using ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ or ‘To Whom It May Concern’ in informal letters, as these are reserved for formal correspondence.

避免在非正式信函中使用“尊敬的先生/女士”或“敬启者”，这些是为正式通信保留的。

4. Body Paragraph Development | 正文段落的展开

Each body paragraph should focus on one main point or topic. Use the first paragraph to acknowledge the recipient’s previous letter or news. In the following paragraphs, share your own news, respond to questions, or offer advice. This creates a natural, conversational flow.

每个正文段落应聚焦于一个要点或话题。用第一段回应收件人之前的来信或消息。在后续段落中，分享自己的新闻、回答问题或提供建议。这能营造自然、对话般的流畅感。

Effective techniques include: using rhetorical questions (‘Can you believe it?’), expressing emotions (‘I was so excited when…’), and including specific details (‘The party lasted until midnight!’). These elements make the letter vivid and personal.

有效技巧包括：使用修辞疑问句（“你信吗？”）、表达情感（“当……时我太激动了”）以及包含具体细节（“派对一直持续到午夜！”）。这些元素使信件生动且个性化。

Remember to maintain coherence by using linking words such as ‘By the way,’ ‘Actually,’ ‘Anyway,’ and ‘On another note,’. These transitions mimic natural conversation and connect your ideas smoothly.

记住使用连接词来保持连贯性，如“顺便说一句”“实际上”“无论如何”和“换个话题”。这些过渡模仿自然对话，使思路衔接流畅。

5. Language and Tone | 语言与语气

The tone of an informal letter is friendly, warm, and personal. To achieve this, use everyday vocabulary, idioms, and phrasal verbs that you would use in spoken conversation. For instance, instead of ‘I was extremely delighted,’ write ‘I was over the moon.’

非正式信函的语气是友好、温暖且私人的。为达到此效果，应使用日常词汇、习语和口语中常用的短语动词。例如，与其写“I was extremely delighted”，不如写“I was over the moon”。

Contractions are highly recommended in informal writing. ‘I am’ becomes ‘I’m,’ ‘we will’ becomes ‘we’ll,’ and ‘it is’ becomes ‘it’s.’ These contractions make your writing sound natural and relaxed, closely mirroring speech.

强烈建议在非正式写作中使用缩略形式。’I am’ 变为 ‘I’m’，’we will’ 变为 ‘we’ll’，’it is’ 变为 ‘it’s’。这些缩略形式使你的写作听起来自然轻松，与口语高度接近。

However, avoid slang that is too obscure or overly casual (e.g., ‘gonna,’ ‘wanna’) in exam contexts, unless you are quoting direct speech. Maintain a balance between formality and informality.

然而，在考试语境中应避免过于生僻或随意的俚语（如“gonna”“wanna”），除非引用直接引语。要在正式与非正式之间保持平衡。

6. Linking Words and Phrases | 连接词与短语

Transitional words and phrases are essential for organising your ideas and creating a logical flow. In informal letters, they should feel natural and conversational rather than overly academic.

过渡词和短语对于组织思想和创造逻辑流畅性至关重要。在非正式信函中，它们应感觉自然、口语化，而非过度学术化。

To begin: ‘First of all,’ / ‘To start with,’ | 开始：首先，/ 一开始，
To add: ‘Also,’ / ‘What’s more,’ | 补充：还有，/ 更重要的是，
To contrast: ‘However,’ / ‘On the other hand,’ | 对比：然而，/ 另一方面，
To conclude: ‘In the end,’ / ‘Finally,’ | 结论：最后，/ 最终，
To shift topic: ‘By the way,’ / ‘Speaking of which,’ | 转换话题：顺便说一句，/ 说到这个，

You can also use informal transitions like ‘Anyway, that’s enough about me.’ or ‘So, what about you?’ These phrases engage the reader and make the letter feel like a genuine conversation.

你还可以使用非正式过渡，如“好了，关于我就说这么多。”或“那么，你呢？”这些短语吸引读者，使信件像真正的对话。

7. Closings and Sign-offs | 结尾与署名

The way you end an informal letter is as important as its opening. The closing phrase should reflect your relationship with the recipient and the overall tone of the letter. Common informal sign-offs include:

结束非正式信函的方式与其开头同样重要。结束语应反映你与收件人的关系以及信件的整体基调。常见的非正式结束语包括：

‘Lots of love,’ | “满满的爱，”
‘Best wishes,’ | “最美好的祝愿，”
‘Yours truly,’ | “你的真诚的朋友，”
‘Take care,’ | “保重，”
‘See you soon,’ | “很快见，”

Do not use formal closings such as ‘Yours faithfully’ or ‘Yours sincerely’ in an informal letter. After the closing phrase, write your first name (or nickname) on the next line. If you are writing to a close friend, you may even add ‘P.S.’ (postscript) after your signature to add an afterthought.

不要在非正式信函中使用“Yours faithfully”或“Yours sincerely”等正式结束语。在结束语之后，于下一行写你的名字（或昵称）。如果写给密友，你甚至可以在签名后添加“P.S.”（附言）来补充想法。

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid | 常见错误避免

Students often lose marks in informal letter writing due to avoidable mistakes. Recognising these pitfalls will help you write more confidently and accurately.

学生在非正式信函写作中常因可避免的错误而失分。认识这些陷阱将帮助你更自信、更准确地写作。

Using formal language — Avoid ‘I would like to inform you’ or ‘it has come to my attention.’ | 使用正式语言——避免“我想通知你”或“据我了解”。
Forgetting the date — Always include a date; it is part of the format. | 忘记日期——始终包含日期；这是格式的一部分。
Overusing slang — Too much slang can make your letter unclear and overly casual. | 过度使用俚语——过多俚语会使信件不清晰且过于随意。
No paragraph breaks — A solid wall of text is difficult to read. Use new paragraphs for new ideas. | 没有段落分隔——成块的文字难以阅读。新观点应另起一段。
Inconsistent tone — Do not mix formal expressions with informal ones in the same letter. | 语气不一致——不要在信中混用正式和非正式表达。

Always check your work for spelling and punctuation errors after writing. Even in informal letters, basic grammar must be correct.

写完后务必检查拼写和标点错误。即使在非正式信函中，基本语法也必须正确。

9. Model Example | 范文示例

Below is a complete model of an informal letter. Study its structure, tone, and language, then use it as a reference for your own writing.

下面是一封完整的非正式信函范文。研究其结构、语气和语言，然后将其作为自己写作的参考。

45 Park Lane
London, UK
15 March 2025

Dear Emma,

I hope this letter finds you in great spirits. I was absolutely thrilled to receive your postcard from Paris — the Eiffel Tower photo was stunning!

希望你一切都好。收到你从巴黎寄来的明信片我真是太高兴了——埃菲尔铁塔的照片太美了！

Since you asked about my new school, I have to say it is going surprisingly well. The teachers are friendly, and I’ve already joined the debating club. Can you believe I actually spoke in front of the whole class last Tuesday? My hands were shaking, but everyone was supportive.

既然你问起我的新学校，我得说一切顺利得出乎意料。老师们很友好，我已经加入了辩论社。你能相信吗，上周二我真的在全班面前发言了！我的手一直在抖，但大家都很支持。

Anyway, enough about me. How was your art exhibition in Lyon? I really want to see your paintings. Maybe you can send me some photos? By the way, are you coming home for the summer holidays? It would be wonderful to catch up properly.

好了，关于我就说这么多。你在里昂的画展怎么样？我非常想看看你的画作。你能给我发些照片吗？顺便问一下，你暑假回家吗？如果能好好聚一聚就太好了。

Please write back soon. I miss you heaps!

请尽快回信。我非常想念你！

Lots of love,
Sophie

Notice how Sophie acknowledges Emma’s previous news, shares her own, asks questions, and ends warmly. This balance is key to a successful informal letter.

注意苏菲如何回应艾玛之前的消息、分享自己的近况、提出问题并温暖地结尾。这种平衡是非正式信函成功的关键。

10. Exam Tips and Marking Criteria | 考试技巧与评分标准

In A-Level examinations, informal letter writing is assessed on content, organisation, language accuracy, and tone. To score highly, ensure your letter addresses all parts of the prompt, uses a consistent informal tone, and demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary and sentence structures.

在A-Level考试中，非正式信函写作按内容、组织结构、语言准确性和语气进行评分。要获得高分，请确保你的信件涵盖提示的所有部分，使用一致的非正式语气，并展示丰富的词汇和句式结构。

Criterion	What Examiners Look For	评分标准	考官关注点
Content	All points from the prompt covered and developed	内容	提示中的所有要点均已覆盖并展开
Organisation	Logical paragraphing and clear structure	组织	逻辑分段和清晰结构
Language	Accurate grammar and varied vocabulary	语言	语法准确，词汇多样
Tone	Consistent informal register throughout	语气	全文保持非正式语域一致

Timing is also crucial. Allocate about 15 minutes to plan, 25 to write, and 5 to review. A quick outline can prevent you from missing any required content points.

时间管理也至关重要。大约分配15分钟规划、25分钟写作和5分钟检查。快速提纲可以防止遗漏任何所需内容要点。

11. Practice Prompts | 练习题目

To master informal letter writing, regular practice is essential. Here are some prompts that reflect typical exam questions:

要掌握非正式信函写作，定期练习至关重要。以下是一些反映典型考试题目的练习提示：

Write a letter to a friend who has moved abroad, describing recent changes in your life. | 给一位移居国外的朋友写信，描述你生活中最近的变化。
Write a letter to your cousin, inviting them to spend the summer holidays with you. | 给你的表亲写信，邀请他们和你一起过暑假。
Write a letter to an elderly relative, thanking them for a birthday gift and sharing your news. | 给一位年长的亲戚写信，感谢他们的生日礼物并分享你的近况。
Write a letter to a pen pal, telling them about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it. | 给笔友写信，讲述你面临的一个挑战以及如何克服它。

For each prompt, brainstorm ideas first, then plan your paragraphs, and finally write your letter under timed conditions. This practice will build both confidence and speed.

针对每个题目，先头脑风暴想法，再规划段落，最后在限时条件下写信。这种练习将建立信心并提高速度。

12. Conclusion | 结论

Informal letter writing is a valuable skill that combines structural awareness with authentic personal expression. By mastering the format, employing a natural tone, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can produce letters that are both engaging and mark-worthy.

非正式信函写作是一项宝贵的技能，它将结构意识与真实个人表达相结合。通过掌握格式、运用自然的语气并避免常见错误，你可以写出既吸引人又值得高分的信件。

Remember: practice is the key. Review model letters, learn from your mistakes, and keep writing. With consistent effort, you will be fully prepared for any letter-writing task in your exam.

记住：练习是关键。研究范文，从错误中学习，坚持写作。通过持续努力，你将充分准备好应对考试中的任何信函写作任务。

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Informal Letter Writing: Format and Expression Techniques | 英语写作：非正式信函的格式与表达技巧