Informal Email Writing Guide
IGCSE ESL — Writing 120–160 Words
Master the format, tone, and techniques for friendly, natural IGCSE ESL informal emails that address every point in the question.
- Email structure — master the format for informal IGCSE ESL emails
- Greeting & sign-off — use appropriate informal openings and closings
- Friendly tone — write in a natural, conversational style
- Addressing all points — respond to every bullet in the question
- Informal language — contractions, casual phrases, natural flow
- Word count management — stay within 120–160 words
Time management
Planning: 2–3 min · Writing: 15–20 min · Checking: 3–5 min · Total: 20–25 minutes
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Understanding the Task
IGCSE ESL informal emails require you to write a friendly message to someone you know in 120–160 words. The email should sound natural and conversational, like you're talking to a friend or family member.
Typical email questions
"You have received an email from your English friend, Tom. Write an email to Tom. In your email, you should: thank him for his email, tell him about your recent holiday, and invite him to visit you."
"Your cousin has asked about your new school. Write an email to your cousin. In your email: describe your new school, explain what you like about it, and suggest meeting up during the holidays."
- Tone: Friendly, warm, and conversational
- Language: Use contractions (I'm, you'll, it's), everyday vocabulary
- Structure: Greeting · opening line · 2 main paragraphs · closing · sign-off
- Purpose: Respond to ALL points mentioned in the question
Email Structure
A successful IGCSE ESL informal email follows a clear structure with six distinct parts.
Greeting
Hi [name], / Dear [name], — 2–3 words, not counted
Opening line
~10–15 words · friendly acknowledgement of their email
Main para 1
~35–45 words · address first 1–2 points
Main para 2
~35–45 words · address remaining points
Closing line
~15–20 words · warm ending with future reference
Sign-off
Best wishes, / Love, [name] — not counted
Total: 120–160 words (greeting and sign-off not counted)
Opening: ~10–15 words · Para 1 + 2: ~70–90 words · Closing: ~15–20 words
Using formal language · forgetting to address all points · paragraphs too long or too short · using "Yours faithfully" or "Yours sincerely" · no contractions
Greetings & Sign-offs
Start and end your email appropriately. Use informal greetings and warm sign-offs that match the friendly tone.
Informal greetings ✓
For friends: Hi [name], / Hey [name],
For family: Dear [name], / Hi [name],
Generic: Hello, / Hi there,
Formal greetings ✗
Dear Sir/Madam,
To whom it may concern,
Dear Mr/Ms [surname],
Informal sign-offs ✓
Best wishes, / Love, / Lots of love,
Take care, / All the best,
Cheers, / See you soon, / Speak soon,
Formal sign-offs ✗
Yours faithfully,
Yours sincerely,
Kind regards, / Best regards,
Matching greeting to sign-off
Friend: "Hi Tom," … "Speak soon, Alex"
Cousin: "Dear Sarah," … "Love, Jamie"
Pen pal: "Hello Maria," … "Best wishes, Chris"
Writing the Opening Line
Your opening line should acknowledge their email and set a friendly tone. Keep it brief and natural — 10–15 words.
Thank them: "Thanks so much for your email!"
Show enthusiasm: "It was great to hear from you!"
Apologise if late: "Sorry I didn't reply sooner!"
Reference their news: "Congratulations on your exam results!"
Example 1 (12 words): "Thanks for your email! It was great to hear all your news."
Example 2 (11 words): "How are you? I'm so glad you wrote to me!"
Example 3 (14 words): "Sorry I haven't written for ages! I've been really busy with school lately."
Practice: Write your opening line (10–15 words)
Sounds friendly and natural · acknowledges their email · sets a positive tone · uses contractions (I'm, you're, it's) · 10–15 words
Writing Main Paragraphs
Write two main paragraphs, each covering 1–2 related points from the question with details and personal touches.
Task: Thank Tom, tell about holiday, invite him
Thanks again for your lovely message! I just got back from Spain and had an amazing time. The beaches were beautiful and the food was incredible. I tried paella for the first time and loved it!
I was thinking, why don't you come and visit me during the summer holidays? We could go to the beach and explore the local area. It would be great to catch up properly. Let me know what you think!
Useful connecting phrases
Adding information: Also, By the way, Another thing is, Plus
Moving to new point: Anyway, So, Oh, and…
Making suggestions: Why don't you…? / How about…? / Maybe we could…
Practice: Write your main paragraphs (70–90 words total)
Writing the Closing Line
Your closing line should end the email warmly and often includes a reference to future contact or action. Target: 15–20 words.
Request a reply: "Write back soon and let me know!"
Future plans: "Hope to see you soon!"
Good wishes: "Hope everything's going well for you!"
Express excitement: "Can't wait to hear from you!"
Example 1 (16 words): "Anyway, I'd better go now. Write back soon and tell me all your news!"
Example 2 (18 words): "Let me know what you think about visiting. I really hope you can make it!"
Example 3 (15 words): "Hope this helps! Good luck with your English studies. I'm sure you'll do great!"
Practice: Write your closing line (15–20 words)
Don't end abruptly · don't use formal phrases like "I look forward to hearing from you" · don't forget to sound warm · don't introduce new topics
Complete Model Email
Task
"You have received an email from your English friend, Tom. Write an email to Tom. In your email, you should:
- thank him for his email
- tell him about your recent holiday
- invite him to visit you"
Hi Tom,
[Opening — 14 words]
Thanks so much for your email! It was really great to hear all your news.
[Main paragraph 1 — covers: thank him + tell about holiday]
I just got back from Spain last week and had an absolutely amazing time. The beaches were beautiful and the food was incredible. I tried paella for the first time and loved it! We also visited some really interesting museums and historic sites in Barcelona. The weather was perfect the whole time, and I took loads of photos. I'll send you some soon!
[Main paragraph 2 — covers: invite him to visit]
I was thinking, why don't you come and visit me during the summer holidays? We could go to the beach, explore the local area, and maybe even take a day trip to the mountains. It would be great to catch up properly. Let me know what you think!
[Closing — 22 words]
Anyway, I'd better go now as I've got loads of homework to finish. Write back soon and tell me all your news!
Best wishes,
Alex
Friendly, conversational tone throughout · addresses all three points · uses contractions naturally (I'd, it's, you're) · appropriate informal greeting and sign-off · warm closing that encourages a response · 154 words ✓
Addressing All Points
One of the most important aspects of email writing is making sure you address every point mentioned in the question. Missing a point will lose you marks.
How to identify points
Question: "Write an email to your cousin. In your email: describe your new school, explain what you like about it, and suggest meeting up during the holidays."
Point 1: Describe your new school
Point 2: Explain what you like about it
Point 3: Suggest meeting up during the holidays
Opening: Thank them for their email
Paragraph 1: Points 1 & 2 — describe school + what you like
Paragraph 2: Point 3 — suggest meeting up
Closing: Friendly ending
Before you start writing, underline or circle each point in the question. As you write, tick them off to make sure you don't miss any.
Practice planning task
"Your friend has asked about your new hobby. Write an email and: explain what your hobby is, say why you enjoy it, and encourage them to try it." — Identify the three points and plan which paragraph covers each before writing.
Informal Language Features
Informal emails should sound natural and friendly. Use these language features to achieve the right tone.
Use contractions — essential ✓
I'm, you're, he's, it's, we're, they're
I've, you've, we've, they've
I'd, you'd, we'd, they'd
won't, can't, don't, didn't, haven't
Avoid full forms ✗
I am → I'm
You are → You're
It is → It's
Do not → Don't
Informal vocabulary replacements
"I am writing to inform you" → "I wanted to tell you"
"I apologize for the delay" → "Sorry I didn't write sooner"
"I hope this finds you well" → "Hope you're doing well"
"Please let me know" → "Let me know"
Conversational phrases to use
Anyway, … / By the way, … / Guess what? / You know what?
That's great! / Sounds good! / That's amazing!
I'd better go now / Speak soon / Write back soon
Text speak (lol, btw, u, r) · overly casual slang (Hey dude, What's up?) · inappropriate topics or humour
Managing Your Word Count
Too short — under 120 words
Add more details: "I went to Spain for two weeks and stayed in a beautiful coastal town"
Include feelings: "I was so excited when…" / "It was amazing because…"
Ask questions: "What have you been up to lately?"
Too long — over 160 words
Remove unnecessary details — focus on the main points
Combine short sentences: "I went. It was great." → "I went and it was great."
Cut repetition — don't say the same thing twice
- Opening line: ~10–15 words
- Each main paragraph: ~35–45 words
- Closing line: ~15–20 words
- Total: 120–160 words (greeting and sign-off not counted)
Practice Questions
Choose one and write a complete email (120–160 words, ~20 minutes)
Q1 — Friend: You have received an email from your friend asking about your birthday party. Write an email: thank them for their message, tell them about the party, and ask what gift they would like for their birthday.
Q2 — Cousin: Your cousin has asked for advice about choosing a new hobby. Write an email: suggest a hobby, explain why it's good, and offer to help them get started.
Q3 — Pen pal: You received an email from your pen pal asking about your daily routine. Write back: describe your typical day, explain what you enjoy most, and ask about their routine.
Q4 — Friend: Your friend has invited you to stay with them during the holidays. Write an email: thank them for the invitation, say whether you can go, and suggest some activities you could do together.
Write your complete email here
Checking Your Work
Always leave 3–5 minutes to check your email carefully.
Step 1: Count words — 120–160?
Step 2: Check all question points are addressed
Step 3: Verify greeting and sign-off are informal
Step 4: Check for contractions — "I'm" not "I am"
Step 5: Review tone — friendly and natural?
Step 6: Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Common errors to fix
Spelling: recieve → receive / definately → definitely
Grammar: "I look forward to hear" → "I look forward to hearing"
Tone: "I am writing to inform you" → "I wanted to tell you"
Contractions: "I am" → "I'm" / "You are" → "You're"
Read your email aloud quietly to check it sounds natural · confirm each question point is addressed · check informal language is used throughout · count words carefully — don't include greeting or sign-off
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Too formal
"Dear Sir, I am writing to inform you that I have recently returned from my holiday." → Use contractions and informal greetings: "Hi Tom, I just got back from my holiday and had an amazing time!"
Missing points
The question asks for 3 things — only addressing 2 loses marks. Underline each point in the question before writing and tick them off as you go.
No contractions
"I am so happy you are coming. It is going to be great!" → "I'm so happy you're coming. It's going to be great!" — Always use contractions in informal emails.
Wrong sign-off
"Yours faithfully, Alex" / "Yours sincerely, Alex" → Use informal sign-offs: "Best wishes, Alex" or "Love, Alex"
Poor organisation
One long paragraph covering all points → Use clear structure: opening + 2 main paragraphs + closing.
Quick Reference Guide
Greeting: Hi [name], / Dear [name],
Opening: Acknowledge their email (10–15 words)
Paragraph 1: Address points 1–2 (35–45 words)
Paragraph 2: Address remaining points (35–45 words)
Closing: Warm ending + future reference (15–20 words)
Sign-off: Best wishes, / Love, [Your name]
Total: 120–160 words
Essential informal language
Openings: Thanks for your email! / Great to hear from you! / Sorry I didn't reply sooner!
Connecting: By the way, / Anyway, / Also, / Plus
Suggesting: Why don't you…? / How about…? / Maybe we could…
Closings: Write back soon! / Hope to see you soon! / Can't wait to hear from you!
Must-do checklist
- Use informal greeting and sign-off
- Use contractions (I'm, you're, it's)
- Address ALL points in the question
- Keep tone friendly and conversational
- Stay within 120–160 words
Self-Assessment Checklist
Content & task achievement
- I addressed ALL points from the question
- I provided enough detail for each point
- I stayed on topic throughout
- I included relevant examples or details
Structure & organisation
- I used an appropriate informal greeting
- I wrote a friendly opening line
- I organised content into 2 clear main paragraphs
- I wrote a warm closing line
- I used an appropriate informal sign-off
Language & style
- My word count is between 120–160 words
- I used contractions throughout (I'm, you're, etc.)
- My tone is friendly and conversational
- I used informal vocabulary appropriately
- My spelling and grammar are accurate
Final Tips for Success
Week 1–2: Practise greetings, openings, and closings (10 min daily)
Week 3–4: Write complete emails on different topics (20 min, 3× per week)
Week 5–6: Focus on improving weak areas from self-assessment
Week 7–8: Timed practice under exam conditions (20 minutes per email)
Good luck with your IGCSE ESL exam.