Welcome back! In the previous lessons, we thoroughly covered the world of formal invitations and replies. Now, we'll switch gears from the official and ceremonial to the personal and friendly. This lesson focuses on the format and tone of informal invitations and their replies, a skill that is just as important for your CBSE exam.
Your goal for this session is to quickly revise and confidently recall the format and personal tone required for writing an informal invitation to a friend or relative, as well as how to accept or decline such an invitation. We'll stick to the 50-word limit and focus on board-exam-level examples.
What Makes an Invitation "Informal"?
Unlike formal invitations that are written in a rigid, third-person style for official events, informal invitations are essentially short, personal letters. You write them to friends, family, and close acquaintances for personal events like birthday parties, get-togethers, or holiday visits.
The key characteristics are:
- Format: Follows the structure of a simple personal letter.
- Tone: Warm, friendly, and relaxed.
- Person: Uses the first and second person (I, we, you).
- Structure: No subject line, receiver's address, or formal phrasing.
- Presentation: Not enclosed in a box.
The Informal Invitation: Format and Example
Let's start by looking at the structure of an informal invitation. The following video provides an excellent, quick revision of the format with fixed lines that you can adapt for any question.
Informal invitation class 12 | Informal invitation and replies class 12
Watch this video by Simran Sahni to quickly grasp the format and see an example of an informal invitation being written.
First, watch from the beginning to the 3:05 mark. The presenter will introduce informal invitations and break down the basic format: Sender's Address, Date, Salutation (Dear...), and Body. Then, continue watching from 3:05 to 5:26 as she walks through a complete example for a birthday party. Pay close attention to the friendly tone and the essential details included: the occasion, date, time, and venue.
To summarise the format:
- Sender’s Address: On the top-left.
- Date: Below the address, after leaving a line.
- Salutation:
Dear [Friend's Name],orMy dear [Friend's Name],. - Body: A few friendly opening lines, followed by the invitation details (Occasion, Date, Time, Venue). Conclude with a warm closing statement.
- Complimentary Close:
Yours affectionately,orYours lovingly,. - Sender's Name: Your first name.
Here is a static image that breaks down the format visually, which can be very helpful for a quick glance before your exam.
Replying to an Informal Invitation
Replying to an informal invitation follows the exact same personal letter format. You simply need to change the content to either accept or refuse the invitation. The tone remains warm and personal.
Let's continue with the same video, as it covers replies perfectly.
Informal invitation class 12 | Informal invitation and replies class 12
This part of the video explains how to write both an acceptance and a refusal for an informal invitation.
First, watch the section on acceptance from 5:26 to 7:59. Notice how the reply first acknowledges the invitation and then confirms attendance with enthusiasm. Next, watch the section on refusal from 8:59 to 10:56. Pay attention to the polite way of declining. It's important to thank the person, give a valid reason (like a prior engagement or being out of town), and convey your best wishes.
Reinforcing with Board-Level Examples
To ensure you've mastered the format, let's look at some clear, typed-out examples that mirror what you would write in your exam.
Formal & Informal Invitation | Class XII
This webpage provides concise, board-exam-level examples for an informal invitation and its replies.
First, scroll down to the heading INFORMAL INVITATION. Read the "Points to Remember" and the solved example for inviting a friend to a post-selection party. Next, review the INFORMAL ACCEPTANCE example, noting how Rahul accepts Anuj's invitation. Finally, look at the INFORMAL REFUSAL example, where Rahul politely declines the same invitation, providing a reason and best wishes.
This image provides another excellent visual for an informal refusal.
Finally, let's see exactly how CBSE evaluates this question. The official marking scheme gives a clear breakdown of what is expected.
CBSE Marking Scheme for Informal Invitation
This is an extract from an official CBSE document showing a question and its marking scheme.
Look at Q.3, Option II in the "Advanced Writing Skills" section. The question asks you to draft an informal invitation for a get-together. Then, find the corresponding marking scheme for Option II. Notice how the 1 mark for format is allocated: Sender's Address, Date, and Salutation. The 2 marks for content require the occasion, date, time, and venue. This is the checklist the examiner will use.
Conclusion
You have now completed a quick but thorough revision of informal invitations and replies. You understand the personal tone and letter-style format that sets them apart from their formal counterparts.
Key Takeaways:
- Format: An informal invitation or reply is a short personal letter. It includes: Sender's Address, Date, Salutation (
Dear...), Body, and a warm closing (Yours affectionately,). - Tone: Keep it warm, friendly, and personal. Use "I" and "you."
- Content (Invitation): Clearly state the occasion, date, time, and venue.
- Content (Reply): Thank your friend, express pleasure or regret, and confirm your attendance or provide a reason for declining.
- Rules: Stay within the 50-word limit, and do not use a box.
In the next lesson, we will move on to the long writing tasks, starting with the Letter to the Editor. This will involve a shift in focus from conveying simple information to building and structuring arguments on social issues.