Formal invitation as opposed to letter Writing
Learning Objectives :
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to
- Recall and describe informal invitations and letter writing
- Contrast the features of formal invitations and letter writing
- Write a formal invitation and a formal letter
- Write responses to formal invitations
Learning Activities
- Pupils, as class, brainstorm to list occasion that require formal invitations
- Pupils, as groups, state reasons for formal invitations eg important dignitaries, need to invitation as evidence, for descriptions, for direction, and reminders
- Class discusses the format for responding to a formal invitation invitation
- Pupils in small group study samples of wedding invitation card, marriage invitation card, graduation invitation card, house warming invitation card that are provided by class teacher’s asked teaching aids
- Pupils in pairs, draft and responses to the forms invitations of their pen in the their’s own languages with teachers guiding them on what steps to take.
Embedded Core Skills
- Communication and Collaboration
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Leadership skills and Personal Development
- Creativity and Imagination
Learning Materials
- Charts
- Response cards or RSVP cards (if available)
- Writing materials (e.g. pen and paper, computer)
- Wall charts
- Samples of a form of invitation formal letter
Building Background /connection to prior knowledge : Students are familiar with letter writing and have written a good number of
Formal invitations and letter writing are traditional forms of communication that are still widely used today, particularly for special occasions or formal business purposes. These types of correspondence are often characterized by their polite and formal tone, as well as their use of specific language and formatting conventions.
- Formal Invitations: These types of invitations are typically used for events such as weddings, galas, fundraisers, and other formal gatherings. They often include the following elements:
- The host’s name(s)
- The type of event (e.g. “invitation to the wedding of”)
- The date, time, and location of the event
- RSVP information (e.g. a date by which guests should respond, and a method for responding)
- Dress code (if applicable)
- Additional details such as registry information, or other special requests.
- Formal Letter Writing: Formal letters are typically used for business, academic, and other professional purposes. They often include the following elements:
- A letterhead (if the letter is on official letterhead)
- The date
- The recipient’s name, title, and address
- A salutation (e.g. “Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name”)
- A formal opening sentence that indicates the purpose of the letter.
- The body of the letter, which should be clear, concise, and well-organized, and explains the purpose of the letter in detail
- A closing sentence that indicates that the letter has ended, and that the sender would like a response.
- A closing (e.g. “Sincerely”)
- The sender’s name and title, if not included in the letterhead
It is worth noting that Formal invitations and letter writing are usually written in a very formal tone, using language that is proper, polite and sophisticated, with the proper use of punctuation, grammar, and capitalization. It is also important to proofread any formal invitations or letters before sending them, as mistakes can reflect poorly on the sender.
- Which of the following elements are typically included in a formal invitation? a) The host’s name(s) b) The type of event c) The date, time, and location of the event d) All of the above
- What is the purpose of RSVP information in a formal invitation? a) To provide guests with information about how to respond to the invitation b) To inform guests about the dress code for the event c) To give guests information about registry information d) None of the above
- What type of events are formal invitations typically used for? a) Weddings b) Fundraisers c) Informal gatherings d) All of the above
- What should be the tone of a formal invitation? a) Casual b) Formal c) Informal d) None of the above
- Which of the following elements are typically included in a formal letter? a) A letterhead b) The date c) The recipient’s name and address d) All of the above
- What is the purpose of a salutation in a formal letter? a) To indicate the purpose of the letter b) To address the recipient by name c) To provide a closing sentence d) None of the above
- How should the body of a formal letter be written? a) Clear, concise and well-organized b) Casual and informal c) Confusing and disorganized d) None of the above
- What should the closing sentence of a formal letter indicate? a) That the letter has ended b) That the sender would like a response c) That the sender is looking forward to hearing from the recipient d) All of the above
- What should be the closing of a formal letter? a) “Sincerely” b) “Best Regards” c) “Yours Truly” d) All of the above
- Why is it important to proofread a formal invitations or letters before sending them? a) To catch any mistakes in grammar and punctuation b) To check the accuracy of the information included c) To ensure that the tone and formatting are correct d) All of the above
The features of formal invitation and letter writing
Formal invitations and letter writing are traditional forms of communication that have specific features that set them apart from other types of correspondence. Here are some key ways in which formal invitations and letters differ:
- Purpose: Formal invitations are used to invite guests to attend a specific event, such as a wedding or gala, whereas formal letters are used for a wide range of professional and academic purposes, such as business communication or submitting job application.
- Format: Formal invitations are often printed on high-quality paper and may include graphics or designs, while formal letters are typically typed on plain paper and include a letterhead if they are sent on behalf of an organization or business.
- Tone: Formal invitations are usually written in a polite and gracious tone, with language that is formal and appropriate for the occasion, while letters are often more formal and tend to be more formal then casual.
- Language: Formal invitations often include specific language conventions, such as the use of formal titles (e.g. “Mr. and Mrs.”), whereas formal letters may use more technical or industry-specific language.
- RSVP: Formal invitations typically include an RSVP (i.e. “respondez s’il vous plaît”) to confirm attendance of the guest. Formal letters don’t have this feature.
- Additional Information: Formal invitations may also include information about dress code, registry information, and other special requests, whereas formal letters tend to focus on the main purpose of the letter.
- Design: Formal invitations usually include a design element or illustration while formal letters usually are plain and simple, focusing on the content and organization of the letter.
- Signature: Formal invitations are usually signed by the host(s) while formal letters are signed by the sender.
- Closing: Formal invitations usually don’t have a closing while formal letters always have a closing that indicates that the letter has ended and that the sender would like a response.
- Proofreading: Formal invitations and letters are usually carefully proofread and edited, to ensure that they are free from errors and communicate the desired message effectively.
A sample invitation letter
Dear Mr. Matthew,
You are cordially invited to the birthday celebration of Mr. Tony on 12th April, 2023 at the Arise Event Centre in Lagos. The event will begin at 2:00pm, and it would be an honor to have you in attendance.
This is going to be a great celebration with lots of fun and laughter. We hope you can make it and be a part of the birthday celebration of one of the most important persons in our life.
Kindly RSVP to confirm your attendance, and let us know if you have any special requirements.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Warm regards,
Mr Anthony
1 Who is the invitation from?
2 What is the event?
3 When will the event start ?
4 Where will the event take place?
Remember that a formal invitation must use formal English e.g.: ‘request the pleasure of your company’, and any decoration must also be formal. A formal invitation must give all the important information shown above.
R.S.V.P. is an abbreviation for the French for ‘Please reply’.
You can use informal English in an informal invitation (eg: ‘Come to my party’) and you can decorate it the way you want.
Formal letters
A formal letter is also known as an official or business letter. It is a type of letter that you write to an office or to someone you do not know very well. Some features of a formal letter are as follows:
1 Write your address on the top right-hand side of the page.
2 Place the date directly below your address.
3 Place the receiver’s address on the left-hand side of the page.
4 Give the person you’re writing to a salutation.
5 Write the subject of the letter in one brief topic.
6 Put the body of the letter in paragraphs.
7 Write the final salutation (closing) at the right-hand side of the page, followed by your signature and full name.
8 Proof read your letter to correct any spelling or grammar errors.
Evaluation:
- List tens new words from the comprehension read and use them in a sentence
- What is dialogue conversation
- What is letter writing?
- List three features of an informal letter.