Informal Letter (Junior Cert German): Revision Notes
📚Revision Notes
Informal Letter
What is an informal letter?
An informal letter is a personal communication you send to someone you know well, like a friend or family member. In your German exam, this type of writing task allows you to share details about your experiences, express your feelings, and give your opinions in a relaxed, friendly way. Unlike formal letters, informal letters use casual language and personal tone to create a warm connection with the reader.
Note
The key difference between informal and formal letters is the level of familiarity and language style. Informal letters allow you to be more personal and use everyday German expressions that you might use when speaking to a close friend.
This task type is longer than a postcard, giving you space to develop your ideas more fully. You'll typically write about recent events, future plans, or respond to news from your friend. The informal letter demonstrates your ability to communicate naturally in German while showing off your vocabulary and grammar skills.
Guidelines for structure and content
Writing a successful informal letter follows a clear pattern that helps you organise your thoughts and create a natural flow. Start your letter with a friendly greeting using the person's name, then acknowledge any previous communication by thanking them for their letter or message.
Structure your main content in separate paragraphs, with each paragraph focusing on a different topic or event. This keeps your writing clear and easy to follow. Mix different tenses throughout your letter to show your grammar range - talk about past events, describe current situations, and mention future plans.
Important
Remember to include your personal opinions and explain your reasons for feeling a certain way. This adds depth to your writing and shows you can express complex ideas in German.
End your letter with a warm, friendly closing that encourages future communication. The tone should remain informal throughout, which means using "du" forms instead of formal "Sie" forms. This creates the personal, relaxed atmosphere appropriate for writing to a friend or family member.
Phrase bank
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Opening & greetings | |
| Liebe Maria / Lieber Tom | Dear Maria / Dear Tom |
| Hallo | Hello |
| Wie geht's? | How are you? |
| Mir geht's gut | I'm well |
| Danke für deinen Brief | Thanks for your letter |
| Es war toll, von dir zu hören | It was great to hear from you |
| Introducing topics | |
| Ich schreibe dir, um... | I'm writing to you to... |
| Time expressions | |
| Letzte Woche | Last week |
| am Wochenende | at the weekend |
| Gestern | Yesterday |
| Heute | today |
| Morgen | tomorrow |
| nächstes Jahr | next year |
| Describing activities | |
| Ich habe ... gemacht | I did... |
| Ich bin ... gegangen | I went... |
| Es war... | It was... |
| Opinions & descriptions | |
| lustig | funny |
| langweilig | boring |
| toll | great |
| schrecklich | terrible |
| Closing phrases | |
| Ich hoffe, dich bald zu sehen | I hope to see you soon |
| Schreib mir bald zurück | Write back soon |
| Viele Grüße | Best wishes |
| Liebe Grüße | Kind regards |
Note
These phrases form the backbone of your informal letter. Try to memorise at least 2-3 phrases from each category to give yourself flexibility when writing under exam conditions.
Common mistakes and tips
Many students struggle with maintaining the informal tone throughout their letter. Remember to use "du" forms consistently rather than mixing formal and informal language. This includes using "dich" instead of "Sie" and "dein" instead of "Ihr".
Important
Word Order Warning: Word order can be tricky, especially in subordinate clauses that begin with words like "weil" (because) or "dass" (that). In these clauses, the verb moves to the end of the sentence. Practice this pattern to avoid common errors.
Don't forget that German nouns need capital letters, even in the middle of sentences. This is different from English and often catches students out. Take time to check your nouns when proofreading.
Important
Avoid Repetition: Vary your sentence starters to make your writing more engaging and show your language range. Instead of starting every sentence with "Ich", try beginning with time expressions, connectors, or other elements.
Include at least one clear opinion with a supporting reason in your letter. This demonstrates higher-level thinking and helps you achieve better marks. Use phrases like "Ich denke, dass..." (I think that...) or "Meiner Meinung nach..." (In my opinion...).
Summary
Key Points to Remember:
- Use informal "du" forms throughout your letter to maintain the friendly, personal tone
- Structure your letter with clear paragraphs: greeting, thank them, share news, ask questions, friendly closing
- Include a mix of past, present, and future tenses to demonstrate your grammar knowledge
- Express at least one opinion with a reason to show complex thinking
- Check that all German nouns have capital letters and pay attention to word order in subordinate clauses