Informal Letter (Leaving Cert German): Revision Notes
Informal Letter
What is an informal letter?
An informal letter is a personal communication you write to someone you know well, such as a friend, family member, or pen pal. In the Leaving Cert German exam, this task allows you to demonstrate your ability to communicate in a relaxed, friendly style whilst sharing personal experiences, opinions, and feelings. Unlike formal letters, informal letters use casual language and the "du" form of address.
The informal letter is typically longer than a postcard but shorter than an essay, giving you space to develop your ideas across several paragraphs whilst maintaining a conversational tone throughout.
Guidelines for structure and content
Begin your letter with a friendly greeting using the person's name, then acknowledge any previous correspondence. Organise your main content into clear paragraphs, with each paragraph focusing on a different topic or event. Include personal opinions and explain your reasons to show depth of thought.
Use a variety of tenses to demonstrate your grammatical range - past tense for completed events, present tense for current situations, and future tense for plans. Always maintain the informal "du" form throughout the letter, and finish with a warm closing that encourages future contact.
Remember to write in a natural, conversational style as if you're actually speaking to your friend. This means using contractions, informal expressions, and showing genuine interest in the recipient's life.
Example Structure for an Informal Letter:
Opening: Liebe Maria, danke für deinen Brief! Es war toll, von dir zu hören.
Main Content:
- Paragraph 1: Recent activities (past tense)
- Paragraph 2: Current situation (present tense)
- Paragraph 3: Future plans (future tense)
Closing: Ich hoffe, dich bald zu sehen. Schreib mir bald zurück! Viele Grüße, [Your name]
Phrase bank
| German | English |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Ich schreibe dir, um... | I'm writing to you to... |
| Letzte Woche | Last week |
| Am Wochenende | At the weekend |
| Gestern / Heute / Morgen | Yesterday / Today / Tomorrow |
| Nächstes Jahr | Next year |
| Ich habe... gemacht | I did... |
| Ich bin... gegangen | I went... |
| Es war... | It was... |
| lustig / langweilig / toll / schrecklich | funny / boring / great / terrible |
| 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 |
These phrases form the foundation of informal German correspondence. Practice incorporating them naturally into your writing to create authentic, conversational letters.
Common mistakes and tips
Many students forget to maintain the informal register throughout their letter, accidentally switching to "Sie" forms. Always use "du," "dich," "dir," and "dein" when addressing your friend. Another frequent error is using only present tense - make sure to include past events and future plans to show grammatical variety.
Critical Grammar Point: Pay attention to German word order, especially in subordinate clauses introduced by "weil" (because) or "dass" (that) - the verb goes to the end of these clauses. Don't forget capital letters for all nouns, and remember that days of the week and months are masculine in German.
Avoid repetitive sentence starters by varying how you begin each paragraph. Instead of starting every sentence with "Ich," try using time expressions, connecting words, or other sentence structures to create more interesting prose.
Common Pitfall: Students sometimes write too formally or include inappropriate content for a personal letter. Keep the tone light and friendly, focusing on everyday activities, personal experiences, and genuine emotions that you might actually share with a close friend.
Key Points to Remember:
- Use "du" forms throughout to maintain the informal, friendly tone
- Include a mix of past, present, and future tenses to demonstrate grammatical range
- Structure your letter clearly: greeting → acknowledgement → main content in paragraphs → friendly closing
- Express personal opinions with reasons to show depth of communication
- Vary your sentence starters and vocabulary to avoid repetition and create engaging writing