Letter (Leaving Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
📚Revision Notes
Informal letter
What is an informal letter?
An informal letter in Spanish is a personal piece of writing where you communicate with friends, family members, or people you know well.
The informal letter differs from formal correspondence because you use a relaxed, friendly tone and casual expressions. You're writing as if you're having a conversation with someone you know personally, which means you can include personal details, emotions, and informal language that would be inappropriate in business or official letters.
Note
The informal letter task appears on every Ordinary Level Spanish paper, making it one of the most predictable sections of the exam. This consistency means that time spent mastering this format will definitely pay off on exam day.
Guidelines for writing
Understanding the task requirements
Your informal letter will typically present you with five specific points that you must address. Each point carries 8 marks, giving you a total of 40 marks for this section. This means you cannot skip any points - every single one must be covered adequately to achieve full marks.
The exam question will set up a scenario, such as writing to a Spanish friend about a recent trip or sharing news about your life. You'll need to respond to all the bullet points provided, ensuring your letter feels natural and conversational while covering the required content.
Important
Critical Mark Breakdown:
- 5 required points × 8 marks each = 40 marks total
- You must address every single point - missing even one point means losing 8 marks
- This represents a significant portion of your overall writing grade
Structure and layout
The layout of your informal letter follows a specific Spanish format that examiners expect to see. Start by placing the location and date in the top right corner, using the format "Ciudad, día de mes" (remembering to use a lowercase letter for the month). For example: "Dublín, 23 de junio".
Begin your letter with an appropriate greeting. Use "Querido" followed by a masculine name, or "Querida" followed by a feminine name, always followed by a colon. This personal greeting immediately establishes the informal tone of your letter.
Organise your content into clear paragraphs, dedicating each paragraph to addressing one or more of the required points. This structure helps examiners easily identify that you've covered all necessary content. Aim to write at least two to three sentences for each point to demonstrate your language skills and provide adequate detail.
Note
Layout Checklist:
- Date and location in top right corner (lowercase month)
- Personal greeting with colon ("Querido/Querida [name]:")
- Clear paragraph structure
- 2-3 sentences minimum per required point
Tone and register
The informal register in Spanish allows you to use relaxed vocabulary and expressions that show familiarity with your reader. You can share personal feelings, use exclamations, and ask direct questions. This contrasts with formal letters where you must maintain professional distance and use more sophisticated vocabulary.
Your language should sound natural and friendly, as if you're genuinely excited to share news or catch up with your friend. Include personal touches and show interest in your reader's life by asking questions or making references to shared experiences.
Phrase bank
Note
Using the Phrase Bank Effectively: These phrases are your foundation for natural-sounding Spanish letters. Memorise several options from each category so you can choose the most appropriate one based on your specific exam question scenario.
| Spanish Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Opening phrases | |
| ¿Qué tal por ahí? | How are things there? |
| Siento no haberte escrito antes | Sorry for not writing sooner |
| Gracias por el correo electrónico que me mandaste ayer | Thanks for the email you sent me yesterday |
| Muchas gracias por el regalo que recibí la semana pasada | Thanks for the present I got last week |
| ¡Feliz cumpleaños! | Happy Birthday! |
| ¡Feliz Navidad! | Happy Christmas! |
| Closing phrases | |
| Escríbeme pronto | Write back soon |
| Sígueme en Instagram | Follow me on Instagram |
| Te mandaré un mensaje luego | I'll send you a message later |
| Dile hola a tu hermana | Say hi to your sister |
| Saludos de mi parte a tus padres | Give my regards to your parents |
| ¡Hasta pronto! | See you soon! |
| Un abrazo | Love from... |
Sample answer analysis
Example
Worked Example: 2018 Toledo Letter Analysis
Here's how a well-structured informal letter responding to the 2018 exam question about visiting Toledo demonstrates excellent technique:
Structure Analysis: The sample letter demonstrates excellent structure by opening with "Querida María:" and including the proper date format. The writer uses the opening phrase "Siento no haberte escrito antes pero he estado muy ocupado con los exámenes" which naturally introduces why they're writing now.
Content Coverage: Each required point receives dedicated attention across separate paragraphs. The writer:
- Thanks María for the holiday invitation
- Describes two specific things they liked about Toledo (the small historic streets and impressive cathedral)
- Mentions enjoying typical Toledan food
- Discusses the Spanish sunshine versus Irish weather
Tone Achievement: The letter maintains an informal tone throughout by using contractions, personal opinions ("¡Qué rica!"), and direct questions ("¿Qué vas a hacer este verano? ¿Cómo están tus padres?"). The closing combines a practical statement about looking for summer work with warm personal touches like sending regards to the family.
Common mistakes and tips
Avoiding register confusion
One frequent error is mixing formal and informal language within the same letter. Remember that you're writing to a friend, so avoid overly polite phrases like "Le agradezco" (formal) and instead use "Gracias" (informal). Similarly, don't use "usted" forms - stick to "tú" throughout your letter.
Important
Register Rules:
- Always use "tú" forms - never "usted" in informal letters
- Choose casual vocabulary over formal alternatives
- Avoid phrases like "Le agradezco" or "Le saluda atentamente"
- Use contractions and relaxed expressions naturally
Structural accuracy
Many students forget essential structural elements. Always include the date and location in the correct format, and don't forget the colon after your greeting. These small details show examiners that you understand Spanish letter conventions.
Important
Essential Structure Elements:
- Date and location in top right corner
- Lowercase letter for the month
- Colon after "Querido/Querida [name]"
- Clear paragraph breaks
- Appropriate closing phrase
Content coverage
Ensure you address every single point mentioned in the exam question. A common mistake is spending too much time on one interesting point while rushing through others. Plan your paragraphs before you start writing to ensure balanced coverage.
Language accuracy
Pay careful attention to accent marks, as they can change meaning entirely. Check your verb tenses match the time frame you're discussing - use past tenses when describing completed events and future tenses when discussing plans. Also verify that adjectives agree with their nouns in gender and number.
Important
Accuracy Checklist:
- Accent marks placed correctly
- Verb tenses match time frame
- Adjective-noun agreement (gender and number)
- Spelling of memorised phrases
- Consistent informal register throughout
Natural flow
Avoid making your letter sound like a checklist by connecting your ideas smoothly. Use linking words and phrases to create natural transitions between topics, and let your personality show through your choice of vocabulary and expressions.
Summary
Key Points to Remember:
- Each of the five required points is worth 8 marks, so you must address all of them thoroughly
- Use "Querido/Querida" plus a colon for your greeting, and place the date in the top right corner using Spanish format
- Write at least 2-3 sentences per required point to demonstrate adequate language use and detail
- Maintain informal register throughout - use "tú" forms and casual expressions appropriate for writing to a friend
- Learn key opening and closing phrases to start and end your letter confidently and naturally