Writing Practice

I. A Brief Introduction

Write a Letter of Invitation

Invitations can be formal or informal based on the situation at hand. Formal invitations are usually laid out (设计) according to the traditional pattern and they are available at the stationer’s. If you purchase one, all you have to do is write the name(s) of the recipient(s), the nature of the event, the time, and the date in the blank spaces provided. The informal one, on the other hand, demand more personal creativity.

II. Tips for Writing Invitations

1) An informal invitation or acknowledgement is written in the same comfortable style and tone that you would use to write an informal letter.

2) Make sure your invitation offers all the information that your recipient needs — the purpose of gathering, the names of recipients, the precise date, time, and place.

3) Generally speaking, informal invitations should be mailed at least two weeks prior to a gathering.

4) In writing an acknowledgement, you should state clearly whether you’ll be there or not. If you are sending your regrets, you should offer a brief explanation of why you can’t come.

5) Your acknowledgement should also repeat the date, and (if appropriate) the place. Time is often mentioned in an informal acceptance.

III. Sample Letters

1) Formal invitation

Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Stack

request the honour of your presence

at the marriage of their daughter

Sally Stack

to

Mr. Darrin Green

on Friday, May 16th

2008

at three o’clock

12 Carmine Street

Albany,  New York 12207

RSVP

* RSVP: (= please reply)

NB:

In formal invitations for dinners, parties, and events other than weddings, “request the pleasure of your company” is used instead of “request the honor of your presence”.

2) Informal invitation

Dear Lucy,

Trent and I are planning a dinner party on Saturday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m.. We’d very much like to have you come. Such a long time has passed since we joined up together last time!

Please let us know if you’ll be able to join us.

Affectionately,

Barbara

3) Informal acceptance

Dear Barbara,

I would love to come to the dinner party that you and Trent are having on Saturday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m.. Thank you for inviting me. It has, indeed, been too long a time since we last saw each other!

Your friend,

Lucy

4) Informal regrets

Dear Barbara,

Thank you so much for inviting me to your dinner party on Saturday, June 14. Unfortunately, much to my sorrow, I won’t be able to be there, as I have already promised to help supervise the Cancer Aid Benefit in Glenhaven that evening.

Hopefully we’ll find another opportunity to get together soon.

Love,

Lucy