How to Write an Informal Email to a Friend
- Wisdom point
- Jun 28
- 6 min read
WISDOM POINT · STUDENT WRITING FORMATS
QUICK ANSWER To write an informal email, start with a short, friendly subject line and a relaxed greeting such as Hi Emma. Open by asking how your friend is, then share your news in a warm, chatty voice. Ask them something back, then close with a casual sign off such as Take care or See you soon, followed by your first name. |
An informal email is the friendly cousin of the formal one. It is what you send to a friend, a cousin, or anyone you know well, and the goal is warmth rather than polish. The good news is that it is far more relaxed to write, because you simply sound like yourself. At Wisdom Point, we teach the informal email right alongside the formal one, so students learn to switch their tone to match their reader, which is one of the most valuable writing skills there is.
This guide explains what an informal email is, the format it follows, and how to write one step by step. You will find two full examples, friendly tips, common mistakes to avoid, and answers to the questions students ask most. As always, the format is cross checked against the major curricula.
What Is an Informal Email?
An informal email is a relaxed, personal message sent to someone you know well. The tone is warm and conversational, the language is everyday, and you write much as you would speak. You might share news, make plans, say thank you, or simply catch up.
The opposite is a formal email, which is polite and professional and used for teachers, employers, or organisations. The biggest difference is tone. An informal email feels like a chat, while a formal one feels like an official note. Knowing which one to reach for is a skill Wisdom Point students practise until it feels automatic.
The Format of an Informal Email
Even a friendly email has a simple shape. These six parts keep your message clear and easy to read, while still sounding relaxed.
Part | What it is | Example |
Subject line | A short, friendly clue to your message. | My first week on the team |
Greeting | A relaxed hello to your friend. | Hi Emma, |
Opening | A warm pleasantry to begin. | How are you? Hope you are well. |
Body | Your news, in a natural, chatty voice. | I have been wanting to tell you... |
Closing | A friendly line, often with a question back. | Write back soon and tell me everything! |
Sign off | A warm closing and your first name. | Take care, Olivia |
HOW THIS FORMAT WORKS ACROSS BOARDSInformal email writing tests whether a student can match tone to audience. CBSE and ICSE still expect a subject line, a greeting, a clear body and a friendly sign off, with a warm register throughout. IGCSE and IB reward a consistent, natural friendly tone, while US Common Core values writing that fits its reader. One relaxed format meets all of these, which is why Wisdom Point teaches a single clear version your child can use anywhere. |
How to Write an Informal Email Step by Step
1. Write a short, friendly subject line that hints at your news, such as My first week on the team.
2. Greet your friend warmly, with Hi, Hey, or Hello and their first name.
3. Open with a pleasantry. Ask how they are or mention how long it has been.
4. Share your news in a natural, chatty voice, using short, easy paragraphs.
5. Ask your friend something back, so they have a reason to reply.
6. Close warmly, with a sign off such as Take care, See you soon, or Love, then your first name.
Informal Email Example 1: Sharing News With a Friend
Here is a complete informal email sharing some news. Notice the friendly greeting, the relaxed tone, the question back, and the casual sign off.
EXAMPLE 1 Subject: My first week on the football team Hi Emma, How are you? I hope your summer is going well. I have been wanting to tell you all about my first week on the school football team. The training is tougher than I expected, and on the first day I could barely walk home. But yesterday I scored in a practice match and the whole team cheered. I have not felt that happy in ages. Coach even said I have a real eye for goal. How is your dancing going? Have you started the new class yet? Write back soon and tell me everything. Take care, Olivia |
Informal Email Example 2: Inviting a Cousin to Visit
This second example makes a plan. The tone is just as warm, and it ends with a clear question so the reader knows how to reply.
EXAMPLE 2 Subject: Come and stay in the holidays! Hey Daniel, It feels like ages since we last spoke. I hope you and the family are all well. I was talking to Mum, and she said you could come and stay with us for a week in the holidays. There is a brilliant new skate park near our house, and the beach is only a short bus ride away. We could finally finish that card game we never got to the end of last year. Let me know which week works for you, and I will sort out the rest. I really hope you can make it. See you soon, Noah |
Tips for Writing an Informal Email
• Write the way you talk to your friend. Warmth matters more than polish here.
• It is fine to use contractions such as I'm, you're, and we'll. They make the email sound natural.
• Still keep it readable. Use short paragraphs and real sentences, not one long block.
• Always ask a question back, so your friend has something to reply to.
• Avoid text-message shortcuts like u, plz, or l8r, especially in exams.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Being too formal, so the email sounds cold to a close friend.
• Forgetting the subject line or the greeting, which are still part of the format.
• Writing on and on without ever asking the reader a single question.
• Slipping into text speak such as u, gr8, or ttyl.
• Forgetting to sign your name at the end.
Informal Email or Informal Letter: What Is the Difference?
They share the same warm voice. An informal email has no postal address and uses a subject line, while an informal letter begins with the writer's address and the date. The friendly tone, the chatty body, and the affectionate sign off are the same in both. You can read our full guide to informal letter writing for the complete layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an informal email?
An informal email is a friendly, relaxed message you send to someone you know well, such as a friend or a family member. It uses a warm greeting, a chatty tone, and a casual sign off.
How do you start an informal email?
Start with a short, friendly subject line, then a relaxed greeting such as Hi Emma or Hey Daniel. Open by asking how the person is or mentioning how long it has been.
What is the format of an informal email?
An informal email has a subject line, a friendly greeting, an opening pleasantry, a chatty body, a closing line, and a casual sign off with your first name.
Can you use contractions in an informal email?
Yes. Contractions such as I'm, you're, and we'll are natural in an informal email and help it sound friendly. Just avoid text-message shortcuts like u and gr8.
How do you end an informal email?
End with a warm closing line and a casual sign off such as Take care, See you soon, or Love, followed by your first name.
What is the difference between a formal and an informal email?
A formal email is polite and professional, for teachers or organisations. An informal email is warm and relaxed, for friends and family. The greeting, the tone, and the sign off are the main differences.
KEY TAKEAWAYS An informal email is warm and friendly, for people you know well. It still needs a subject, a greeting, a body, and a sign off. Write the way you talk, and feel free to use contractions. Ask a question back so your friend has a reason to reply. Avoid text speak, especially in exams. |
A good informal email keeps a friendship warm across any distance. Once your child can switch between a friendly note and a formal one with ease, they have a skill that will serve them for life.
LEARN TO WRITE WITH WISDOM POINT Switching tone to match a reader is one of the most useful skills a young writer can build, and it is something we practise often at Wisdom Point. Our English and Creative Writing programmes guide students across the USA, UK, UAE, Singapore, Canada, Australia and beyond, with formats checked against CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE, IB and Common Core. To enrol or to find the right programme for your child, visit www.wisdom-point.org or call +91 82405 56421. Come and write with us. |
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