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Creative Writing · Guide 6 of 10

Letter to a friend or family member

An informal letter sounds like you talking to someone you know well. Share news, ask about them and show you care, all in clear paragraphs with the right layout.

  • Ages 9 to 11
  • 11+ writing: Informal letter
  • Model answer
  • Printable plan

What is it?

In this task you write a letter to someone you know: a friend who has moved away, a grandparent, a cousin or a pen pal. You might tell them news, describe a holiday, thank them for a present or invite them somewhere.

It's called an informal letter because the tone is warm and relaxed. But it still has a layout to follow and still needs paragraphs, accurate spelling and full sentences.

How the task might be worded

  • “Write a letter to a friend who has moved to another town, telling them your news.”
  • “Write a letter to a relative thanking them for a present and describing how you've used it.”

What examiners look for

  • Correct layout

    Your address and the date at the top right, “Dear …,” on the left, and a friendly sign-off such as “Love from” or “See you soon,” then your name.

  • A warm, personal tone

    Write to the person: ask how they are, mention shared memories and use their name. Contractions (I'm, can't) are fine.

  • A clear purpose

    Whether it's news, thanks or an invitation, the reader should know why you're writing.

  • Paragraphs by topic

    One paragraph for each piece of news, with a friendly opening and closing paragraph.

  • Accurate writing

    Informal doesn't mean careless. Full sentences, correct punctuation and no text speak.

Plan template

Spend about 5 minutes planning. Notes and single words are fine: nobody marks the plan. Print this page to plan on paper.

  1. Who and why?

    • • Who am I writing to?
    • • What's the main reason for the letter?

  2. Opening paragraph

    • • Greet them and ask how they are.
    • • Mention something about them (their new home, their news).

  3. Paragraph 2: main news

    • • What's the biggest thing to tell?
    • • Add detail and how you felt.

  4. Paragraph 3: more news

    • • Something funny, a shared friend, a question for them.

  5. Closing

    • • Look forward to something.
    • • Ask them to write back.
    • • Sign-off and name.

Model answer

The task: Write a letter to a friend who moved to Scotland last term, telling them your news.

14 Mill Road, Ashford, Kent 2nd May

Dear Freddie,

How are you? I hope your new school is going well and that you've found someone who's as bad at football as I am! Mum says Edinburgh has a castle right in the middle of the city. Have you been inside it yet?

You'll never guess what happened last week. Our class was chosen to plant the new school garden, and Mrs Hart put me in charge of the vegetable patch. I've planted carrots, peas and some sunflowers (which aren't vegetables, but I don't think anyone minds). Every morning I check them before the bell. The peas are already curling round their sticks like little green fingers.

In other news, Biscuit has learned to open the back door by jumping at the handle. Yesterday he let himself out, ate half of next door's barbecue sausages and came home looking extremely pleased with himself. Mrs Patel was very kind about it, but Dad had to buy her a whole new packet.

Everyone at school misses you, especially at lunchtime when there's no one to swap crisps with. Are you still coming down in the summer holidays? If you are, you have to come and see the sunflowers. I'm hoping they'll be taller than me by then.

Write back soon and tell me everything!

Your friend, Ollie

Checklist

Use it in the last five minutes, or to check a practice piece.

  • My address and the date are at the top right.
  • I started with “Dear …,” and ended with a friendly sign-off and my name.
  • My first paragraph greets the reader and asks about them.
  • Each paragraph is about one piece of news.
  • I included questions for the reader and a shared memory.
  • My last paragraph looks forward and asks them to write back.
  • My tone is friendly, but my spelling and punctuation are correct.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting the layout

    Missing the address, date or sign-off loses easy marks. Learn the layout by heart.

  • All about me

    A letter that never mentions the reader feels like a diary. Ask questions and mention them.

  • Text speak

    “C u soon lol” isn't acceptable. Write in full words and sentences.

  • One giant paragraph

    Start a new paragraph for each new piece of news.

  • “Yours sincerely” to Grandma

    That's for formal letters. Use “Love from”, “Best wishes” or “Your friend”.

Top tips

  • Picture the person reading it and write as if you're chatting to them.
  • Use their name once or twice in the letter, not just at the start.
  • Add small, specific details: a pet's name, a shared joke, a place you both know.
  • A P.S. at the end can be a fun final touch, but keep it short.

Practice prompts

Practise this with a free account

4 practice questions on this topic, from easy to 11+ level. Reading the guide is free for everyone; practice is for members, and signing up is free.

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