Grade 7 English FAMILY – WRITING:FRIENDLY LETTERS Notes
ENGLISH: WRITING — Friendly Letters (Topic: FAMILY)
Age: 12 (Kenya) — Focus: Grammar and correct sentence use in friendly letters ✉️😊
1. Structure of a Friendly Letter (Grammar points)
- Date / Heading — Write the date at the top. Use a correct date format: 6 April 2025 (day month year). This is not a full sentence (no period needed).
- Greeting / Salutation — Start with Dear + name. Put a comma after the name in American style or a comma/full stop in informal letters. Example: Dear Auntie Mary,
- Opening sentence — Use a friendly present or past tense to start. Example: I hope you are well. (Present). Or I had a great time last Sunday. (Past)
- Body paragraphs — Use complete sentences and connect ideas with linking words (because, so, also, however, then). Keep each main idea in its own paragraph.
- Closing sentence — End with a friendly remark: Give my love to everyone. Use present imperative or present simple.
- Farewell / Sign-off — Use friendly closings: Love, Your friend, Best wishes, then your name on the next line.
2. Important Grammar Points
- Pronouns: Use personal pronouns to show connection: I, you, we, my, your, our. Example: I miss you. (correct)
- Tense: Use simple present for routines and feelings: I miss you; I am happy. Use simple past for things that already happened: I visited Grandma last week.
- Contractions: Use contractions to sound friendly and natural: I'm, you're, we've, don't. These are fine in letters to family.
- Questions & Exclamations: Use question marks for questions: How are you? Use exclamation mark for excitement: I got a prize!
- Linking Words: Use words like because, so, and, but, then, also to join sentences and make the letter easy to follow.
- Punctuation & Capitalisation: Start sentences with capital letters, end with full stop, question mark, or exclamation mark. Capitalise names (e.g., Mum, Kariuki).
- Paragraphing: Each new idea or time (like "today" vs "last week") should be a new paragraph. This helps clarity.
3. Useful Sentence Starters (for FAMILY letters)
Intro: I hope you are well. / How is everyone at home?
To tell news: I am happy to tell you… / Guess what happened…
To ask: How is…? / Did you…? / Can you…?
To close: I miss you all. / Say hello to… / Write back soon.
4. Example Friendly Letter — annotated for grammar
6 April 2025
Dear Auntie Mary,
I hope you are well. (Present simple: shows current hope)
I am happy to tell you that I won a prize in the school poetry contest last week. (Present simple + past simple: present feeling, past event)
My teacher said I read very clearly, and my friends clapped for me. (Past simple; linking with "and")
Because of this, my class will perform next Friday. (Cause phrase "because of this")
Will you come to watch us? (Question — use question mark)
Please tell Grandma and Uncle Paul. (Imperative; friendly request)
I miss you all very much. (Present simple)
Please write back soon and tell me how everyone is. (Request + question phrase)
Love,
Amina
Notes: Commas and full stops are used correctly. The letter uses present for feelings, past for events, contractions are optional but make the tone friendly (e.g., "I'm happy").
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting sentences with lowercase letters — always capitalise: I, names, and start of sentence.
- Mixing tenses without reason — keep past events in past tense and feelings in present tense unless you switch clearly.
- Using very formal words — friendly letters use simple language and contractions: do not → don't.
- No greeting or no closing — always include both for a proper friendly letter.
- Writing one long paragraph — break into smaller paragraphs for each idea.
6. Quick Checklist Before You Send
- Is the date correct and written clearly?
- Is there a greeting (Dear + name)?
- Do sentences start with capitals and end with correct punctuation?
- Are tenses correct and consistent?
- Is the tone friendly and personal (use I, you, we)?
- Is there a closing and your name?
7. Short Practice (Try this)
Write a short friendly letter (5–8 sentences) to a family member describing one happy event this term. Use:
- one sentence in past tense (an event)
- one sentence in present tense (feeling)
- one question
- a closing with a friendly sign-off
Good luck — be warm, clear and grammatically correct! ✍️