English Writing Practice: Informal Emails and Describing a Person

Informal Email Structure in English

E-MAIL

Beginning

Greeting: Hi ...!, Dear ...,

Openings

• It was great to hear from you / to get your letter!
• How are things?
• Sorry I haven't written for so long.
• Thank you so much for...
• I was happy / sad to hear that...
• Congratulations on...

Closings

• Can't wait to hear from you!
• Write soon!
• That's all for now.
• Give my regards to...
• Looking forward to seeing you.

Sign-offs

• See you
• Love
• Yours
• Best wishes
• Regards

Style

Date, opening, reason for writing (why you write), happiness at receiving their letter, body (information and details), closing, and signature.

Describing a Person

DESCRIPTION OF A PERSON

Structure

1. Introduction: basic information, the person's name and your relationship with them.
2. Body: physical details, personality, talents, interests and activities.
3. Conclusion: final thoughts and general opinion.

Useful Structures

He/She is very / quite (fairly, positive) / rather (fairly, negative)... He/She can be... He/She has got...

Physical Appearance

• tall (alto)
• short (bajo)
• good-looking (guapo)
• attractive (atractivo)
• stunning (impresionante)
• beautiful (bello)
• overweight (con sobrepeso)
• underweight (por debajo del peso)
• thin (delgado)
• pale (pálido)
• long (largo)
• short (corto)
• straight (liso)
• curly (rizado)
• dark (oscuro)
• light (claro)

Personality

• quiet (tranquilo)
• outgoing (sociable)
• extrovert, introvert
• shy (tímido)
• kind (amable)
• wicked (malvado)
• has (a / no) sense of humour
• funny, pleasant (agradable), boring (aburrido), interesting (interesante)
• intriguing (intrigante), fascinating (fascinante)
• patient, impatient

Feelings

• love, hate, admire, adore, despise (despreciar)
• be fond of (ser aficionado a)
• intrigue, interest, bore (aburrir)

Model Email

Dear Sergio,

It was great to get your letter. Although I love you and miss you, I hope you forgive me for not writing for so long, because I've been very busy.

I started classes two weeks ago. I'm very involved with my studies and have no time to write. I'll help you understand why by telling you about my timetable!

First of all, I'm studying many subjects of letters at school, but when I get home I have even more work to do. I also have projects and exams every week.

Secondly, as you know, I have French lessons three hours a week. And of course, at weekends I'm with friends: at parties, in the street...

My love, I hope you are well and that your timetable is more relaxed than mine.

Come again, I miss you so much.

Love,
Noemi

Model Description

I would like to write about my best friend, Laia Aguilera. We do almost everything together, except for some hobbies that we don't share. Laia is the best person in my life.

First of all, Laia is good company for me and she's very easy to get along with. She's quiet and funny, and hardly ever shy. She's pleasant, extrovert and patient. She has got a great sense of humour, so we suit each other. Laia is also very good at history.

Laia is a tall person and very good-looking! She has got brown eyes and brown hair. Her hair is straight, although sometimes she wears it curly, and so she is very beautiful.

Laia likes boxing, dancing, listening to music, going out with her friends and being with me.

To sum up, Laia is a fantastic person and is rather boring. We have a lot in common, and she's my best friend. I love Laia so much!