How to Write an Informal Email for FCE Writing

As we have already mentioned several times, the Writing B2 First (FCE) paper consists of 2 parts. In the first one, you have to write an essay. In the second part, you must choose between different types of writings, among which you migh want to choose to write an email. For this reason, in this post I am going to teach you how to write an informal email for FCE Writing  part 2. Also, we will see a good example of an informal email for FCE and you can check out a full FCE Writing Guide where you can find more examples of emails, letters and other types of writings.

The Ultimate B2 First Writing Guide: 15 B2 Writing Sample Tasks and 300+ Useful Expressions (Guías de Writing para Exámenes de Cambridge)

The Ultimate B2 First Writing guide es una guía escrita por Luis Porras Wadley, fundador de KSE Academy®. Este libro contiene 15 ejemplos de Writing del FCE y más de 300 expresiones útiles listas para utilizar, aparte de una descripción detallada de cada parte del examen de Writing e innumerables consejos sobre cómo afrontar la parte escrita del examen de nivel B2 de Cambridge Assessment English.

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How to Write an Informal Email for FCE Writing

An email is an example of an interactive writing, which means that we are writing to someone rather than just for someone to read. For this reason, emails and letters are a very particular type of writing for FCE in comparison with essays, articles, reviews or reports. So let’s take a look at the main characteristics of emails:

• Purpose of an informal email: The purpose of an informal email will depend on each task. Some tasks ask you to provide your friend with some important information, while others might ask you to ask for some advice. It is common for a friend or relative to ask you something about the place where you live, while saying that they will be visiting soon.
• Language: Given that we are writing to a friend or close relative, our language will be relaxed and friendly. We could call it informal language if you want. So we will be making use of contracted forms, common phrasal verbs, colloquial expressions and even flexible punctuation (E.g.: using em dashes «–»)
• Structure: One of the cool things about emails is that they always follow the same structure. In general terms, we always need an opening and a closing formula; an introductory and closing paragragh; and the body, which will consist of as many paragraphs as ideas you are asked to discuss.
• Common topics: Many informal emails to friends and relatives deal with giving advice on a certain subject, such as visiting your hometown, keeping fit, advice on which cities to visit in your country, organising a party for a mutual friend, etc. Sometimes, these topics may appear in combination.
• Number of words: like all FCE Writing tasks, informal emails should be written in 140 – 190 words.

FCE Writing Informal Email Example

Now that we are familiar with the characteristics of an informal email for First (FCE) Writing, let’s take a look at an example of an informal email at B2 level, both at the task and at a sample answer.

Instructions of an informal email

It is extremely important to pay careful attention to these instructions, because it is here where we have to find out what to talk about in our email. For example, in this case we have the following:

• The addressee: an English friend of yours
• The context: is visiting your city next summer
• The main ideas/paragraphs: tell him about the places he should visit /  and the clothes / invite him to stay with you

And that’s how you know what you have to write about.

The Ultimate B2 First Writing Guide: 15 B2 Writing Sample Tasks and 300+ Useful Expressions (Guías de Writing para Exámenes de Cambridge)

The Ultimate B2 First Writing guide es una guía escrita por Luis Porras Wadley, fundador de KSE Academy®. Este libro contiene 15 ejemplos de Writing del FCE y más de 300 expresiones útiles listas para utilizar, aparte de una descripción detallada de cada parte del examen de Writing e innumerables consejos sobre cómo afrontar la parte escrita del examen de nivel B2 de Cambridge Assessment English.

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Sample answer

Now that we have a sample task, let’s take a look at a sample FCE answer to the task above. Pay attention not only to the language, but also to the clear structure marked in red.

If we take a quick look at the email above, we can see the following features:

• The email layout is extremely clear. This is easily achieved by using opening and closing formulas and paragraphs, a signature, and allowing some space between all the semi-independent paragraphs.
• Each paragraph has a clear purpose, which in this case is marked in red.
  • The opening and closing formulas are used to say «hi» and «goodbye» in a polite way.
  • The introductory paragraph is typically used to react to news (It’s great to hear from you… / I’m so excited about...) and to introduce the topic of our email.
  • The main body deals with each of the sub tasks, which in this case are: what to visit, what to wear and invite him.
  • In the closing paragraph we start saying goodbye and we can ask for a reply to our email.
• The language is informal:
  • Contractions: It’s great, I’m, you’ll have, etc.
  • Common phrasal verbs: put you up, check out.
  • Colloquial language: How are you doing?, you should totally, you can’t miss, drop me a line, etc.
  • Writing as we think: Oh, By the way, Anyway, 
  • Flexible punctuation: …viewpoint – you’ll have the best…

This is a good example of an informal email for FCE Writing. By the way, you must bear in mind that it has been written to simulate a strong B2 level, without necessarily reaching C1.

Useful Expressions for an Informal Email for FCE Writing

So if you want to learn how to write an informal email for FCE, you need to have a set of expressions ready to use. Some of these useful expressions are the following:

• Greetings:
  • Dear Sarah,
  • Hello Sara,
  • Hi Sara,
• Introductory paragraph:
  • How’s it going?
  • How are you doing? 
  • How are things?
  • How are things going?
  • It’s great to hear from you!
  • Long time, no see!
  • Sorry I haven’t written for ages, but
  • I’m really sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. 
• Reacting to good news:
  • I’m glad to hear that
  • I’m so happy that
  • Great news about your
  • I’m very happy to hear about
  • It’s so great that 
• Reacting to bad news:
  • I’m so sorry to hear about
  • Sorry to read about
  • I can’t tell you how sad I am that
  • I’m extremely sorry to hear about
  • It’s just awful to hear that
• Introducing paragraphs:
  • Oh, by the way, 
  • Hey, did you hear about…?
  • One more thing, 
  • As for
  • By the way, tell me about
• Ending the email or letter:
  • Well, I gotta go now. 
  • Anyway, I should get going. 
  • I’ve got to leave you now. 
  • I’d better get going. 
  • Well, it’s time to go
  • Make sure you write soon
  • Don’t forget to drop me a line soon. 
  • Look after yourself.
  • Take care of yourself.
• Closing the email or letter:
  • All my love, 
  • Love,
  • Lots of love,
  • All the best,
  • Take care,
  • Best wishes, 
  • Best, 
  • Regards,
  • Kind regards,  

The Ultimate B2 First Writing Guide: 15 B2 Writing Sample Tasks and 300+ Useful Expressions (Guías de Writing para Exámenes de Cambridge)

The Ultimate B2 First Writing guide es una guía escrita por Luis Porras Wadley, fundador de KSE Academy®. Este libro contiene 15 ejemplos de Writing del FCE y más de 300 expresiones útiles listas para utilizar, aparte de una descripción detallada de cada parte del examen de Writing e innumerables consejos sobre cómo afrontar la parte escrita del examen de nivel B2 de Cambridge Assessment English.

16,64 EUR

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Common question: What happens if I write more than 190 or less than 140 words?

As I’ve explained in the past, Cambridge English examiners don’t waste time counting the words of you informal email to penalise you based on that fact. But think about this: if you’ve written many more than necessary, you are probably including irrelevant information, right? Now that’s a reason for losing points. In the same way, if you write under 140 words you are probably missing essential information.Therefore, I always recommend writing up to 10 or 20 words over the limit. In this way, you won’t lose any points for including irrelevant information.

FCE Writing Guide with examples (pdf)

Although there are more posts coming up about how to write other types of FCE Writing, if you don’t want to wait any more, simply get the official KSE Academy FCE Writing Guide. In this guide you will learn:

• How to write an essay and 3 examples.
• How to write an article and 3 examples.
• How to write a review and 3 examples.
• How to write a report and 3 examples.
• How to write an email or letter and 3 examples.
• Over 300 useful expressions for every FCE Writing.

Would you like to see a sample of this guide? Here it is!

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