Sometimes we write to inform — to tell people things. Three useful kinds are a friendly letter, a recount of what happened, and a set of instructions.
Why this matters: Clear writing helps people. A good letter shares news, a recount tells a true story in order, and clear instructions help someone do a job without getting stuck.
The layout of a friendly letter
| Part | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Your address | Top right corner |
| The date | Under your address |
| Greeting (Dear …) | On the left |
| Your message | The middle |
| Sign off (From / Love) | The bottom |
Dear Grandma,
Thank you so much for the lovely Eid present. I wore my new scarf to the mosque and everyone said it was beautiful.
Love from,
Nadia
Thank you so much for the lovely Eid present. I wore my new scarf to the mosque and everyone said it was beautiful.
Love from,
Nadia
Writing a recount
A recount tells about something that really happened. Write it in time order using words like first, next, later and at the end. Use the past tense (words like went, saw, played).
Writing clear instructions
Instructions tell someone how to do something, in order. They use numbered steps and start with a bossy verb (an imperative) that tells the reader exactly what to do.
Put these instructions for a jam sandwich in order:
- Take two slices of bread
- Spread butter on each slice
- Add a spoon of jam
- Press the slices together