Writing Skills - Invitation

Many teachers often ask me for help with the topic of 'Invitation' in CBSE's writing skills section. I condense CBSE's questions in this section thus:

What that means is:

1. There are 2 types of invitation: formal & informal.

2. Formal invitations can be in the form of cards or letters.

3. Cards are used when you have to invite large numbers of people (anniversaries, marriages, etc.)

4. Letters are used when you invite a few individuals. Example: judges for a competition, chief guest for a function.

5. Informal invitations are used when your function is informal. Example: birthday celebrations, party for celebrating admission to a prestigious institution.

6. Strictly formal replies are used only by people who have (or should have) enormous egos. Example: bureaucrats, ambassadors.

7. Formal replies are just ordinary formal letters and informal replies are plain informal letters.

Let me give examples for the above types so that they become clearer.

1. Formal - Card

Newton Public School, Nagpur is celebrating its 30^th Annual Day. On behalf of the principal, draft an invitation card to be sent to parents and well-wishers.

It's easy to remember the format of a card invitation if you understand it in a sequence like: Who's inviting, which institution, the occasion, when, where, chief guest.

Let us take an example from one of CBSE's question papers.

You are Dhruv/Deepa. Your father, Sri Dheeraj Garg of Gurugram wants you to draft an invitation to be sent to friends and relatives on the occasion of your elder sister’s marriage. Prepare the invitation giving necessary details in not more than 50 words. [2019]

Let’s practise:

Ms Lakshmi Sharma, one of the teachers of Sun Public School, Pune has received the national award for teachers. The school is organising a formal function to congratulate her and appreciate her contributions. Draft a formal invitation to be sent to parents and well-wishers on behalf of the principal.

2. Formal - Letter

You are the Director of Apex Orientations, a leading name in coaching for competitive examinations including IIT-JEE and CBSE-PMT. Write letters to the principals of some prestigious schools inviting 2 brilliant students from each institution to attend their Counselling Session free of cost.

3. Informal Invitation

This is nothing but a usual informal letter.

Example

Rohit has cleared the CBSE-PMT. He wants to celebrate his admission to Shivaji Medical College, Nagpur by throwing a party to his friends. Write an informal invitation giving details of venue, time and date.

REPLIES

1. Strictly Formal

Draft a formal reply accepting an invitation to be present on the occasion of the wedding of Ankush S/o Mr & Mrs Shankar of 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur. You are Vikram Gaur MLA.

Answer:

Mr Vikram Gaur MLA & Family thank Mr and Mrs Shankar for inviting them on the occasion of the wedding of their son Ankush at 24, Green Park Road, Kanpur on 17 Aug. They will be present at the venue at 8.00 p.m.
Vikram Gaur
31 July 2022

Example 2:

Write a formal reply expressing your inability to attend the birthday celebrations of your friend Suresh Pradhan of 1235, Vivekananda Marg, Belur. You are Somesh Basu.

Answer:

Mr & Mrs Somesh Basu wish to thank Mr & Mrs Suresh Pradhan for extending an invitation to the birthday celebrations of their son Akshay at their residence 123, Vivekananda Marg, Belur on 20 Aug 2022 and wish the young boy many happy returns of the day but regret their inability to be present personally on account of some previous engagements.
Somesh Basu
31 Jul 2022

2. Formal Replies

You are Arjun /Aparna. Your school has been invited to participate in an inter-school On-the-spot painting competition organised by the Lions Club of your district. As General Secretary of the Painting Club of your school, respond to the invitation.

Answer:

General Secretary

Painting Club

D.N. Public School
Karnal

07 Aug 2022

The President
Lions Club
Karnal

Subject: Confirmation of participation

Sir
This refers to your invitation to our school to participate in the inter-school on-the- spot painting competition. We thank you for inviting us and gladly confirm our participation in this interesting competition.

Yours sincerely
Arjun
General Secretary

3. INFORMAL REPLIES

You are Aakash/Varsha. You have been invited to attend the wedding of your friend’s sister during summer vacation. Respond to the invitation, regretting your inability to attend it.

Answer:

205, Vasant Kunj
New Delhi

07 Aug 2022

Dear Neha,

Thank you for your cordial invitation on the occasion of your sister’s wedding. I, however, regret my inability to be with you on this happy occasion as we will be leaving for Shimla for a family function on 16 Aug. Please excuse my absence. Do convey my regards and best wishes to the couple.

Yours sincerely
Varsha

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