CBSE English -XII: Short Composition

Invitations and Replies

Section B: Advanced Writing Skills

1
Contents Page
Module: 01 - About Invitations & Replies Module: 02 - Examples:

01. Title Page 01. Formal Invitations (Card Format)

02. Contents Page 02. Formal Invitations (Letter Format)
03. Introduction - Invitations 03. Informal Invitations (Printed/HW
04. Types of Invitations Format)
05. Main Characteristics - Formal Invite 04. Responding to Invitations - (Printed/HW
06. Main Characteristics - Informal Invite - Formal Replies)
07. Introduction - Replies to Invitations 05. Responding to Invitations - (Printed/HW
08. How to Reply an Invitation (Diagram) - Informal Replies)
09. Main characteristics - Formal Replies 06. Responding to Queries-
10. Main characteristics - InFormal Replies (Official/Business - Formal Replies )

2
About Invitations and Replies
Module: 01

3
Introduction - Invitations
An Invitation is a short composition. It is used for inviting people to functions,
celebrations, etc.

Categories:

● Formal Invitations - usually cards.

○ Formal letters,
○ Printed on cards or
○ Drafted as social letters
● Informal Invitations - short letters.
○ Ordinary personal letters
○ Written to relatives, friends & acquaintances.

4
Types of Invitations:
Types
Formal Informal

Printed Invitation Cards Short Informal Letters

Typed / Handwritten Letters -------

5
Main Characteristics - Formal Invitations:
1. Single sentence presentation in IIIrd Person.
2. Printed Invitation cards
3. Answers the WH questions. i.e.
a. the occasion, names(s) of the invitee & the host & date, time and venue.
4. The other details
a. name, designation & address of the organiser/sponsor/host
b. the Chief Guest/Special Invitee
5. Printed formal Invitations do not include the name of the addressee.
6. Invitations to VIP do carry the name of the VIP
7. Length - 50 words

6
Main Characteristics - Informal Invitations:
1. These letters are Ist/IInd person presentations.
2. Personal feelings find an expression
3. The writer’s address - in the usual place.
4. The Salutation - Dear + ‘Name’
5. The date is given, year is generally omitted
6. The style & tone - relaxed & informal
7. Different tenses are used.
8. The complimentary close - Yours sincerely.
9. Length - 50 words

7
Introduction - Replies to Invitations
The reply to an Invitation is a short composition. It is used for letting the invitee know
about the attendance so that they can make arrangements accordingly.

● A Formal Reply.
○ Very short, brief & to the point, Formal letters,
○ Quality - must be pleasant
○ Demands - formal tone & treatment
○ No unnecessary details/superfluous matter
● An Informal invite.
○ Also - private letter
○ Expresses - personal feelings/desires.
○ Style - intimate & tone - informal
○ While declining - be polite & courteous
8
How to Reply an invite

Replies to Invitations

Formal Informal

Accept Decline Accept Decline

(Acceptance) (Refusal) (Acceptance) (Refuse)

9
Main Characteristics - Formal Replies
Main characteristics of a formal reply::

● A formal reply is like a formal invite

● Not a card, a handwritten reply
● Written in IIIrd person
● Mention acceptance/regret
● Format - same as in the formal invite.
● No specific reasons for refusal. Only expressions like prior commitment /
engagement
● In an acceptance reply, use expressions like ‘ will be delighted to attend it’

10
Main Characteristics - Informal Replies
● Format - same as in the informal invite
● Written in the Ist person
● Mention acceptance/regret
● Specific reason for refusal can be given.
● Language - warm & simple

11
Examples
Module: 02

12
 Sample Examples:

01 ● Inauguration

Formal Invitations
● Birth Anniversary
● Marriage
● The Annual Function
Card Format ● Silver Jubilee Celebrations
● Medical Seminar
● Inviting a Guest

13
Formal invitation: Card Format (Printed)

Q. 01. M/s Shyam Lal and Sons are

opening a new general store ‘Galaxy
Novelties’ in Geetanjali Enclave,
Dwarika, Delhi. The inauguration
ceremony is fixed for Sunday, the 19th
of October 20XX at 11 a.m. Prepare a
draft of formal Invitation letter for the
purpose.

14
Formal Invitation: Card Format (Printed)

Q. 02. Draft an Invitation on behalf

of Mr and Mrs Raj Karan of 38,
Kamal Kunj, Varanasi, which they
may use to Invitation their friends
and relatives on the 5th birth
anniversary of their son Nikhil at
their residence on 28th December,
20XX.

15
Formal Invitation: Card Format (Printed)

Q. 03. Your sister Nivedita is going to marry

Akhilesh (S/o Mr & Mrs SM. Joshi,
Nainital) Your father Mr K.S. Bhardwaj has
planned to hold the wedding at Hotel
Kunal, New Delhi on 25 May 20XX at 8
p.m. Write a formal Invitation on behalf of
Mr & Mrs K.S. Bhardwaj inviting guests to
the auspicious occasion. Give other details.
Do not exceed 50 words.

16
Formal Invitation: Card Format (Printed)

Q. 04. You are a student of Newton Public

School, Nagpur. The school is holding its
annual function on Saturday, the 15th
November, 20XX at 11 a.m. The HRD
Minister Dr M.M. Joshi has consented to
be the chief guest. Design an Invitation
card to be sent to the parents and other
invitees. Do not exceed 50 words.

17
Formal Invitation: Card Format (Printed)

Q. 05. You are the Principal of Zodiac

Senior Secondary School, Ooty. The
school has completed 25 years of its
meritorious services to the society. The
Silver Jubilee Celebrations are to be
held on Sunday, the 26th October,
20XX. Mrs M. Kamath, the founder
Principal will preside. Draft a suitable
Invitation to be sent to important
dignitaries of the city and the parents
of students..

18
Formal Invitation: Card Format (Printed)

Q. 06. You are the Secretary of

Haryana Civil Medical Doctors’
Association, 2345 Sector 15, Panchkula.
You have organised a seminar on AIDS
for the members of the association and
invited a specialis guest speaker. Draft
an Invitation for publication in the
newspapers.

19
Formal Invitation: Card Format (Printed)

Q. 07. The Literary Club of

your school is putting up the
play ‘Waiting for Godot’. As
secretary of the club, draft an
invite, inviting the famous
writer Sudheesh Gupta to be
the guest of honour at the
function. Write the Invitation
in not more than 50 words.
Your are Govindi Gauri.

20
 02 Sample Examples:

Formal Invitations ●
●
Counselling Session
Alumni Meet
Letter Format ● Inauguration

21
Formal Invitation: Letter Format
(Printed/Handwritten)

Q. 01. You are the Director of Apex

Orientations, a leading name in
postal coaching for competitive
examinations including IIT-JEE and
CBSE-PMT. Write letters to the
Principals of some prestigious
schools inviting the names of two
brilliant students from each
institution to attend their
Counselling Session free of cost.

22
Formal Invitation: Letter Format
(Printed/Handwritten)

Q. 02. You are the Secretary of the

Old Students’ Association, Mayo
School, Ajmer. The 20th Alumni
Meet will be held on Sunday, the
28th Sept. 20XX at 8.00 p.m. at
Palace Hotel. Write Invitation letters
to ail the old students of the school
to attend the meet.

23
Formal Invitation: Letter Format
(Printed/Handwritten)

Q. 03. You are the Secretary of the

Old Students’ Association, Mayo
School, Ajmer. The 20th Alumni
Meet will be held on Sunday, the
28th Sept. 20XX at 8.00 p.m. at
Palace Hotel. Write Invitation letters
to ail the old students of the school
to attend the meet.

24
 03
Sample Examples:

Informal Invitations
● Admission Celebrations
● Wedding Ceremony
● House-warming Ceremony
Letter Format: ● Judging a Competition
Printed / Handwritten ● Inauguration Ceremony

25
Informal Invitation: Letter Format
(Printed/Handwritten )

Q. 01. Rohit has got success in

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. Do not exceed 50
words.

26
Informal Invitation: Letter Format
(Printed/Handwritten )

Q. 02. You are Leena Sen. The

wedding of your elder sister Reena
Sen is going to be held on the 15th
May, 20XX at Hotel Lake View,
Udaipur. Write out an informal
Invitation to your friend Vinnie
requesting her to attend the
function.

27
Informal Invitation: Letter Format
(Printed/Handwritten )

Q. 04. Write a letter to your friend

inviting him on the house-warming
ceremony of your newly constructed
house.

28
Informal Invitation: Letter Format
(Printed/Handwritten )

Q. 05. You are Navin/Neha, the

Secretary of the Youth Club of your
locality. You are organising an
inter-school group-song competition.
Invitation a prominent musician to
act as one of the judges.

29
Informal Invitation: Letter Format
(Printed/Handwritten )

Q. 09. You are Atul Gupta. You are

opening a new branch of your
business house NEWLIGHT
FURNISHINGS at C-32, Ansal
Plaza, Delhi. Write an Invitation to
your uncle to attend the
inauguration ceremony and bless
you.

30
 04 Sample Examples:

Responding to
● Attending a Wedding
● Attending a Birthday

Invitations
● Attending a Workshop
● Attending an Inauguration
● Attending a Seminar
Formal Replies: Printed/Handwritten ● Condoling a Death
● Presiding over a Function
● Playing an Exhibition Match

31
Formal Replies: Printed/Handwritten

Q. 01. 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 of Raja Ki Mandi, Agra.

32
Formal Replies: Printed/Handwritten

Q. 02. 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.

33
Formal Replies: Printed/Handwritten

Q. 03. You are Dr Avinash Bhalla.

You have received an Invitation from
the Director, Health Services,
Haryana who has invited leading
medical practitioners of the state to
attend a workshop on ‘child care’ on
20 May, 20XX at 10 a.m. in Civil
Hospital Ambala. Respond to the
invite.

34
Formal Replies: Printed/Handwritten

Q. 04. Draft a formal reply

expressing your inability to attend
the inauguration of the showroom
‘Regalia’ on Sunday, the 20th July
20XX, at 11 a.m. at B-12, Rohini. You
are Navin Jain of C-5, G.K.J, New
Delhi and your friend is G.L. Bansal
of 23, Sunder Nagar, New Delhi.

35
Formal Replies: Printed/Handwritten
Two Examples: Q. 05. You are Akshya / Aakriti. You have been
invited to participate in a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of
Children’, organised by the Lions Club of your distinct. Respond
to the Invitation by writing a letter to the Secretary of the club.

Sir

Sub: Inability to accept the invite

Thank you very much for inviting me to participate in a seminar on

‘Fundamental Rights of Children’. I feel honoured and obliged.
However, I shall not be able to accept your Invitation due to some
previous commitments which keep me confined to my place on that
day.

Thanking you once again for your kind invite.

Yours sincerely
Akshay / Aakrit 36
Formal Replies: Printed/Handwritten

Q. 06. Mr Arun Verma’s father died

on 25 October, 20XX. His friends
and relatives wrote to him condoling
the death of his father. Draft a
formal reply on behalf of Mr Verma,
his address being 75, Ring Road,
Alwar (Rajasthan).

37
Formal Replies: Printed/Handwritten

Q. 07. You are Prof. N. Dutta, a.

famous historian from Kurukshetra
University. You have the honour of
being invited as the chief guest at a
public function. However, due to
sudden illness you are unable to
attend the same. Draft a suitable
reply in about 50 words.

38
Formal Replies: Printed/Handwritten

Q. 09. You are Abhay Minocha, the

captain of your school cricket team.
You have received an Invitation from
the St. Thomas Public School,
Lucknow to play a friendly
exhibition match at their
playground. Respond to this invite.

39
 05
Responding to
Sample Examples:

● Attending a Birthday Party

Invitations ●
●
Attending a Talk as a Speaker
Attending a Talk as a Speaker
Informal Replies: ● Attending an Engagement
Printed/Handwritten Ceremony

40
Informal Replies: Printed/Handwritten
Q. 02. You are Manoj /Mini. You have been invited to attend a
birthday party of your closest friend. Respond to this invite.

Dear Shuchi

I acknowledge with thanks your kind Invitation to your birthday

party on the 25th March. I regret to inform you that I will not be
able to join you in the celebrations due to some very urgent and
unavoidable prior engagements that may keep me tied down here on
that day.

Please accept my heartiest felicitations and [Link] accept a

small gift that I am sending through courier.

Wishing you a very happy birthday.

Yours sincerely
Manoj /Mini 41
Informal Replies: Printed/Handwritten

Q. 05. You are Shiv Khera, a noted

educationist. You have been invited
by the Value Education Club of
Vivekanand Sr. Sec. School, Roop
Nagar, New Delhi to deliver a talk on
‘The Importance of Devotion,
Dedication and Discipline’ on a date
and time convenient to you. Respond
to the invite.

42
Informal Replies: Printed/Handwritten

Q. 06. You are Monica Kapoor. Your

friend Mridula has invited you to her
engagement ceremony to be held at
the Hallmark Resorts on 1 April
20XX at 6 p.m. Respond to the invite.

43
Informal Replies: Printed/Handwritten

Q. 07. You are Prem Shankar Jha,

eminent economist. You have
received an Invitation from the
Lion’s Club to speak on the salient
features of the latest budget. Regret
your inability due to previous
commitments.

44
 Sample Examples:
06 ● Accepting an Offer
Responding to Queries ●
●
Cancellation of Orders
Seeking the Franchise
Formal Replies: Official/Business ● Observance of Safety Week
● Replying an Enquiry

45
Formal Replies: Official/Business

Q. 01. Blue Star Electronics Ltd.,

Ludhiana made an offer to Bhatia
Electronics, Rohtak for the agency of
their new model ‘Goldie’ water
coolers. Write a formal letter on
behalf of Bhatia Electronics
accepting the offer of the agency.

46
Formal Replies: Official / Business

Q. 02. Draft a formal reply to M/s

Sumit Brothers explaining why all
the orders have been cancelled.

47
Formal Replies: Official / Business

Q. 03. Draft a formal reply to an

Education Society seeking the
franchise of ABN Public School.
Delhi.

48
Formal Replies: Official / Business

Q. 04. You are the Principal of St

George Public School, Chennai. You
had requested the Commissioner of
Police (Traffic) Chennai to hold an
exhibition of observance of ‘Safety
Week’ at your school. Draft a reply
from the Commissioner of Police
showing his willingness to provide
men and material for observance of
the safety week.

49
Formal Replies: Official / Business

Q. 05. You are Anil Vats, a student of

XII C, Bal Bharati School, Pusa
Road, New Delhi. You had made
certain enquiries to become a
member of Delhi Public Library. As
librarian draft a formal reply in
response to your queries.

50
CBSE English -XII: Short Composition

Invitations and Replies

Thanks you very much.

51