INVITATIONS

An invitation is a request, a solicitation.

 Invitations are generally printed cards through which
we invite our guests for some auspicious occasions
like wedding, birthday, wedding anniversary, house
warming, the inauguration of a shop/factory, etc.
It can be in the form of an invitation card which is
generally considered as formal invitation or it may be
in the letter format.
♦ Invitations are of two types:
(a) Formal
(b) Informal.
FORMAL INVITATIONS
TWO TYPES OF FORMAL INVITATIONS

● Printed card format

● Formal letter format
PRINTED CARD FORMAT
The format includes-
1. Name of the host
2. Standard expression (E.g. request the pleasure of your company, solicit your gracious
presence)
3. Purpose of the invitation
4. Day, date and time of the event- Dates must be written in letters and you should not
use abbreviations.
5. Name of the place, location with complete address- the venue of the party or event
6. Name of the chief guest
7. RSVP (please respond )- Include an RSVP - this elegant abbreviation comes from the
French phrase "Répondez, s'il vous plait"; which in English means "Please respond".
An RSVP is essential at parties where you need to know exactly who will come, so
you can organize things accordingly on the basis of their convenience.
8. Contact details (Telephone or mobile number or address of the host)
9. Any other relevant details
LAYOUT
Name of the organization/host
Standard expression
Purpose of the invitation
Day, date and time of the event
Name of the place, location with complete address
Name of the chief guest
RSVP ( Please respond)
Telephone or mobile number or
address of the host
 POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED
● The invitations are written in the third person.
● In case a VIP is invited as the chief guest, the name of the VIP must
appear prominently.
● Name of the invitee is not to be included.
● Simple present tense is to be used.
● The date of writing must not to be mentioned.
● There must be no signatures.
● The abbreviation RSVP i.e. ‘Please reply’ is written below on the left
side with the address and phone number of the host(s).
● Write the invitation within a box.
● Do not exceed 50 words.
CONTD..
● A polite and courteous tone should be used.
● It is a single sentence presentation.
● Dates must be written in letters and you should not use
abbreviation. 
● It ought to explain why the party or event is being held, "to
celebrate..." or "to honour..."
● It should answer to the 4Ws:
○ WHAT- The occasion
○ WHEN- Date and time
○ WHERE- Venue
○ WHO- Name of the chief guest
SHORT QUIZ
1. The invitations are written in the ________ person.
2. The date of writing must not to be mentioned.(T/F)
3. Date of the event, function must be written in
___________.
4. There must be no signatures.(T/F)
5. It should answer to the 4Ws _____,______,
________&________.
6. RSVP means __________________.
 QUESTIONS
1. M/s Shyam Lal & Sons are opening a new general store
‘Galaxy Novelties’ in Geetanjali Enclave, Dwarika, Delhi. The
inauguration ceremony is fixed for Sunday, the 30th of
August,  20XX at 11 a.m. Prepare a draft of formal invitation
letter for the purpose.
2. Draft an invitation on behalf of Mr. & Mrs. Raj Karan of 38,
Kamal Kunj, Varanasi, which they may use to invite their
friends and relatives on the 5th birth anniversary of their son
Nikhil at their residence on 28th, August 20XX.
FORMAL LETTER FORMAT
Format
(letter format)
NAME OF THE INSTITUTION AND ADDRESS,
RECEIVER’S NAME AND ADDRESS,
DATE & SALUTATION,
SUBJECT,
CONTENT,
COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE,
SUBSCRIPTION and
WRITER’S NAME WITH DESIGNATION
Click to add text
 QUESTIONS
1. 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 all the old students of the school to attend
the meet.
2. You are Sachin Bansal, the Head Boy of Springdales Public
School, Gurgaon. Your school is holding an inter-school T-20
cricket championship from 2 Oct. to 8 Oct., 20XX. Write a
formal invitation to [Link] Dev, the legendary cricketer, to
inaugurate the championship on 2 Oct. 20XX at 10 a.m. at your
school grounds.
INFORMAL INVITATIONS
Format of an informal invitation
SENDER’S ADDRESS
DATE (In expanded) - the date on which the invitation is being written. It
is to be written in expanded form.
SALUTATION- greeting the person you are addressing the invitation to.
---------BODY-------
COMPLIMENTARY CLOSURE- Mention the name given in the question
paper. Do not mention your personal details.
Features of an informal invitation are as follows-
● They are written to friends, relatives and
acquaintances.
● They follow the pattern of ordinary personal
letters.
● They are written in first/second person.
● The style and tone is relaxed and informal.
● Different tenses are used as per the demand.
Questions
1. You are Amit/Anitha. You have cleared JEE Advance
and have been selected to study at IIT, Bombay. To
celebrate, you wish to invite all your friends to a party
at your residence. Write an informal invitation in not
more than 50 words.
2. You are Manoj. You are going on a picnic with a group
of your classmates to Yelagiri. Write an informal
invitation to your friend Mohit to join you on that day.
REPLIES TO INVITATIONS
♦Replies to Invitations are of
two types:
(a) Formal
(b) Informal
FORMAL REPLIES
● A formal reply is usually very short. It is brief and to
the point. The quality of a good reply is that it is
always pleasant.
● Even while declining the invitation or expressing
inability to attend, one must be polite and
courteous.
● Formal replies demand a formal tone and treatment.
There is no room for unnecessary details or
superfluous matter in them.
POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED

● Acknowledge the invitation.

● Express thanks in third person.
● Mention acceptance/regret.
● Specify the reason for refusal.
● Be brief and specific.
● Be formal in tone and treatment.
● Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50 words).
EXAMPLES
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.
Answer:
Mr. and Mrs. Vikram Gaur 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 15 October, 20XX
and assure them that they will be present on the occasion to
wish the newly weds a very happy married life. Mr. and Mrs.
Gaur will reach Kanpur by the Agra Mail which leaves Agra at
8.00 a.m.
Vikram Gaur
You are Akshya / Aakriti. You have been invited to participate in a seminar on
‘Fundamental Rights of Children’, organized by the Lions Club of your distinct.
Respond to the invitation by writing a letter to the Secretary of the club.
Answer:
25, Aram Bagh Road
Meerut
5 May, 20XX
The Secretary
Lions Club, Meerut
Sir
Sub: Acceptance of Invitation
Thanks for your invitation for a seminar on ‘Fundamental Rights of Children’, and
your concern for the under-privileged children. I would like to utilize this opportunity
to share my experiences with other like-minded enthusiasts and experts.
I hereby confirm my participation in the seminar.
Yours sincerely
Akshya I Aakriti
Sir
Sub: Inability to accept the invitation
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 invitation.
Yours sincerely
Akshay / Aakrit
QUESTIONS
1. Draft a reply accepting an invitation to be present on
the house warming function of your friend. You are
Devesh Sarin and your friend is Alok Gautam of 42,
Ashok Vihar, Delhi.
2. You are Rahul/Neha. You have been invited by the
Youth Club of your locality to act as one of the judges
for an inter-school group song competition organised
by the club. But unfortunately you cannot accept this
invitation due to a previous engagement. Write to the
secretary of the club regretting your inability to
accept the invitation.
INFORMAL REPLIES
An informal reply or private
letter may, however, express
personal feelings or desires
in an intimate style and
informal tone.
Informal Replies

● Acknowledge the invitation in first person.

● Use second person for the sender of invitation.
● Mention acceptance/regret.
● Specify the reason in case of refusal.
● Use warm and simple language.
● Do not exceed the word limit (usually 50
words).
EXAMPLES
You are Manoj /Mini. You have been invited to attend a birthday
party of your closest friend. Respond to this invitation.
Answer:
217 MIG Flats
Surya Vihar, New Delhi
15 March, 20XX
Dear Shuchi
I have received your invitation for your birthday party on
3rd,September, 20XX at 5 p.m. at Hotel Janpath. I am extremely
happy to know that all our old friends are likely to be there.
I would like to confirm my participation.
Looking forward to the momentous occasion.
Yours lovingly
Manoj/Mini
QUESTIONS
1. You are Monica Kapoor. Your friend Mridula has invited
you to her sister’s engagement ceremony to be held at
the Hallmark Resorts on 1 September, 20XX at 6 p.m.
Respond to the invitation.
2. You have received an invitation from your aunt at
Manali to spend some days during your summer
vacation with her. Respond to this invitation. You are
Madhav /Manisha, of 27, Patel Nagar, New Delhi.
QUIZ
IDENTIFY WHETHER FORMAL OR INFORMAL
1. Acknowledge the invitation in first person.
2. Express thanks in third person.
3. Use second person for the sender of invitation.
4. Mention acceptance/regret.
5. Be brief and specific.
6. Use warm and simple language.
7. Be formal in tone and treatment.
8. Specify the reason for refusal.
THANK YOU