II.

INVITATIONS & REPLIES (4 Marks)

Types of Invitations
1. Formal
a. Printed Card type
b. Handwritten types (Letter type)
2. Informal

Formal Invitations

Things to remember:
● Adhere to the prescribed word limit. (50 words)
● The invitation needs to answer questions like who, whom, when, where, what time and for what
etc.
a. The occasion
b. Name of the invitee
c. Name of the host
d. Date, time & venue
● Formal invitations are generally printed invitation cards. We use them to invite guests on
auspicious occasions like birthdays, weddings, inauguration of shops, houses etc.
● The other details include the name, designation and address of the organiser, sponsor or host or
the name of the chief guest, in case of an official invitation.
● Printed formal invitations don’t include the name of the addressee. However, invitations to VIPs
to preside over an event do carry the name of the addressee prominently,
● Generally single-sentence presentation in the third person.
● Put the invitations in a box.

Format
a. Card type

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 Principal, Staff and Students
of
ABC Public School, City
requests the pleasure of your company on the inauguration of its Senior
Secondary Wing (Event’s name)
on
Date, Time, Venue
Chief Guest
Program Schedule

Instructions

RSVP

b. Letter type

Sender’s Address
Date
Receiver’s Address

Dear XYZ
…………………………………………………Body…………………….……
………….

Date:
Time:
Venue:

Yours Truly
ABC

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Reply

● Acknowledge the invitation.

● Express thanks in the third person.
● Mention acceptance or regret (specify the reason for denial).
● Be specific and brief.
● Tone needs to be formal.

Informal Invitations

Things to remember:

● Adhere to the prescribed word limit. (50 words)

● Generally take the shape and form of a personal letter as these invitations are written to friends,
relatives and dear ones with whom we have intimate, personal and friendly relations.
● The tone is somewhat relaxed, informal and friendly.
● These letters are first/second-person presentations.
● Complimentary close, salutation and different tenses are used as per the situation.
● Put the invitations in a box.
Format

Sender’s Address
Date

Dear XYZ
…………………………………………………Body…………………….……………
….

Date:
Time:
Venue:

Yours Sincerely
ABC

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Reply

● Acknowledge the invitation in the first person.

● Use a second person for the sender of the invitation.
● Mention acceptance or regret (specify the reason for denial).
● Be specific and brief
● Tone needs to be formal.

Solved Examples:

Govt. Model Sr. Sec School

Sector-19 → Institution Name and Address
Chandigarh

22 September 20XX → Date

Subject: Invitation to preside over the Inter Zonal Declamation → Subject

Competition

Dear Sir/ma'am → Salutation

The English Literary and Cultural Society of our school is organising an English
Declamation Competition on the topic 'Communication Skills are Very Important in the
Modern World' on 21 January 2021 at 9:30 a.m. in the school auditorium. Kindly consent to
preside over the above-said programme. → Content

Yours Truly →Contact Details

Dr. Suchitra Mukherjee

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Q. Your school, Bal Vidya Mandir, is planning to organize the Annual Sports
Day on the school premises. Draft a formal invitation in not more than 50
words for the event giving all the essential details.

The Principal, Staff and Students of

Bal Vidya Mandir
request the pleasure of your company on the
occasion of
ANNUAL SPORTS DAY
At 5.00 p.m., Monday, 4th Nov. 20xx
at
The School Ground
Mr. Vivek Sinha, Former National Level Athlete and Director of Athlete
Academy', will be the chief guest & will give away the prizes to the students.

RSVP
Principal
Bal Vidya Mandir
Ph.: 2354679XXX

Instructions:
You are requested to bring this card along and be seated by 4.30 p.m.

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Reply: Solved Example
Acceptance

13-A
Janta Block → Sender's Address
Jaipur

12 April 20XX → Date

Dear Friend's Name → Salutation

I am really happy to invite you to the special celebration of my brother

passing his ICSE Grade 12 with 90% marks. We are thrilled to hold the
event to celebrate his success.
I want your lovely presence at the event on 20 April 20XX at 5:00 p.m. at my
residence. → Content

Yours Truly → Contact Details

Your Name

Salutation

Kanishka Kumar (→ sender) thanks (→ expressing gratitude) the captain of

the football team of DAV Public School, (→host) Pune for inviting him to play a
friendly exhibition match at their stadium on 20 April 20XX.
He cordially accepts (→ accepting invitation) this invitation and hopes to reach
Pune from Gwallior with his team on 19 April 20XX by evening.

Yours Truly → Contact Details

Your Name

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 Refusal / Denial

Salutation (→host)

Many thanks (→ expressing gratitude) for inviting me to preside over the

Inter-Zonal Declamation competition to be held on 28 January 2025 At 9:30 p.m. I
am sorry to say unfortunately, I shall not be able to attend (→ declining
invitation) the same due to a prior appointment with my Doctor. (→ reason for
denial)

With Warm Regards

Yours Sincerely
Shailesh (→ Sender of the Reply)

Practice questions
1. Your friend, PV. Sathish has invited you to attend the wedding of his sister, Jaya. You find
that you have an important paper for the pre-board examination on the wedding day. Thus,
you cannot attend the event. Write in about 50 words a formal reply to the invitation
expressing your regret. You are Puneet/Puneeta Vij, M-114, Fort Road, Chennai.
2. You are Mr. Ajay Gupta of 7 Park Avenue, Delhi. Draft a reply accepting an invitation to
attend a housewarming party hosted by your colleague.
3. You are Navita/Navtej. 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.
4. You are Aditya/Aditi. You have been invited to attend the wedding of your friend’s brother
during Diwali. Respond to the invitation, regretting your inability to attend it in not more
than 50 words.
5. As Secretary of the Literary Club of St. Anne’s School, Ahmedabad, draft a formal
invitation in not more than 50 words for the inauguration of the club in your school.
6. Dhruv Dutt, an ex-student of P.C. Gopal Public School has won a gold medal in an
International Archery Competition. The school wants to honour him. Write a formal letter of
invitation inviting Dhruv Dutt to the school. You are Raghav/Ragini Amal, President

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