XII Writing Skills
Topic : Invitation and Replies
What is Invitation?
To invite someone for an occasion, we use the written form invitation.
Invitations are generally printed cards through which we invite our guests on
some auspicious occasions like wedding, birthday, wedding anniversary,
house warming, the inauguration of a shop/factory etc.
Invitations are of two types:
(a) Formal and
(b) Informal.
These can be printed on cards or can be drafted in the form of letters.
Main Characteristics:
An invitation is a complete information. It answers the questions: who, whom,
when, where, what time and for what. The important components of an
invitation, therefore, are:
Occasion
Name(s) of the invitee(s)
Name(s) of the host(s)
Date, time and venue.
Name(s) of the chief guest or special invitees, in case of an official
invitation.
I] Format of Formal Invitations
In case of formal invitations, each of the following is written in a separate line
with fonts of varying sizes.
Names of the hosts
Name of the invitee (in case of a formal letter of invitation)
Formal phrase of invitation, for example:
Request the pleasure your benign presence/company Seek your
auspicious presence
Solicit your gracious presence on the auspicious occasion
Date, time and venue of the event
Occasion/ reason of the invitation.
Characteristics of Formal Invitations:
1. Meant for a lot of invitees:
These 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. The addressee’s address is to
be written only on the envelope.
Simple present tense is to be used.
The date of writing is not to be given.
There is no signature of the host.
The abbreviation RSVP (French: repondez sil vous plait) i.e. ‘Please reply’
is written below on the left side with name(s), address and phone
number of the host(s).
Put the invitation into a box.
Do not exceed 50 words.
2. Meant for an individual (a formal letter of invitation)
I] Format of Formal individual invitation
Include the name of the invitee.
These are to be written on run-on lines. The sentence is not broken into
different words/phrases.
Other details are similar to the mass-scale invitations.
Invitation Letter for Event – Formal Invitation Letter for
Graduation Ceremony
The Vice Principal
Karpagam College of Arts and Science
Sundarapuram
Coimbatore – 641054
07 Jan 20XX
Dr. Shankar Devan
21/56, E C Layout
East Tambaram
Chennai – 600089
Subject: Formal Invitation to be the Chief Guest for the Graduation Ceremony
Dear Sir
We are pleased to invite you to be the Chief Guest for the Graduation
Ceremony that is to be held on the 24th of January, 2022 at Karpagam College
of Arts and Science. We would be honoured to have you present our students
with their degree certificates. It would be a great chance for the students also
to interact with you about the different career opportunities they have.
We genuinely hope that you would accept our invitation. It would be highly
appreciated if you could reply to us by the 13th of January, 2022, so that we
can make the necessary arrangements for your travel and accommodation.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
ILAMARAN VISWA
The Vice Principal
II] Format of Informal individual invitations
Written in a letter form, in an informal format. Such letters are very
persuasive in nature.
Written in the first person.
Salutation is ‘dear + name’.
Complimentary close ‘Yours sincerely’.
Date of writing the invitation is given.
Sender’s address appears on the left-hand side.
Various tenses used to suit the sense.
Informal Invitation Letter for a Wedding
48/97, Golden Flats
Sathya Nagar 2nd Street
Mogappair West
Chennai – 600023
22nd December 20XX
Dear Vinith
This is to inform you that my son is getting married on the 10th of January,
2022, at NMR Conventional Centre, Bangalore. The wedding ceremony will
begin at 7 a.m. The reception will be held on the same day from 12 p.m.
onwards.
We wish and hope that you will be able to make it one or two days in advance.
Kindly let us know as soon as possible when you will be reaching so that we
could arrange transportation and accommodation facilities for you and your
family.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards
NAVEEN KUMAR
Replies
Replies can be either Accepting or Declining an invitation.
I] Formal Reply
Follow a set formula:
formal words: ‘kind invitation’, ‘great pleasure’, ‘regret’, etc.
Use third person (‘they’) instead of first person (T, ‘We’)
Address of the writer and the date to be written.
II] Informal Reply
Like an ordinary letter
Do not use any formal expressions, but use informal words and
expressions
Use first person (‘I’, ‘We’).
Examples
[Link] 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.
Answer:
St. Anne’s School
Ahmedabad
We cordially invite all staff, students and parents for the inauguration of the
Literary Club of the School on 29th July between 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
within the school premises. Well, known novelist, Mr Sandeep Kumar will be
our Chief Guest. You all are also requested to join us in the auditorium for
tea and snacks after the inauguration ceremony.
Secretary
Q2. Your school is organizing the Annual Day next month in one of the
prestigious auditoriums of your city. Draft an invitation in not more than
50 words giving all the essential details. Do not forget to include
necessary instructions against mobile phones and cameras.
Answer:
Q3. 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.
Q3. As the principal of a reputed college, you have been invited to inaugurate
a Book Exhibition in your neighbourhood. Draft a reply to the invitation in
not more than 50 words, expressing your inability to attend the function.
You are Tarun/Tanvi.
Answer:
The Principal
ABC College
March 25th, 20xx
Subject: Inability to accept the Invitation
Sir
I would like to express my gratitude to the Civil Lines Book Club for inviting me
to inaugurate the first edition of the Civil Club Book Exhibition. But I regret my
inability to attend the function due to a prior commitment. I have to attend a
meeting with the governing body of our college on the same day for which the
inauguration is scheduled.
Yours faithfully
Tanvi
Principal
Q4. Sunrise Global School, Agra is going to organize a one-act play competition
in the school auditorium. You have decided to invite noted stage artiste,
Nalini to grace the occasion. Draft a formal invitation for her in about 50
words. You are Karuna/Karan, Cultural Secretary.
The Principal, Staff And Teachers
Sunrise Public School
take pleasure in inviting
noted stage artist
MS. NALINI
to grace the one-act play competition
in the School Auditorium
on Tuesday, 1st April, 20xx
From 8:30 am to 11:00 am RSVP
Awaiting a favourable response from your end.
RSVP
Karuna, Cultural Secretary
987xxxxx00
Q5. Your friend, P.V. Sathish, has invited you to attend the wedding of his
sister, Jaya. You find that you have an important paper of pre-board
examination on the day of the wedding. Thus you cannot attend the event.
Write in about 50 words a formal reply to the invitation expressing your
regret. You are PuneeV Puneeta Vij, M 114, Fort Road, Chennai.
Answer:
15th January, 20xx
Thank you P.V. Sathish for your kind invitation to the wedding of your sister,
Jaya on 23rd January, 20xx. I regret my inability to attend as I have an
important pre-board examination on the day of the wedding. Wishing the
newly wedded couple a very happy married life.
Best wishes
Puneet
M-114, Fort Road, Chennai
UNSOLVED EXERCISES
Q1. M/s Shyam Lal & Sons is 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.
Q2. 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.
Q3. 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.
Q4. 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.
Q5. You are Navin/Neha, the Secretary of the Youth Club of your locality. You
are organising an inter-school group-song competition. Invite a prominent
musician to act as one of the judges.
Q6. You are Manoj. You are going on a picnic with a group of your classmates
to Kama Lake, near Karnal. Write an informal invitation to your friend
Mohit to join you on that day.
Q7. 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.
