Writing a Friendly Writing a Friendly LetterLetter
Why?Why?Friendly letters convey Friendly letters convey
personal information about personal information about ourselves.ourselves.
They show caring and concern They show caring and concern for friends and relations. for friends and relations.
Taking the time to hand-write Taking the time to hand-write a letter demonstrates our level a letter demonstrates our level of caringof caring
FormattingFormatting
Friendly letters should be Friendly letters should be hand written.hand written.
Write on the backs of Write on the backs of pages, if necessary.pages, if necessary.
HeadingHeadingThe heading includes The heading includes youryour
address and the date.address and the date.Write the heading in the Write the heading in the
upper right-hand corner, upper right-hand corner, about 1” from the top of the about 1” from the top of the pagepage
Line up the leading edges, Line up the leading edges, STOP at the margin lineSTOP at the margin line
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Heading
GreetingGreetingUsually begins with the word Usually begins with the word
“Dear” and is followed by the “Dear” and is followed by the person’s name.person’s name.
Place a comma after the Place a comma after the person’s name.person’s name.
Leave one blank line after the Leave one blank line after the heading.heading.
Write the salutation at the Write the salutation at the left-hand margin.left-hand margin.
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
Greeting Skip one line Skip two lines
BodyBodyThe thoughts and ideas you The thoughts and ideas you
want to share.want to share.Skip one line after the Skip one line after the
greeting, then single spacegreeting, then single spaceIndent each new paragraph. Indent each new paragraph. Keep paragraphs short for Keep paragraphs short for
easy reading.easy reading.
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
Body
How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we
talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new
activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new students
are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year. I hope to hear from you soon!
Skip one line
ClosingClosingSkip one line and center.Skip one line and center.Capitalize only the first word.Capitalize only the first word.Follow with a commaFollow with a commaCommon closing words:Common closing words:
Love,Love, Sincerely,Sincerely,
Your friend, Respectfully,Your friend, Respectfully,
Regards, Yours truly,Regards, Yours truly,
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time
since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of
new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new
students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we
talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new
activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new students
are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
ClosingSincerely,
Skip one line
SignatureSignatureSignSign your letter beneath your letter beneath
your closing.your closing.For friendly letters, your first For friendly letters, your first
name is usually enough, name is usually enough, unless the person doesn’t unless the person doesn’t know you very well.know you very well.
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time
since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of
new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new
students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time
since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of
new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new
students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we
talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new
activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new students
are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
SignatureJake
Post Script (P.S.)Post Script (P.S.)A postscript is an afterthought A postscript is an afterthought
that you write at the end of that you write at the end of the letter.the letter.
P.S. stand for the Latin words P.S. stand for the Latin words postpost (“after”) and (“after”) and script script (“writing”).(“writing”).
Skip one line after your Skip one line after your signature, then write “P.S. - ” signature, then write “P.S. - ” at the margin.at the margin.
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time
since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of
new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new
students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Jake
34 Willow WayLincoln, RI 02865October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday, actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
34 Willow WayLincoln, RI 02865October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday, actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
34 Willow WayLincoln, RI 02865October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
Sincerely,
JakeP.S. P.S. – Be sure to send me a picture of your new cat!
How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we
talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new
activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new students
are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Once you have jotted Once you have jotted down your ideas, you are down your ideas, you are ready to mail it.ready to mail it.
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