Writing a Friendly Letter

1. Writing a Friendly Letter

2. Why? • Friendly letters convey personal information about ourselves. • They show caring and concern for friends and relations. • Taking the time to hand-write a letter demonstrates our level of caring

3. Formatting • Friendly letters should be hand written. • Write on the backs of pages, if necessary.

4. Heading • The heading includes your address and the date. • Write the heading in the upper right-hand corner, about 1” from the top of the page • Line up the leading edges, STOP at the margin line

5. Heading 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002

6. Salutation • Usually begins with the word “Dear” and is followed by the person’s name. • Place a comma after the person’s name. • Leave one blank line after the heading. • Write the salutation at the left-hand margin.

7. 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002 Salutation Skip one line Skip two lines Dear Jen,

8. Body • The thoughts and ideas you want to share. • Skip one line after the salutation, then single space • Indent each new paragraph. • Keep paragraphs short for easy reading.

9. 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, Skip one line 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! Body

10. Closing • Skip one line, indent twice. • Capitalize only the first word. • Follow with a comma • Common closing words: Love,Sincerely, Your friend, Respectfully, Regards, Yours truly,

11. 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, 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! 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 Closing Sincerely,

12. Signature • Signyour letter beneath your closing. • For friendly letters, your first name is usually enough, unless the person doesn’t know you very well.

13. 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, Dear Jen, 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! 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! 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, Sincerely, Signature Jake

14. Post Script (P.S.) • A postscript is an afterthought that you write at the end of the letter. • P.S. stand for the Latin words post (“after”) and script (“writing”). • Skip one line after your signature, then write “P.S. - ” at the margin.

15. 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002 34 Willow Way Lincoln, RI 02865 October 1, 2002 Dear Jen, Dear Jen, Dear Jen, 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! 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! 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! 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 Sincerely, Sincerely, Jake P.S. P.S. – Be sure to send me a picture of your new cat!

16. Once you have jotted down your ideas, you are ready to mail it.