1. Letter Writing

2. Why do people write letters?

3. Some reasons why we write letters:
Apply or resign from jobs
Say thank you
Express sympathy
Compliment or complain to a business
Share opinions
Persuade or influence others
Inform others about events or services
Stay in contact with others
Apply for college or scholarships

4. What types of letters? Formal: Informal: Also called business letters
Done on 8 x 11 sheet of paper
Folded three times
Specific Structure
Use a business envelope for letter
Informal:
Sent to friend and relatives or people that you know well.
Could be on a card, stationary, any size of paper.
Casual

5. Formal Letter

6. Elements Return Address: this is your address!!!! Date:
name, street address, city, state, zip code
SKIP a Line
Date:
month, day, year
SKIP a line
Inside Address:
name, title, street address, city, state, zip code

8. Elements Salutation: Body of Letter: Closing: Signature:
Dear Mr. Anderson,
To Whom It May Concern:
Dear Sir:
Dear Madam:
SKIP a LINE
Body of Letter:
1st paragraph/sentence should include the purpose of the letter
Examples:
I am writing to apply for…….
I would like to request…….
Closing:
Sincerely,
Regards,
Best wishes,
Kind regards,
Yours truly,
SKIP 4 LINES
Signature:
4 full spaces to sign your name
Typed name of letter writer

9. Differences Formal: Informal:
Address top right
Include telephone number or
Address of person receiving on left side
Date
Greeting
Message
Complimentary close
Signature
Typed name
Informal:
Sender’s address should be on the top right hand corner
Informal greeting: Dear, hi, greetings
Casual complimentary close: love, with thanks, see you soon.

10. Ideas for body of a letter…..
Beginning of letter:
I am writing to inform you ….
I am pleased to inform you that…..
I am sorry to inform you that….
Thank you for ……
I am grateful for ……
I am writing to request……
End of letter:
Thank you for your time.
I appreciate your help.
I look forward to hearing from you….
Please let me know as soon as you can.

11. Assignment #1 - Write a Formal Letter
Ideas:
Request information from a company.
Complain about bad service you received at a store or on the phone.
Complimentary letter to a company about an employee that helped you.
Request to a professional sports team for team gear or tickets or tour.
Write to the mayor asking to put a stop sign in on a street.
Write to the Superintendent to ask about an earlier or later start time.
Write to the bus company to change the bus route.