It is fundamental to know how to write a letter, because this skill will serve you in your business, at school and in your personal relationships. Thus, you will be able to communicate information, express your desires or your affection. However, it will be necessary to follow a few simple rules to present your letter correctly.
Write an official letter
Know when to write a formal letter. Such a letter allows you to communicate with a person in a professional context. Generally, you do not know the recipient of the letter well.
These letters should be typed and then printed. For this purpose, you can use any word processing software, such as ” Microsoft Word “, “OpenOffice” or “TextEdit”. If the letter is urgent or the recipient prefers email, you can email them.
When talking to your boss or a co-worker, you can be a little less strict. Generally, an email is sufficient and you do not need to provide an address at the top of the page.
Write your address and the date at the top of the page. If you’re writing a business letter, use the company name and address or write your letter on letterhead. Either way, skip two lines, then enter today’s date.
Write the full date. It is best to spell out the full name of the month, for example: “September 19, 2014”. Otherwise you can also write: “19/9/14”.
Do not include a date in an email.
Write the recipient’s name and address. Skip two lines, then enter the recipient’s contact information. This step is not necessary, if it is an email. Write the following inscriptions each on a separate line:
Write an appeal form. Skip a line, then you can greet the recipient by writing the word “dear” followed by their name. You must use the surname or the surname and the first name, but never the first name alone. Include the title or function abbreviation if applicable.
If you only know the function of the recipient, you can write, for example: “to the Director of Health” or a similar expression. It is usually possible to find the recipient’s name by searching online. So, you will have to try this formula first.
If you don’t have any information, just write “madam, sir” or “to whom it may concern”. This last phrase sounds a bit dry or old-fashioned, so avoid using it as much as possible.
Write the letter. The beginning of a formal letter should contain a clear statement of purpose. Don’t start your letter with a colloquial phrase like “hi,” but instead write a proper salutation. Likewise, never end your letter with a fashionable expression like “see you”, but use a classic polite formula.
If you are writing a business letter, be concise and to the point. If you’re writing to a distant relative or in the context of a social relationship, you can adopt a lighter style. However, try not to exceed one page.
Write a glowing conclusion. In fact, it is a question of concluding your letter on a favorable note, by addressing the recipient with an appropriate polite phrase. Skip two lines after the last paragraph, then write your salutation. For formal letters, limit yourself to formulas such as “please accept the expression of my deep respect” or “please accept my best regards”. Then add your signature.
For a formal letter, skip about four lines after the polite form, then write your first and last name. Print the letter, then affix your signature in blue or black ink in the space thus marked out.
In a formal email, type your first and last name after the polite form.
By putting your name at the bottom of an official letter, you can use your title. Thus, a married woman could sign using the expression “Madame Amanda Ligator”.
Fold the letter if you want. If you are sending a letter by post, it is best to fold it in three parts. First, fold the bottom of the sheet to cover two-thirds of the page, then fold the top to match the crease with the bottom of the sheet. By doing this, you are sure that the letter will fit in most envelopes.
Write the recipient’s address on the envelope. Determine the middle of the envelope lengthwise and crosswise and write the recipient’s full address in this space:
Write the sender’s address on the back of the envelope, if applicable. So if, for some reason, the Postal Service cannot deliver your letter, it can return it to the sender’s address at no additional cost. Write your address using the format you used for the recipient’s address (see above). The only difference is that you can simply enter your name without mentioning your first name.
Write an informal letter
Determine how formal your letter is. The style of your letter will depend on the nature of your relationship with the recipient.
Adopt a semi-formal style, if you are writing to an elderly or distant relative or a social relation. If the person in question has already emailed you, you can reply with an email. Otherwise, it is better to send him a handwritten letter.