How to Write a Letter

The following is a step by step guide on How to Write a Letter

Whether you are writing to a friend, relative or acquaintance, you need to know how to write a letter in order for it to be most effective. In today's society, letters simply for the purpose of communication are nearly extinct; however, writing a letter often adds a much more personal touch than today's methods of texting or instant messaging. The tips below will teach you how to write a letter for any occasion.

The terminology you use will depend on who you are sending the letter to, whether it is a friend or someone you know personally, or for business purposes.

How to write a letter

1. Place the date in the upper left-hand corner. You will want a top margin of about one to two inches, depending on the length of the letter. Place the date along the left margin. This way, if you send your letter through the mail the recipient will know exactly when you wrote it.

2. Include your return address. Space down from the date, leaving one empty space before you begin writing your address. Include your name, physical address, city, state, zip code and telephone number or e-mail address.

3. Address your recipient. If you are sending the letter to a friend, you can simply use their first name. If the letter is going to a business associate or someone you don't know that well, simply start it off with "Dear" followed by Mr., Mrs. or Ms., their last name, and a comma. If you absolutely cannot find the recipient’s name, it is permissible to use "To Whom it May Concern", but this is very impersonal.

4. Begin the body of your letter. The first sentence or two should state the purpose of your letter, summarizing why you are writing. Do not indent paragraphs when you place all information such as date and salutation against the left-hand margin; simply space in between paragraphs. Continue with your letter, expanding on your reasons for writing. If corresponding for business purposes, keep the body of your letter brief and to the point.

5. Sign off on your letter. Depending upon whether you are writing to a close friend or acquaintance or for business reasons, you may want to end your letter with "Love", "Your Friend", "Thank You", "Sincerely" or "Best Regards". Whichever you use, follow it with a comma, skip two or three lines and sign your name.

Additional tips for writing a letter

Always be sure to proofread your work, looking for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. This is particularly important if you are writing for business purposes. Also remember to keep the body of your letter brief if it is not being written to a friend or loved one.

Now you know how to write a letter for any purpose! Whether writing to a friend or someone you don’t know, this general outline will work in almost any situation.