How to Write a Letter

Does your child know how to write a letter?  All of my Composition students have written a letter—they did seem a bit unsure about addressing an envelope.  Next week’s homework will be to write a letter.  What are the components in a letter?  Look at Grammarly’s overview of a letter’s contents.  Here is the link for the generic letter.Below the sample are a few notes about letters.

                                      Generic Letter:

1.  Note the block style; the letter is ‘left-justified’, not indented.  Since this is a request for donations, it is  more of a business letter, which uses the block style.  

2. ‘Dear Madam or Sir’ is a bit formal.  I prefer this salutation to ‘To whom it may concern’.  

3.  The body of the letter may be single or double-spaced.  Business letters are often double-spaced and typed in a 10-12 point, standard font to make the letter easier to read.  

4.  The closing is ‘Yours’ or ‘Sincerely’.  My preference is ‘Yours’ for business letters, grant application letters, donation letters, and college recommendations.  

5.  One more tip!  When I draft a letter for donations, the letter goes to the church’s secretary and to the church’s pastor for review.  Typically, I draft a template for the secretary or pastor to edit.  The letter is copied with the church’s letterhead and pastor’s signature, following his approval.