LETTER WRITING (THIRD OF FIVE PARTS) Ma. Jezia P. Talavera BA Linguistics University of the Philippines Diliman
Dec 13, 2014
LETTER WRITING (THIRD OF FIVE PARTS)Ma. Jezia P. Talavera
BA Linguistics
University of the Philippines Diliman
1. LETTER FORMATAddress of Recipient
Date of Letter(Dear) Recipient's Name:
People read business letters quickly. Therefore, get to the point in the first paragraph--the first sentence, if possible. In other words, state what you want up front.
Single space your letters and use a serif typeface. Skip a line between paragraphs. Because people read business letters quickly, use shorter sentences and paragraphs than you would in a longer document. Sentences should average fewer than twenty words, and paragraphs should average fewer than seven lines.
Space your letter on the page so that it does not crowd the top.However, if possible, keep your letter to one page. Second pages often are not read. Send copies to anyone whose name you mention in the letter or who would be directly affected by the letter.
Final paragraphs should tell readers what you want them to do or what you will do for them.
Sincerely,SignatureFull name
2. SAMPLE LETTERS
2.1. FRIENDLY LETTER506 Country Lane
North Baysville, CA 53286July 16, 2007
Dear Susan,
It feels like such a long time since the last time I saw you. I know it's only been several weeks since I saw you. So far my summer has been great!
I spend my all my weekends at the beach. I am getting a nice tan and you can no longer say I am paler than you. I have been playing lots of volleyball, surfing and building a nice collection of sea shells. Just this past weekend I took second place in a sandcastle building contest!
I hope the summer's been going well for you too. There's only a month and a half left in summer vacation and after that it's back to school. Would you like to meet up some time before school starts?
Your friend,Signature
Name
2.1. FRIENDLY LETTER506 Country Lane
North Baysville, CA 53286July 16, 2007
Dear Susan,
It feels like such a long time since the last time I saw you. I know it's only been several weeks since I saw you. So far my summer has been great!
I spend my all my weekends at the beach. I am getting a nice tan and you can no longer say I am paler than you. I have been playing lots of volleyball, surfing and building a nice collection of sea shells. Just this past weekend I took second place in a sandcastle building contest!
I hope the summer's been going well for you too. There's only a month and a half left in summer vacation and after that it's back to school. Would you like to meet up some time before school starts?
Your friend,Signature
Name
ACTIVITY
Write a short friendly letter in 10
minutes.
2.2. REQUEST LETTER 764 Freedom Lane
Clearwater Falls, FL 23619
September 27, 2013
Mr. Louis Henderson
Store Manager
Dear Mr. Henderson:
My name is Cathy Pettis and I'm the chair of the Clearwater Falls Elementary School Fundraising Committee. The committee is planning to hold a fundraiser next month to raise funds for this years field trips and we're looking for donors to help out with providing goods for the fundraising event.
If The Corner Cafe is willing to help donate some coffee and cups, we would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks for your time and consideration, if you need to contact me with any questions, feel free to call me at 555-555-5555, I'm available to speak between 10am-5pm on weekdays.
Sincerely,
Signature
Name
2.2. REQUEST LETTER 764 Freedom Lane
Clearwater Falls, FL 23619
September 27, 2013
Mr. Louis Henderson
Store Manager
Dear Mr. Henderson:
My name is Cathy Pettis and I'm the chair of the Clearwater Falls Elementary School Fundraising Committee. The committee is planning to hold a fundraiser next month to raise funds for this years field trips and we're looking for donors to help out with providing goods for the fundraising event.
If The Corner Cafe is willing to help donate some coffee and cups, we would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks for your time and consideration, if you need to contact me with any questions, feel free to call me at 555-555-5555, I'm available to speak between 10am-5pm on weekdays.
Sincerely,
Signature
Name
ACTIVITY
Write a short request letter in 10
minutes.
2.3. APOLOGY LETTER (INFORMAL)68 Pine Zaggat Lane
Hampervile, NE 25385January 5, 2005
Dear Jolene,
I am sorry about forgetting about our lunch date. It was completely my fault; I was so busy at work that it must have slipped my mind. How about I treat you to lunch next Wednesday at the new Italian restaurant Julie's at 12:30PM? I have marked this date in my planner so I will not forget about it. I'd just like to apologize again for missing the lunch date.
Your friend,Name
2.3. APOLOGY LETTER (INFORMAL)68 Pine Zaggat Lane
Hampervile, NE 25385January 5, 2005
Dear Jolene,
I am sorry about forgetting about our lunch date. It was completely my fault; I was so busy at work that it must have slipped my mind. How about I treat you to lunch next Wednesday at the new Italian restaurant Julie's at 12:30PM? I have marked this date in my planner so I will not forget about it. I'd just like to apologize again for missing the lunch date.
Your friend,Name
ACTIVITY
Write a short apology letter in 10
minutes.
2.4. INVITATION LETTER97 Fir Crescent
Denver, CO 80409December 17, 2008
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,
As the parents of the bride, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the wedding of our daughter, Sandra Green to her fiancé, Adam Locke. On this joyous occasion, we wish to share the day with our closest friends and family members.
The formal event will be located at the Fire Lake Golf and Country Club on the fifteenth of August at three o'clock, two thousand and nine.
Please RSVP by the fifteenth of June to ensure attendance.
We hope to see you there to enjoy this special day with friends and family.
Sincerely yours,Signature
Name
2.4. INVITATION LETTER97 Fir Crescent
Denver, CO 80409December 17, 2008
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,
As the parents of the bride, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the wedding of our daughter, Sandra Green to her fiancé, Adam Locke. On this joyous occasion, we wish to share the day with our closest friends and family members.
The formal event will be located at the Fire Lake Golf and Country Club on the fifteenth of August at three o'clock, two thousand and nine.
Please RSVP by the fifteenth of June to ensure attendance.
We hope to see you there to enjoy this special day with friends and family.
Sincerely yours,Signature
Name
ACTIVITY
Write a short invitation letter in
10 minutes.
2.5. THANK YOU LETTER
August 25, 1987
Hi Aunt Kelly!
Thanks for the new bike you bought me for my birthday; it's just what I wanted. The color red fits the bike well! It is my favorite color. I plan on riding the bike around my neighborhood every day right after school. I look forward to seeing you soon! Thanks again for the bike.
Love,
Name
2.5. THANK YOU LETTER
August 25, 1987
Hi Aunt Kelly!
Thanks for the new bike you bought me for my birthday; it's just what I wanted. The color red fits the bike well! It is my favorite color. I plan on riding the bike around my neighborhood every day right after school. I look forward to seeing you soon! Thanks again for the bike.
Love,
Name
ACTIVITY
Write a short thank you letter in 10
minutes.
2.6. LOVE LETTERDecember 18, 2002
Dear Michael,
It's after midnight, but I'm not sleepy. All I want to do is talk to you, but I know that there's a two-hour time difference between us, and your sweet self is already sleeping.
I don't really have much to say, except one little thing. When I was a teenager, I made a list of everything I thought a perfect man should be. Later, I looked back on that as silly and told myself there was no point because there was no perfect man for me. But then I met you: you're kind, funny, smart, ambitious, honest, patient and gentle... and good-looking, too! You meet every point on my list (well, except that you don't drive a convertible... but maybe my teenage priorities were a little messed up).
What I love about you is that you've never wanted me to change. You love me for who I am, even though I'm far from perfect. I know I can trust you with all of my heart, and when you're around me is the only time I ever feel totally safe.
Love,
Name
2.6. LOVE LETTERDecember 18, 2002
Dear Michael,
It's after midnight, but I'm not sleepy. All I want to do is talk to you, but I know that there's a two-hour time difference between us, and your sweet self is already sleeping.
I don't really have much to say, except one little thing. When I was a teenager, I made a list of everything I thought a perfect man should be. Later, I looked back on that as silly and told myself there was no point because there was no perfect man for me. But then I met you: you're kind, funny, smart, ambitious, honest, patient and gentle... and good-looking, too! You meet every point on my list (well, except that you don't drive a convertible... but maybe my teenage priorities were a little messed up).
What I love about you is that you've never wanted me to change. You love me for who I am, even though I'm far from perfect. I know I can trust you with all of my heart, and when you're around me is the only time I ever feel totally safe.
Love,
Name
ACTIVITY
Write a short love you letter in 10
minutes.
REFERENCES Sample Love Letter. Retrieved August 18, 2014 from
http://www.freelettersamples.com/love1.htm Sample Apology Letter. Retrieved August 18, 2014 from
http://www.letterwritingguide.com/samplerequest.htm Sample Friendly Letter. Retrieved August 18, 2014 from
http://www.letterwritingguide.com/samplefriendlyletter.htm
Sample Letter Format. Retrieved August 18, 2014 from http://www.writing.engr.psu.edu/workbooks/letter_format.html
Sample Invitation Letter. Retrieved August 18, 2014 from http://www.letterwritingguide.com/sampleinvitationpersonal.htm
Sample Thank you Letter. Retrieved August 18, 2014 from http://www.letterwritingguide.com/thankyounotesample.htm