1. Writing a FriendlyWriting a Friendly
LetterLetter

2. Why?Why?
Friendly letters conveyFriendly letters convey
personal information aboutpersonal information about
ourselves.ourselves.
They show caring and concernThey show caring and concern
for friends and relations.for friends and relations.
Taking the time to hand-writeTaking the time to hand-write
a letter demonstrates oura letter demonstrates our
level of caringlevel of caring

3. FormattingFormatting
Friendly letters should beFriendly letters should be
hand written.hand written.
Write on the backs ofWrite on the backs of
pages, if necessary.pages, if necessary.

4. HeadingHeading
The heading includesThe heading includes youryour
address and the date.address and the date.
Write the heading in theWrite the heading in the
upper right-hand corner,upper right-hand corner,
about 1” from the top of theabout 1” from the top of the
pagepage
Line up the leading edges,Line up the leading edges,
STOP at the margin lineSTOP at the margin line

5. 34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Heading

6. SalutationSalutation
Usually begins with the wordUsually begins with the word
“Dear” and is followed by the“Dear” and is followed by the
person’s name.person’s name.
Place a comma after thePlace a comma after the
person’s name.person’s name.
Leave one blank line after theLeave one blank line after the
heading.heading.
Write the salutation at theWrite the salutation at the
left-hand margin.left-hand margin.

7. 34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
Salutation
Skip one line
Skip two lines

8. BodyBody
The thoughts and ideas youThe thoughts and ideas you
want to share.want to share.
Skip one line after theSkip one line after the
salutation, then single spacesalutation, then single space
Indent each new paragraph.Indent each new paragraph.
Keep paragraphs short forKeep paragraphs short for
easy reading.easy reading.

9. 34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
Body
How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we
talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new
activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new students
are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Skip one line

10. ClosingClosing
Skip one line, indent twice.Skip one line, indent twice.
Capitalize only the first word.Capitalize only the first word.
Follow with a commaFollow with a comma
Common closing words:Common closing words:
Love,Love, Sincerely,Sincerely,
Your friend, Respectfully,Your friend, Respectfully,
Regards, Yours truly,Regards, Yours truly,

11. 34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time
since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of
new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new
students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we
talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new
activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new students
are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Closing Sincerely,
Skip one line

12. SignatureSignature
SignSign your letter beneath youryour letter beneath your
closing.closing.
For friendly letters, your firstFor friendly letters, your first
name is usually enough,name is usually enough,
unless the person doesn’tunless the person doesn’t
know you very well.know you very well.

13. 34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time
since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of
new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new
students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time
since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of
new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new
students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we
talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new
activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new students
are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
SignatureJake

14. Post Script (P.S.)Post Script (P.S.)
A postscript is an afterthoughtA postscript is an afterthought
that you write at the end ofthat you write at the end of
the letter.the letter.
P.S. stand for the Latin wordsP.S. stand for the Latin words
postpost (“after”) and(“after”) and scriptscript
(“writing”).(“writing”).
Skip one line after yourSkip one line after your
signature, then write “P.S. - ”signature, then write “P.S. - ”
at the margin.at the margin.

15. 34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time
since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of
new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new
students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Jake
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time
since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of
new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new
students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
How are you doing? It’s been a long time
since we talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of
new activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new
students are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!
34 Willow Way
Lincoln, RI 02865
October 1, 2002
Dear Jen,
Sincerely,
Jake
P.S. P.S. – Be sure to send me a picture of your new cat!
How are you doing? It’s been a long time since we
talked. I hope you are well.
What is new with you? I’ve been doing a lot of new
activities. My band is playing a gig this Saturday,
actually. We’re pretty good; I think it’s going to be a good
show. I’m very excited!
School has been going well, too. My new students
are very nice, and very smart. I think we’re
going to have a fun year.
I hope to hear from you soon!

16. And now you!!!!And now you!!!!
Once you have jottedOnce you have jotted
down your ideas, you aredown your ideas, you are
ready to mail it.ready to mail it.