Writing letters for yourself or anyone else is relatively easy once you know the basic parts of a letter and practice a bit. Whatever format or writing style you use, you always need a few basic pieces, salutation, body and closing. Everything in addition to that is optional in a personal letter. Letters to businesses of for professional use will require move information.
Most people like to date their letters at the top before even starting. This is perfectly acceptable and expected for business transactions. Starting with a date serves as a reference point should you ever have to refer back to its contents in your dealings with that person or business.
Salutations are generally something like Dear Mr. Smith or Hi Joe depending on the type of letter you are writing. If you do not know the name of the person you are addressing the letter to, a departmental title will serve as an alternative in a business letter. The body of the letter should contain the reason for the letter and all information that you are attempting to convey. The body can be as short or as long as it needs to be and should be broken up into paragraphs to emphasize the different points as needed. The closing can be a simple Thank you or Sincerely followed by your typed name and signature.
An example of a letter addressed to your bank could look like this.
July 08, 1987
Dear Mr. Jones,
I am writing this letter to ask you to close my savings account #xxxx999375 and forward a cashier’s check to me by postal mail. My signature below authorizes this transaction and any questions can be addressed to me by telephone at the number listed in my account (222)555-0101.
Thank you,
Gene Hart
123 Any Street
City, NY 00010
Most people like to date their letters at the top before even starting. This is perfectly acceptable and expected for business transactions. Starting with a date serves as a reference point should you ever have to refer back to its contents in your dealings with that person or business.
Salutations are generally something like Dear Mr. Smith or Hi Joe depending on the type of letter you are writing. If you do not know the name of the person you are addressing the letter to, a departmental title will serve as an alternative in a business letter. The body of the letter should contain the reason for the letter and all information that you are attempting to convey. The body can be as short or as long as it needs to be and should be broken up into paragraphs to emphasize the different points as needed. The closing can be a simple Thank you or Sincerely followed by your typed name and signature.
An example of a letter addressed to your bank could look like this.
July 08, 1987
Dear Mr. Jones,
I am writing this letter to ask you to close my savings account #xxxx999375 and forward a cashier’s check to me by postal mail. My signature below authorizes this transaction and any questions can be addressed to me by telephone at the number listed in my account (222)555-0101.
Thank you,
Gene Hart
123 Any Street
City, NY 00010
