It is probably not a problem for anyone to write an e-mail, sms or message on any of the many messengers. They are our daily routine, an important means of communication with friends. And try right now to take a piece of paper and write a traditional letter – with pen on paper. You’ll be surprised: it may not work the first time – despite the fact that you have written perfectly well in school essays and you have something to say to your family, friends and loved ones. Meanwhile, no matter how good modern means of communication are, nothing can replace real, live writing. It is in it, the handwriting, the originality of style is truly reflected our feelings, emotions, thoughts, our character.
Write the date of the letter
Traditionally, you should put the date in the upper left-hand corner of your letter. But you can also put it at the bottom, near the signature. Many people keep letters they get for years and reread them from time to time. The recipient should be happy to remember exactly when the letter was written. Include the date, such as: “May 7, 2019.” or use numbers to indicate the day, month and year.
Write a greeting.
The beginning of the letter is called a greeting. This is where you address the person you’re writing to by name, such as “Dear Alexandra!” or “Hello, Scott!” Consider the nature of your relationship with the recipient and choose an appropriate form of greeting.
If you tend to write in a semi-formal style, use “Dear/Dear” as your greeting. It sounds typical enough, but you should think twice when calling someone “dear” because it sounds nice enough and shows you care about the other person. There is no need to put any special meaning into the greeting, but “dear” is a more appropriate title for a letter to a friend or acquaintance.
For a more informal letter, use a greeting such as “Hello, [name]!” or “Hello, [name]!” (the latter when “you” is used). This greeting is appropriate for a friend or relative, but it’s too informal to use in a business letter.
Specify a personal greeting for someone with whom you have a personal relationship. For example: “My dear [name]!”, “My dear [name]!”, or “My good [name]!”.
Be sure to end your greeting with a period or exclamation point. It is proper to begin the main body of the letter with a new line.
Start with nice things.
The first part of a friendly letter is usually warm and cheerful. This can set the tone for the entire letter, letting the recipient know what follows and the letter will sound more serious or businesslike. Write a few lines of greeting, tell a joke, or write about the weather.
“How are you?” or “How are you?” – are the most common ways to begin a letter. Ask a question to make the letter seem like part of a long conversation. If you want a response to the letter, fill it with questions.
You can use the first paragraph of the letter to ask the recipient more about his or her life.
Share news and details about your life
Now it’s time for the main body of the letter and the purpose of writing it. Why did you start this correspondence? Do you want to reconnect with an old friend, express how much you miss them, or thank them for their help? Be honest, open, and articulate.
Write about what is going on in your life. Despite the nature of the letter, your letter will be appreciated, but stories about your life will bring your recipient and you closer together. In this way, the letter will be more effective and open. Tell what happened, what emotions you experienced, and what plans you have for the future.
Choose topics that directly relate to your friend
What was your friend doing the last time you saw him or her? Maybe he broke up with his significant other? Maybe he was going through a tough time on the soccer team? Tune in by referring to familiar topics and ask questions to show your interest in your friend’s affairs.
Curtail the discussion.
Write the last paragraph, conveying your friend or loved one’s best wishes. The last paragraph is usually lighter in emotional weight, but it should match the overall atmosphere of the letter. End the letter on a positive note, so that your friend is in your mood.
End of the letter
Write an ending. It should convey the mood of your letter, depending on its tone: formal or informal. Like a greeting, the ending is determined by the nature of your relationship with the recipient. End the letter with your name.
If you want to end the letter formally, write “Sincerely yours,” “Regards,” or “Best regards.”
If the letter is written in an informal tone, use phrases such as “Your…,” “Take care,” or “Bye.”
If the letter is personal, write “Love,” “Love you very much,” or “Miss you.”