Letter WritingLetter Writing

Although there are many forms of Although there are many forms of letters: informative, persuasive, letters: informative, persuasive, application, “thank-yous,” etc… application, “thank-yous,” etc…

All have the same basic structure All have the same basic structure and process. and process.

Information and examples in this Powerpoint taken from: Writer’s Inc.

Assignment: Progress Assignment: Progress Report LetterReport Letter

At this point in the term you are to At this point in the term you are to write a letter (address info will be left write a letter (address info will be left off) reflecting on the term. This should off) reflecting on the term. This should follow standard letter format and be follow standard letter format and be turned in in the week following the turned in in the week following the progress report. progress report.

A Letter’s Basic PartsA Letter’s Basic Parts Inside AddressInside Address: This matches the : This matches the

address on the outside of the envelope address on the outside of the envelope and is there so that the letter does not go and is there so that the letter does not go astray once the envelope is opened. astray once the envelope is opened.

SalutationSalutation: This personalizes the letter. : This personalizes the letter. Use “Dear” only with people you know Use “Dear” only with people you know personally; all others use a title: Mr. Mrs. personally; all others use a title: Mr. Mrs. Dr etc… Place a colon (:) after the name. Dr etc… Place a colon (:) after the name.

Body of LetterBody of Letter: The body is the meat of : The body is the meat of the letter. Use single spaced paragraphs; the letter. Use single spaced paragraphs; double space between paragraphs. double space between paragraphs.

Complimentary ClosingComplimentary Closing: This ends the : This ends the letter on good terms with a polite word letter on good terms with a polite word or phrase: or phrase: Sincerely, Yours respectfully, Sincerely, Yours respectfully, Truly yours.Truly yours.

SignatureSignature: This make the letter official. : This make the letter official. Provide 4 lines above your typed name to Provide 4 lines above your typed name to sign. sign.

The Body—A Closer LookThe Body—A Closer Look BeginningBeginning: This is a single : This is a single

paragraph (no more) which paragraph (no more) which can be as short as a single can be as short as a single sentence. The purpose is to sentence. The purpose is to inform the reader what the inform the reader what the purpose of this letter is and purpose of this letter is and often contains phrases such often contains phrases such as “I am writing…”.as “I am writing…”.

MiddleMiddle: Provides the : Provides the details of importance. details of importance. Group this information into Group this information into blocks for the paragraphs. blocks for the paragraphs. This section can be This section can be anywhere from 1-7 anywhere from 1-7 paragraphs long.paragraphs long.

Ending: Ending: Close out the letter Close out the letter and suggest the course of and suggest the course of action you would like to see action you would like to see from your reader. from your reader.

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The Body’s Beginning…The Body’s Beginning…The beginnings of letters give background information of your involvement The beginnings of letters give background information of your involvement

with an issue and state the purpose or issue of your letter. The purpose is with an issue and state the purpose or issue of your letter. The purpose is to give your reader the context for understanding your request, interest, to give your reader the context for understanding your request, interest, or critique as well as knowing from the beginning if this is a letter that she or critique as well as knowing from the beginning if this is a letter that she or someone else needs to read. or someone else needs to read.

Director Shepard:

I am a sophomore at Washington High School in Savannah, Georgia. For my World Cultures class, I’m working on a research paper and visual presentation about Colombia, and I need more information.

Ms. Roosenbach:

My lab group and I really enjoyed Mr. Finch’s biology class this year. We especially liked the unit on animal systems. However, while the teacher was good and the subject was interesting, the poor condition of lab tools made lab work frustrating.

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The Body’s Middle…The Body’s Middle…

The middle of the body is there to provide the reader with the The middle of the body is there to provide the reader with the information necessary to understand the issue, problem, idea, information necessary to understand the issue, problem, idea, etc… which you are presenting and can also present possible etc… which you are presenting and can also present possible solutions. This should be broken up into paragraphs which make solutions. This should be broken up into paragraphs which make logical sense; this can be done through: a sequence of events, logical sense; this can be done through: a sequence of events, persons involved, order of importance, and so on. persons involved, order of importance, and so on.

…I couldn’t bear the thought of eating meat. (End of “Beginning”)

When school started, I thought I could eat school lunches by simply staying away from meat dishes. My plan worked for a few weeks, but it got tough to eat peanut-butter sandwiches and applesauce every day. The school lunch program is great for most students, but it doesn’t work well for vegetarians.

After talking with other vegetarian students, I believe that the lunch program can work for everyone. Some options are to have a greater variety of side dishes and a salad bar everyday that even non-vegetarians could enjoy. The school lunch program would then provide something for everyone.

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The Body’s Ending…The Body’s Ending…The final paragraph in a The final paragraph in a

letter contains any letter contains any specific additional specific additional information such as: information such as: phone numbers, email phone numbers, email addresses, dates and addresses, dates and times, etc… This times, etc… This paragraph also paragraph also contains information contains information as to specific actions as to specific actions the reader should the reader should take.take.

No matter what has been No matter what has been said during the rest of said during the rest of the letter the the letter the tonetone of of this paragraph should this paragraph should be professional and be professional and polite. This is the last polite. This is the last word you will have word you will have with the reader, leave with the reader, leave on good terms. on good terms.

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If you would like more information, please let me know by calling 555-997-3205 anytime during the day or by e-mailing me at greensleeves@aol.com . Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Allison Emerson

As you set the budget for next year, please consider the biology class. It’s a great class, but new equipment would make it even better. Please let Mr. Finch know what you decide.

Respectfully,

Miranda Scholten

Your Term Reflection Your Term Reflection Letter should contain the Letter should contain the

following following parts/paragraphs…parts/paragraphs… Address Information (Leave destination blank, Address Information (Leave destination blank,

use your home information for return)use your home information for return) Salutation (Dear _____) Salutation (Dear _____) left blankleft blank Body:Body:

What has been studied so far during this term and What has been studied so far during this term and what you have learned. (Give some detail)what you have learned. (Give some detail)

An evaluation of how you have done so far this term. An evaluation of how you have done so far this term. (Be honest)(Be honest)

What parts you have done well in or enjoyed. What parts you have done well in or enjoyed. Which parts of class have been giving you the most Which parts of class have been giving you the most

difficulty or are responsible for you current grade. difficulty or are responsible for you current grade. A proposal for what you will need to do in the A proposal for what you will need to do in the

following weeks to improve your performance. (Be following weeks to improve your performance. (Be specific)specific)

SignatureSignature

Your Assignment for To Your Assignment for To Kill a MockingbirdKill a Mockingbird

The Film of TKM is different The Film of TKM is different from the book in several from the book in several ways. Your assignment is ways. Your assignment is to assess on of the to assess on of the decisions made in decisions made in changing the work and to changing the work and to either complement the either complement the change or criticize it in an change or criticize it in an intelligent and informed intelligent and informed manner; explaining in manner; explaining in rational and appropriate rational and appropriate terms your reasoning for terms your reasoning for your criticism. your criticism.

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