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Writing Letters

by Janel Muyesseroglu

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Do you need to write a letter but are not quite sure how to write it? Do you need to write a personal letter? A letter for a job? How about a letter for school?

The following information can help you write the type of letter that you need.

Personal Letters

  1. Apologies
  2. Appreciation and thank you: for favors or generosity
  3. Complaints
  4. Congratulations
  5. Invitations
  6. Offering Condolences

Employment Related Letters/Resumes

  1. Cover Letters
  2. Resumes
  3. Follow-up Letters
  4. Accepting Job Offers
  5. References and Recommendations

School Related Letters

  1. Organizations and Clubs
  2. References and Recommendations (see employment related letters)

Deaf Related:

  1. Interpreters
  2. Social Security
  3. Vocational Rehabilitation
  4. Advocacy

Format for Writing Letters

There are several formats for writing professional letters. There are two basic styles of letters: block form and indented form. The samples below will help you determine which style you prefer.

 


Block Form

 

Your Name
Address
Phone Number
E-mail (optional)


Date


Name of Receiver
Title
Company Name
Address

Dear __________:

When writing a letter using block form, no lines are indented. Include your name, address, and phone number where you can be contacted, as well as the date. You then include the name and address of the person you are sending the letter to.

With new paragraphs, just skip a line instead of indenting.

Add your phone number where you can be contacted in the last paragraph. If the receiver needs to use a relay service to call you, briefly explain that you are deaf/ hard-of-hearing and that s/he can call you through relay. Give the receiver his/her state relay number and explain that s/he will need to give the operator your number. Then give him/her your number. Click here for a list of state relay numbers.

Sincerely,

Your Signature

Your Name
Your Title

 

 

 


Indented Form

Your Name
Address
Phone Number
E-mail (optional)


Date


Name of Receiver
Title
Company Name
Address

Dear __________:

          When writing a letter using indented form, indent each paragraph. First include your name, address, phone number, and the date. This information should be located at the top of the page, either in the center, or indented on the right side of the paper. You then include the name and address of the person to whom you are sending the letter.
          At the end of the letter, place your signature on the right side of the page. Don't forget to provide any relay information if necessary.

Sincerely,

Your Signature

Your Name
Your Title

 

 

 


Simplified Style Form

 

Your Name
Address
Phone Number
E-mail (optional)


Date


Name of Receiver
Title
Company Name
Address


SUBJECT LINE (use capital letters)


When writing a letter using simplified style form, put the date on the left. Then, put the receiver's name, and his/her title, company name, and address.

Write a subject line instead of a salutation. The subject line must be in all capital letters.

At the end of the letter, put your name and title, all in capital letters.


YOUR NAME
YOUR TITLE

 

 

 


OTHER OPTIONS

References

Gallaudet Interpreting Services (June 1999). GIS Web. [Online]. Available: http://www.gallaudet.edu/~gisweb/ [June 23, 1999].

Maggio, R. (1990). How to say it. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Webster's New World Office Professional's Handbook. (5th ed.). (1996). New York: Macmillan.

Yate, M. (1997). Cover letters that knock'em dead. Holbrook, Massachusetts: Adams Media Corporation.


Updated June 2, 2001
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