Writing Letters
by Janel Muyesseroglu

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
- Apologies
- Appreciation and thank
you: for favors or generosity
- Complaints
- Congratulations
- Invitations
- Offering Condolences
Employment Related Letters/Resumes
- Cover Letters
- Resumes
- Follow-up Letters
- Accepting Job Offers
- References and Recommendations
School Related Letters
- Organizations and Clubs
- References and Recommendations
(see employment related letters)
Deaf Related:
- Interpreters
- Social Security
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- 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)
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
- If you are using block format, you can
place your address anywhere on the letter. You can place it at the top of
the page (top center or top right side), or you can put your address at the
end of the letter after your signature and name, regardless of which format
you use.
- If you are using block form, you can
place the date on the left, in the center, or on the right. However, if you
are using the indented form, it is usually
better to place the date on the right or on the left. Do not put it in the
center.
- With the indented form, you can put
your signature on the right or left side of the page.
- If you want to make your letter stand out, boldly type your name in a larger
font at the top of the letter and type your address just below it in a smaller
font. Example:
Missy Gold
1345 Main Street
Anytown, VA 22879
- The word processing program in your computer might have some standard letter
templates that can help you. These programs generally have many different
style and format options. Check your template feature or the help desk on
your word processing program to see your options. Some key words you can try
are:
- letters
- create a letter
- write a letter
- resumes
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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