how to write a friendly letter

1. Writing Friendly
Letters

2. Friendly letters have five parts:
The Heading
The Salutation (greeting)
The Body
The Closing
The Signature

3. The Heading
Gives the address of the
person writing the letter
Line 1 – Street address
Line 2 – City, State zip code
Gives the date on which the
letter was written on Line 3
Month Date, Year
Usually placed in the upper
right hand corner
Does not include the name of
the person writing the letter
5300 Northwest School Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
September 16, 2012

4. The Heading
Grammar Considerations:
Begin street, city, and
state names with capital
letters
Use a comma between the
name of the city and state
Begin the name of the
month with a capital letter
Use a comma after the
number of the day
5300 Northwest School Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
September 16, 2012

5. The Salutation / Greeting
Gives the greeting
Gives the name of the
person or people to
whom the letter is being
written to
Usually Dear ____,
Dear Madeline,
5300 Northwest School Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
September 16, 2012

6. The Salutation / Greeting
Grammar Considerations:
Begin the word Dear (or
other salutation) with a
capital letter
Begin the name of the
person to whom you are
writing with a capital letter
Comma follows the
greeting
Dear Madeline,
5300 Northwest School Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
September 16, 2012

7. The Body
Gives the message
Use words that are
appropriate for your
purpose and audience
Dear Madeline,
I hope you will be able to come and
visit next month. We are planning a
special visit to the museum. My mom will
call your mom later this week to make all
arrangements. Be sure to bring your
swimsuit when you come! We’re planning
an afternoon trip to the lake.
5300 Northwest School Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
September 16, 2012

8. The Body
Grammar Considerations:
Written in paragraph form
Space between each
paragraph
Use complete sentences
Punctuate and begin each
sentence with a capital
letter
Dear Madeline,
I hope you will be able to come and
visit next month. We are planning a
special visit to the museum. My mom will
call your mom later this week to make all
arrangements. Be sure to bring your
swimsuit when you come! We’re planning
an afternoon trip to the lake.
5300 Northwest School Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
September 16, 2012

9. The Closing
 Gives the ending
 Some examples of
closings are
 Sincerely,
 Your friend,
 Love,
 Very truly yours,
Dear Madeline,
I hope you will be able to come and
visit next month. We are planning a
special visit to the museum. My mom will
call your mom later this week to make all
arrangements. Be sure to bring your
swimsuit when you come! We’re planning
an afternoon trip to the lake.
5300 Northwest School Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
September 16, 2012
Your friend,

10. The Closing
Grammar Considerations:
Begin the first word of
the closing with a
capital letter
Followed by a comma
Dear Madeline,
I hope you will be able to come and
visit next month. We are planning a
special visit to the museum. My mom will
call your mom later this week to make all
arrangements. Be sure to bring your
swimsuit when you come! We’re planning
an afternoon trip to the lake.
5300 Northwest School Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
September 16, 2012
Your friend,

11. Your Signature
Gives the name of
the person who has
written the letter
Usually only first
name.
Dear Madeline,
I hope you will be able to come and
visit next month. We are planning a
special visit to the museum. My mom will
call your mom later this week to make all
arrangements. Be sure to bring your
swimsuit when you come! We’re planning
an afternoon trip to the lake.
5300 Northwest School Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
September 16, 2012
Your friend,
Grace

12. Your Signature
Grammar Considerations:
Written in cursive
Dear Madeline,
I hope you will be able to come and
visit next month. We are planning a
special visit to the museum. My mom will
call your mom later this week to make all
arrangements. Be sure to bring your
swimsuit when you come! We’re planning
an afternoon trip to the lake.
5300 Northwest School Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
September 16, 2012
Your friend,
Grace