In the digital age, many may think letter writing is a dying art. Emails, texts, and instant messaging are certainly convenient ways to reach out. However, a well-crafted letter remains an effective and meaningful form of communication for both personal and professional needs.
Learning how to compose letters that are organized engaging and error-free takes practice. But mastering the art of letter writing can help you connect with recipients in a lasting way.
Follow these tips for crafting letters that make a polished and professional impression
Know Your Audience
Before writing, think carefully about who will be receiving and reading your letter. Your relationship to the recipient and their needs should guide how you structure and word the letter.
Key factors to consider:
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What do they already know about the subject? What background information needs to be included?
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What tone is appropriate for them – formal, casual, sympathetic?
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What are their interests and priorities? What details will resonate most?
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What outcome do they expect from the letter? How can you guide them toward that goal?
Understanding your audience provides an invaluable compass for writing effectively.
Organize with the Reader in Mind
Once you know your readers, organize your letter to meet their needs:
Lead with the Main Message
Place key points upfront instead of burying them later. Readers appreciate knowing early on what the letter concerns and what actions you hope they will take.
Use Sympathetic Openings When Appropriate
If writing to convey difficult news or a sensitive issue, a warm opening helps cushion the main message. For example, thank the recipient for their time and acknowledge the situation’s challenges.
Follow with Background Details
Provide context, facts, explanations, and other details after the main message to justify your requests or recommendations. Weave in only what the recipient needs to take the desired next steps.
Close with a Clear Call to Action
End by recapping the desired outcome and spelling out any needed actions clearly and explicitly. Let the reader know exactly what you hope happens next.
Employ a Polished Style
Carefully choose words and structure sentences to create a polished style:
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Use active voice and positive language. Avoid excessive use of passive voice, negatives, or excessive qualifiers which can cloud your message.
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Vary sentence length. Short, medium, and long sentences prevent monotony.
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Limit technical jargon. Explain terminology and acronyms if needed to help the reader.
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Use pronouns to speak directly. “You” and “your” engage the reader versus third person constructions.
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Adopt the right tone. Match your style to the relationship, from formal to casual. Be warm but also clear and concise.
With practice, these techniques will come naturally. Seek feedback from colleagues or friends when possible.
Format for Clarity
A clear, logical format aids readability:
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Use informative subject lines. State the purpose upfront in a few concise words.
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Include your contact information in the header or signature so recipients can follow up.
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Break content into short paragraphs. Chunks of 2-4 sentences maximum are most scannable.
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Number lists or bullet key points. This further breaks up dense text.
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Close formally. “Sincerely” or “Best regards” work well for professional letters.
Proofread Meticulously
Carefully proofread before sending:
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Check for typos. Read slowly or try reading backwards to spot errors.
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Look for grammatical mistakes. Common issues include subject-verb disagreement, pronouns errors, run-on sentences, etc.
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Ensure correct spelling of names. Cross-check any names against existing correspondence.
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Read aloud for flow. Does the letter sound natural when spoken?
Having a trusted colleague also review your letter helps catch issues you may overlook.
Examples
Here are two example letters demonstrating these principles:
Formal Business Letter
To: Helen Smith, Venture Capital LLC
From: Samantha Lee, Bright Ideas Startup
Date: March 7, 2022
Subject: Meeting Request to Discuss Series A Funding
Dear Ms. Smith,
Given our company’s rapid user growth and promising second quarter projections, we are now seeking a round of $2 million in Series A funding. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet in person to further discuss Bright Ideas’ current traction and growth strategy.
Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to partnering together.
Sincerely,
Samantha Lee
CEO, Bright Ideas Startup
Personal Thank You Letter
April 14, 2022
Dear Aunt Stacy,
I just wanted to send you a quick thank you note showing my appreciation for the incredibly generous gift you gave me for my high school graduation. I was so touched when I opened up the envelope and found the $500 check inside.
Thanks to your gift, I’m planning to buy a new laptop I’ll need when I start college at State University in the fall. Having my own laptop will really help me stay organized with my classes, homework, and activities over the next four years. I promise to use it wisely and get good grades!
Beyond the gift, I also just want to thank you for always being there for me with love and support over the years. From letting me stay with you when I visited Los Angeles to sending care packages at college, you are an amazing aunt. I’m so blessed to have you in my life.
Thanks again for everything. I hope I can return the favor someday!
Love,
Alex
With some time and practice, you can craft effective letters like these. Just follow the steps on understanding your reader, organizing logically, writing concisely, formatting clearly, and proofing meticulously. Soon, you’ll be penning polished, professional communications.
Lead with vulnerability and curiosity
In any form of letter writing, were looking to be affirmed, says Taylor.
That affirmation starts with “committing to telling your story,” and being open and vulnerable with the person on the other end of your message — meaning not just sharing the cold hard facts of our lives, but the feelings behind them.
Say, for example, youd like to share that you received a promotion at work. “I dont want to just talk about the event itself,” Taylor says. “I want to talk about how it has changed my mental health or my sense of confidence or how its altered the free time that I have.”
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(And if that feels like too personal an ask for you, thats OK! Taylor advises being selective about when and to whom we send personal messages. You dont have to use your best writing energy on everyone!)
From there, she says, ask open-ended questions and let your own personal experience inform your curiosity. Instead of just asking about the weather, you might ask the receiver if theyve had a similar experience, or if they could offer you advice.
By offering your audience a window into your personal experience, youre also giving them space to do the same.
To find the right tone, know your audience
Focus less on the occasion and more on the relationship you have with the person youre writing to, says Taylor. If your best friend loves a good laugh, its absolutely OK to lean into the humor with a cartoon-laden singalong birthday card. But if youre writing a thank you email to your new boss? Maybe its not the best time to try out your stand-up routine.
When trying to connect emotionally, dont be scared to go all in. “I think the easiest way to talk about and uplift someone is to point to how theyve impacted your life, how theyve brought great days for you,” Taylor says.
Share your favorite memory with your reader, and how they made you feel. Let them know you want to return the favor. “Leaning into those memories you have with that person, I think is the best way to send a very heartfelt message to celebrate them on special occasions,” she says.
