How To Write a Letter

Dear" is appropriate for either a business or personal letter. If you don’t know the recipient, use “To Whom it May Concern.” For informal letters, use “Hello,” or “Hi,” followed by a comma and the person’s first name.

State the purpose of the letter in the first paragraph.

Write the body of the letter clearly and logically so the reader knows why you are writing.

Close the letter with a paragraph describing the action you expect the recipient to take.

Choose an informal or formal closing based on the recipient. “Sincerely,” or “Regards,” works in nearly every situation. Write your name and sign the letter.

Write your address in the upper-left corner of the envelope. Write the recipient’s address in the middle. Seal the letter in the envelope, place a stamp in the top-right corner, and mail it.