Buzz
Communicating through digital devices is extremely convenient and simple, such as sending messages or emails, which is why people often neglect the idea of writing letters. This could explain why receiving a handwritten letter from a friend through the mail makes you feel truly special. The next time you think about this friend, grab a piece of paper and turn your thoughts into words. Surely, your friend will be delighted by this intimate form of communication.
Steps
Begin the Letter
Determine the purpose of the letter. There are many reasons why you might want to write a letter to a friend. You may have just found a way to contact them after a long time apart, or perhaps you have something exciting to share. Of course, you might also write to ask about their health.
- If it’s been a while since you’ve received a letter from them, you could send a note to check in and see if everything is okay, or inquire whether they’re busy with work.
Write your address and the date of the letter. Your current address should be placed in the top left corner of the letter. Including this information is a good idea since your friend might have forgotten your address. You should also note the date on which you wrote the letter, as it will provide context for the details you mention.
- For example, if you and your friend frequently correspond, adding the date will serve as a reminder of whether they’ve replied to your previous letter.
Decide whether you want to write a short or long letter. If you simply want to jot down a quick note, keep it brief. For such quick letters, you can use a notepad for writing. However, for a longer letter with more detailed information, opt for regular writing paper or larger-sized letter paper.
- If you feel you can't convey everything you want to say in a small note, use letter-sized paper, lined paper, or any other office paper. This way, you'll have more space to write.
Decide whether you want to type or handwrite the letter. Handwritten letters feel more personal, but you need to practice writing clearly so the letter is easy to read. If you want to handwrite the letter, make sure your friend will be able to read it easily. Alternatively, if you prefer typing, that option is perfectly fine as well.
Tip: When writing to an older person, consider typing the letter using a larger, easy-to-read font.
Choose a natural greeting. Since you're writing to a friend, start with a casual greeting. You can address them by their name or use a nickname. The greeting can reflect your excitement or joy. For example, consider using the following greetings:
- Hello, Dương!
- Hi Tùng,
- Dear Dương,
- My dear Tùng,
Write the content of the letter
Confirm the recipient. After completing the greeting, write one or two lines to greet your friend before transitioning into the main content of the letter. Consider this greeting as a way to initiate a conversation between the two of you. Here are some simple opening phrases for a friendly letter:
- "I hope this letter finds you well."
- "Thanks for the last letter you sent me."
- "I know it’s been a long time since I last wrote to you."
- "There’s so much I want to share with you!"
Write the main points of the letter. Share any information you want your friend to know. For example, describe your recent trip or explain how life has been for you lately. While you could write countless things, remember to break them up into smaller paragraphs to make it easier for your friend to keep up with the letter.
- For example, you might write 2 or 3 paragraphs about your recent spring vacation. Then, write one paragraph about what you did afterward.
- If you're unsure what to write, keep it short and simple. For example, tell your friend about a movie you watched or a book you read.
Shift the focus of the conversation to your friend. Once you’ve shared what’s new with you, how you’re feeling, or what you want your friend to know, it’s time to respond to something they wrote in their last letter. This helps ensure the letter feels like an ongoing conversation.
- If it’s been a while since your friend wrote to you, acknowledge the gap and express concern about their well-being. You might ask if they are okay.
- For example, you could write, "The last time you wrote to me, you mentioned you weren’t feeling well. Have you seen a doctor? Are you feeling better?"
Tip: You can comment on something your friend mentioned in their letter. For example, you could say, "I can’t believe you graduated so early! I think you should accept that job offer and move closer to me!"
Ask questions to encourage the conversation. After sharing some information, introduce a new direction to continue the conversation. This is especially important if you need advice from your friend on a particular matter.
- For example, you might write something like, "I think by now you understand what’s going on, so what do you think about me and my family moving to town?"
- If you’re unsure what to ask, keep it general. For example, write, "How have you been lately? Do you have any news to share?"
Maintain a conversational tone throughout the letter. Use your own letter-writing style and tone. If you like, you can include local expressions, humorous phrases, and mention people you both know.
- The tone of the letter should match what you're writing about. If you're telling a story about a fun vacation, write in an excited tone. However, if you're writing a sympathy letter, make sure the tone reflects empathy and seriousness.
Tip: To check if your tone is conversational, try reading the letter aloud before finishing. While reading, if anything sounds unclear, make adjustments.
Close the letter
Move towards the conclusion of the letter. After sharing all the information you wanted and discussing your friend’s life, it’s time to wrap up the letter. Write a couple of sentences about your friendship and express your desire to keep in touch through letters in the future.
- For example, if you're far away, you might conclude with, "It’s been fun, but it would be even better if you were here. I hope to see you when I get home!"
- If you’re having a disagreement, write, "I know we’ve been having some issues, but I want you to know that I truly appreciate everything we've gone through together."
Write the closing sentence. After the closing sentence, use a comma. Then sign your name or type it beneath the final greeting. For a casual closing, it's better to sign your name by hand instead of typing it. Consider using any of the following phrases:
- Sincerely,
- Love you,
- Best wishes, sending you lots of kisses,
- Your close friend,
- Take care,
- Warmly,
Review the letter. After finishing the letter, relax and then go back to read it to check for grammar and spelling mistakes. If you're short on time, you can type the letter into a text document and use spell-checking software on it.
- You’ll also want to review the overall content to make sure everything you mentioned is clear. Keep in mind that translating your tone into writing isn’t always easy, so make sure what you’ve said is easy to understand and doesn’t come across wrongly.
Write the addresses on the envelope. Write your friend’s name in the center of the envelope. Below that, write their street number and address. Then write the city, district, and postal code below that. Write your own information in the same way in the upper-left corner of the envelope.
- If your friend is living in a different country, make sure to include the country name in the address section.
Attach the correct postage and send the letter. Check how much postage is required to send a letter in your country. Attach the postage stamp to the upper-right corner. Lick or peel the envelope and drop the letter in the mailbox.
- You can drop the letter in your home mailbox. This means you should raise the small red flag on the side of the mailbox so the mail carrier knows there’s mail inside.
- If you’re sending anything else with the letter or if it’s a heavy stack of letters, go to the post office to weigh it before sending.
Tip: To find out the cost of sending mail in your country, search online for "postage fees [country name] send mail."
Advice
- Even if your letter includes some uncomfortable topics, ensure that you maintain a respectful and courteous tone. Unlike spoken words, your friend can read your letter multiple times. What may be unpleasant to write can be more hurtful when read repeatedly by your friend.
- For formal letters, it’s a good idea to draft or practice writing it first. Once you’re satisfied with it, rewrite or type the letter. Use your best writing style and high-quality stationery for the final version.
- If your letter exceeds two pages, consider adding page numbers (e.g., page 1, page 2, page 3) so your friend doesn't get confused if pages are misplaced or out of order.
