How to write a Letter of Appreciation



How to write a Letter of Appreciation

From wikiHow

Whether you're writing to someone who went out of their way for you or acknowledging that sweater Grandma gave you for Christmas, people really appreciate thank-you letters. Saying thank you is a powerful form of communication and one that endures in people's memories, so it is definitely worth doing.

Writing a letter of appreciation is not difficult; it requires being prompt, sincere, and thoughtful more than anything else. Here are some suggestions to help you write a great letter of thanks.

1. [pic] Don't delay. Saying thank you to someone should happen soon after the event, gift, or conversation that causes you to feel appreciation for what they've said or done. Etiquette rules require that you observe a three-day rule for sending a thank-you note or letter. However, it's better to say thank you late than to never say it at all, so don't give up on sending a letter of appreciation later if you feel that this is appropriate.

If you're late penning your appreciation, just get on with it. And be sincere!

2. [pic] Think about who you're writing the thank-you for. How well do you know this person? Are you thanking your parents or someone whom you haven't met before? Just how personal should this letter be? Once you have a good idea about how personal this letter is, you'll be able to set the tone accordingly.

3. [pic] Choose a format. Type-written letters are more impersonal; while they may seem more appropriate for business associates or people you don't know that well, don't assume that a hand-written note isn't appropriate. Hand-written notes show that you cared enough to truly personalize your appreciation. Indeed, Mireille Guiliano says that hand writing a personalized thank-you is more effective because it is done less and less, making it stand out more when it you take the time to renew this fading art.

➢ If it's a friend or a relative, always use hand-written letters in preference to typing because they're more personal and represent your sincerity.

4. [pic]Write the letter opening. Most letters start with the greeting "Dear" but you can vary that according to the nature of the letter and the person you're writing it to. If it's a formal letter you may want to use proper names like "Dear Ms. Smith".

5. State what the person did for you and the impact it had on you. If someone did something kind, tell them the effect it had on your day, week etc. If someone sent you money, tell them how you plan to spend it. If you are thanking someone for a gift, write about how you will use it. Little touches like mentioning how a lamp you received from the person matches the color-scheme in your room perfectly and so forth, go a long way here.

➢ Take this opportunity to write about something else you appreciate about the person.

➢ Wish them well. If the person in question is not a relative, you can say that you hope their family is doing well too if this seems appropriate in the context.

6. [pic]End the letter. Choose a closing that reflects how well you know the person. Add hug and kiss symbols if you're close to the letter recipient, as this adds to the affectionate sincerity behind the letter.

7. [pic]Deliver it. Choose the best method for delivering the letter, whether it be in person, by post, or by courier. Finally, one of the most important things to remember is to not raise the fact with the recipient that you have sent it. Once you send gratitude off into the world, it works its own miracles and doesn't need heralding.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download