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Writing letters
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You will probably use email more than letters to communicate, but if you need to send letters it is worth remembering a few key points:
- Unless specifically requested, letters should be word processed, not hand written.
- Letters are more formal than emails and need to follow accepted guidelines.
- Your address is right aligned at the top of the page.
- Align everything else to the left margin, don't indent paragraphs.
- Leave one line between the date and the address of the person to whom you are sending the letter and between each paragraph. Leave at least two lines between the end of address and 'Dear...' Leave five lines between 'Yours sincerely' and your name, if there is enough space.
- Always leave one space after a full stop, and also after a colon. Leave one space after a comma, semi-colon and other punctuation.
- A simple approach to a covering letter is a 3 paragraph approach.
- Why are you writing – 1st paragraph
- What do you want to say – 2nd paragraph
- When will something happen next – 3rd paragraph
- This will give a structure to your letter and make it clear and easy to understand. A heading will also help the reader to see straightaway what the letter is about.
- Remember not to start each paragraph with 'I'.
- Click here to see some example letters.
