How to Write A Friendly Letter: Start with the “Heading”

1. How to Write A Friendly Letter: Start with the “Heading” Translation: Put the items below in the Upper RIGHT corner: Line #1 = your street address LINE #2 = your town state and zip code LINE #3= the date For example: HEADING 7777 Skyhawk Drive Jefferson, NJ 07849 September 25, 2010

2. Salutation • Next You need a salutation such as the following, followed by a comma: • Dear Mrs. Buccino, This is how you say a polite hello in a friendly letter

3. Introductory Paragraph • Find an interesting way to start your letter. • Hello. My name is John Smith and I am in your Period 7 Reading and Writing Class is Boring!!!!!!

4. So What choices Do you Have • You could begin with an anecdote, which is a story that illustrates a points that is relevant to your topic. • Here is an example: The teacher was giving stickers to students for reading their books. For each book they read, they would get another sticker. But, why? Reading itself should be the reward because reading is a gift already. ***adapted from Nancy Atwell’s Lessons that Change Writers

5. Anecdotal Introduction Sample (relevant to your friendly letter) • I will never forget the day I first walk through the doors of my English classroom and the teacher stared at us without any expression and said “Fidem Meum Obligo…….” And now, her I am the teacher and I know you are full of questions. Will I be nice? Will I be fair. So, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mrs. Buccino and I am ecstatic to be your Reading and Writing teacher this year! In fact, I would like to share a few unique aspects of who I am with you so you feel like you know me better as a person. Specifically, I want you to know how important songwriting and community service are to me. (This is a two point thesis)

6. An Alternative Creative Introduction Strategy #2….Declare or preview what you will say in an interesting fashion (use juicy words) • Slick like a tiger with the keen sense of observance few possess, I am not a student you can easily forget. Indeed, even if when you may think I am not listening, never allow yourself to be fooled-I hear and I am affected by everything you say and do. My name is John Smith and I think it is high time you get to know me, Mrs. Buccino. In short, I would like you that I am a very unique person, particularly because of my passion for Karate and my career goal of being an award-winning electrical engineer. • Notice how even though the start is original, the 2 main points of the letter are mapped out in a thesis.

7. Your Thesis The sentence that outlines the main points you will write about in a piece of writing is called a Thesis and you should place at the end of your FIRST paragraph.

8. The Function of a Thesis The two theses presented so far were: • Specifically, I want you to know how important songwriting and community service are to me. • In short, I would like you that I am a very unique person, particularly because of my passion for Karate and my career goal of being an award winning electrical engineer. The goal of each thesis is the same- to inform your reader about what he or she will be reading. Think of it a writing preview like a “trailer” previews a movie.

9. Then you will write two body paragraphs, but what must they contain? Each body paragraph must start with A transitional phrase that begins a topic sentence For Example: The first aspect of who I am that I think makes me unique is my love of Microscopic organism. (for a paragraph about someone who really loves these organisms.) Note: NOT Mrs. Buccino

10. Body Paragraph components (each must have) • A Transition plus a Topic Sentence • Support Point #1 • Support Point #2 • Support Point #3 • A Concluding statement that summarizes paragraph and starts with a conclusive transition Here is an example of a concluding body paragraph statement: All in all, it is fair to say that my love of microscopic organisms is an enormous obsession of mine and a huge part of what makes me unique.

11. The Concluding Paragraph • Your job in the last paragraph is to sum up the points you made but use fresh words to do so. • Start with a summarizing phrase such as: In sum, In conclusion, To conclude, To summarize, All in all, etc…

12. Your Concluding paragraph should contain 1) A summarizing transition 2) A summary of the basic points made but put in a fresh way 3) A clincher- effective and catchy words to bring the whole piece of writing together For example: Now that you know me on a deeper level, I am sure you won’t be surprised if I come in one day with my arms all wrapped up in tin foil just to make the class laugh!

13. The very end of your friendly letter • You must end with words of farewell (a Closing) followed by your Signature (your name) For example: Very Truly Yours, Tobias Round

14. When you are all done • Check for clarity • Check for transitions • Check for spelling • Check for grammar • Check for punctuation • Have someone else check for you as well • Put it down for at least ½ hour and then READ IT AGAIN • REMEMBER: FRESH EYES CATCH NEW THINGS!!!