Personal Letter writing tips

Personal letters express your own ideas, so you generally have a far wider choice of content with them than you do with business letters. However, an effective personal letter must still be clearly organized and carefully thought out. The following tips should make your task easier.

Tips for Writing Great Personal Letters

Even though personal letters are not as formal as business letters, they contain the same elements: heading, salutation, body, closing, signature.

Reread any recent letters you received from the person to whom you are writing. This will help you answer the person's questions and include items of interest to the reader.

Use vivid sensory impressions. Also include figures of speech, such as similes and metaphors.

Dialogue makes your writing more specific and interesting, too.

Never assume that your reader knows everyone in your life. Identify all unfamiliar people and places you mention.

Check your grammar and usage carefully. Even though your letter is informal, you want to get it right and prevent misunderstandings.

Reread for errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and logic.

Make your letter easy to read by typing or writing clearly.

Try to end your letter on a positive note. Avoid lame endings like, ‘Well, that's all I have to say’ or ‘It's late so I'll end this letter.’

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