Our Post - What's it all about?
Home > Primary School Education Resources > Australia Post > Our Post - What's it all about? > Student Content - It's time to write a letter!
It's time to write a letter!
Getting down to business - business letters
Business letters are formal letters. You might write to a company or organisation to request information for a school assignment, make a suggestion about their products, ask a general question, or perhaps even apply for a job.
Tips for writing business letters
- Include your address if you would like a reply - and don't forget the date!
- Address your letter to Dear Sir / Madam if you do not have the person's name, because you do not know whether you are writing to a male or a female.
- Include a title or heading line that tells your reader what your letter is about.
- Keep your letter clear, simple and to the point.
- "Yours faithfully" is a polite way of finishing a business letter to someone you don't know (ie Dear Sir / Madam). If you know the person's name, "Yours sincerely" is appropriate.
- Always keep a copy of the letter as a record of having sent it.
It's personal - personal letters
Personal letters are for family and friends and are more like conversations. You can thank someone, congratulate them, pass on interesting information, describe what has been happening, or tell funny stories. The great thing about a letter is that you can read it over and over again!
What to write about in a personal letter
Think about what the person you are writing to might like to read about. You could tell them about some of the following things:
- Family birthdays, special events, trips and big achievements.
- New pets and their antics, visits from friends, or, what about that cool new DVD, computer game or CD you have just bought or been given?
- News from school - your fantastic teacher, camps you have been on, or special visitors.
- Your favourite TV show, movie or song.
- What has been happening in your street, town or city.
Then ask the person you are writing to about what they have been doing and what has been happening in their life.
Remember to use a standard-size envelope to make sure your letter is delivered quickly and cheaply - no fancy, oversized envelopes please!
Letter writing is fun!
Who said that the paper you write your personal letter on has to be plain and rectangular? You can buy special paper in different colours and interesting designs. Why not be adventurous and also try a couple of these ideas?
- Write your letter on coloured paper.
- Design your own letterhead using a photograph, little pictures or bright colours using your favourite pens.
- Cut out a triangle or any other shape and write your letter inside that shape.
- Write a letter using a cut-out of your favourite cartoon character.
- Have you heard of a message in a bottle? Send a message on a bottle shape!
- Write and fold a group concertina letter, with a message from a different person on each panel.
- Create a pop-up card or letter.
Write your letter on-line!
Australia Post has developed a "Letter Writing Interactive" which is available on the Australia Post website: auspost.com.au/education
Click on the "Letter Writing Interactive" button to find it.
You can write a business letter or a personal letter on-line. There are lots of hints on how to write your letters if you get stuck. There are also tips on addressing your envelope.
When you have finished typing your letter, press the print button to print off your letter. You will then be ready to address an envelope, put a stamp on it, seal your letter and send it on its way!
Why not check out the "Letter writing interactive".