Friendly letters vs. Business letters What is the difference?

The difference between business and friendly letters. The difference between business letters and friendly letters are that business letters are formal, serious, and they are typed. When friendly letters are the opposite in the ways like they are not formal, they don’t need to be serious, and they don’t need to be typed. The reason why business letters are more appropriate for a nomination, complaint, or  job application. The reason is it makes the reader think that you are more serious about the subject. Another reason why you might use the business format is anytime that it needs to be serious like writing for getting a recommendation or scholarships. Friendly letters are mostly for getting to know someone in a more friendly matter. Unlike business letters, they are for getting to know your skills, weakness, and strengths. So the differences between business letters and friendly letters are that business letters are strictly business and friendly letters are for pleasure not business.

Parts of the Informal or Friendly Letter Heading: return address and date Greeting: “Dear” followed by the name of the person, followed by a comma , example: Dear Franklin, Body: Information you wish to tell or ask the other person. Complimentary Closing: “Affectionately,” “Love,” “Yours truly,” followed by a comma Signature: hand written

About a friendly letter A friendly letter does not have to be typed, it can be hand written. When typed can be in fun interesting fonts, colors, and sizes. They do not have to be serious. They use a friendly tone. They can be to friends, family, or strangers that you wish to convey a message to. Before sending, emailing, or giving a letter you should always check grammar and spelling. (Although slang and texting lingo may be appropriate for a friendly letter.)

Parts of the Formal or Business Letter Heading: return address and date Inside address: address of the person or agency to whom/which the letter is addressed Greeting: “Dear Madam:” “Gentlemen:” “Dear Mrs. Brown:” followed by a colon : Body: This is important information that the recipient needs to know Complimentary Closing: “Thank you for your time,” “Respectfully yours,” followed by a comma Signature: Allow four blank lines after the complimentary closing and type the name of the letter writer. Hand sign the letter above the typed signature.

About a professional / business letter A professional letter needs to be typed. Needs to be typed in a professional looking font, black ink, and 12-14 font. They do need to be serious. They use a serious professional tone. Slang and texting lingo is not appropriate for a business/ professional letter. Before sending, emailing, or giving a letter you should always check grammar and spelling.

Other useful information Why should you hand sign a letter? Don't forget to sign your name at the close of your letter. A potential employer might interpret a typed name with no signature as carelessness. Also, your signature personalizes your letter and tells the reader the letter is actually from you. Don't use a script font or a draw program on your computer. Always sign your name neatly in blue or black ink. What does P.S. mean? http://www.wisegeek.org/in-a-letter-what-does-ps-mean.htm

Your Assignments: 1 – Finish the worksheet about friendly and business letters. Due at the end of the hour. 2- Write a friendly letter according to the prompt on the next page. Due at the end of the hour Tuesday. 3- Write a business letter according to the following prompt. Due at the end of the hour Wednesday.

Assignment 2 Write a friendly letter You must correctly use the format for writing a friendly letter = 20pts Prompt: = 10pts Write a friendly letter to someone at this school to encourage them or to thank them for what they do. This can be to a teacher, to Mrs. Brenda, to the cooks, a janitor, Mr. Greene, or another student. (However, if you write a letter to another student – DO NOT write a letter to your friends. Write a letter to a student that you think needs some encouragement and kind words.) You can write a letter to a student who has moved – I will try to obtain an address to send your letter. The body must be at least 1 paragraph in length. Although friendly letters do not have to be in black in only, if you print at school try to keep it to one page black ink only. - You can hand write this letter. Due end of the hour Thursday (If we are not at school Thursday it is due at the end of the hour the day we return.)

Friendly letter Heading : This includes the address, line by line, with the last line being the date.   Yours should say: Mansfield Middle School 306 W Ohio Street Mansfield, MO 65704 2/3/15   Greeting/Salutation Dear ________, Body  This is the main text, which includes the message written. The tone is friendly and often includes news, information, and invitations.   For this letter you will need to encourage or thank someone for what they do. Closing: This short expression is always a few words on a single line. It begins with a capital letter. It ends in a comma. Examples: Your friend, Your new friend, Sincerely, Thank you for writing, Please write back,   Signature Line: There is a typed and printed name added here.   Editing :When you are done go back and make sure that your letter makes sense and words are spelled correctly. Check capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.   Use a dictionary if you need to.   When you are done double check for mistakes, turn into your tray, and then read you’re a book until the bell rings. This is worth 30 points. It is due at the end of the hour Tuesday

Assignment 3 Write a business letter You must correctly use the format for writing a business letter = 20pts Prompt: = 10pts Write a letter to Mr. Greene on something you would like to see changed in the school policy. You will have to explain why you want this change and how it would benefit students. Examples: Adding a snack machine, bringing back the goodie cart, having cell phones between classes, adding another sport, or something you would like to see changed. The body must be at least 1 paragraph in length. If you print at school try to keep it to one page, black ink only. Due end of the hour Wednesday

Business/Professional letter Heading : This includes the address, line by line, with the last line being the date.   Yours should say: Mansfield Middle School 306 W Ohio Street Mansfield, MO 65704 12/4/12   Greeting/Salutation Mr. Greene: or Mansfield School Board: Body: This is the main text, which includes the message written. The tone is friendly and often includes news, information, and invitations.   For this letter you will need to express what class you would like to add and why. Also, how it will benefit students to have this class.   Closing: This short expression is always a few words on a single line. It begins with a capital letter. It ends in a comma. Examples: Thank you for your time, Awaiting your response, Thank you,   Signature Line: There is a typed and printed name added here.   Editing :When you are done go back and make sure that your letter makes sense and words are spelled correctly. Check capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.   Use a dictionary if you need to.   When you are done double check for mistakes, turn into your tray, and then read your RPR book until the bell rings. This is worth 30 points. It is due at the end of the hour Wednesday.

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