How To

How to Write Your First Letter to a Pen Pal

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(71 Ratings)

Make your first letter to your pen pal shine. This is your chance to make a new friend who could become an important part of your life.

From Quick Guide: Writing a Pen Pal
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Etiquette Books
  • Postage Stamps
  • Envelopes
  • Personalized Stationery
  • Writing Pens
  1. Step 1

    Be friendly and polite.

  2. Step 2

    Keep your tone upbeat.

  3. Step 3

    Share information about yourself that you think others will find interesting.

  4. Step 4

    Tell the person who you are and what you are about.

  5. Step 5

    Include information about your age, education and career.

  6. Step 6

    Mention your favorite hobbies, pets, children or anything else that might unearth a shared interest with in your new friend.

  7. Step 7

    Avoid talking about controversial topics.

  8. Step 8

    Take care not to overwhelm the reader with too much information. Revealing a little bit at a time will pique the reader's interest.

  9. Step 9

    Ask questions of the other person so he or she can respond.

  10. Step 10

    Let your personality show by your choice of words and the descriptions you use.

Tips & Warnings
  • Remember not to share too much too soon. Wait until someone knows you before you air your family problems and secrets.
  • Use careful judgment when deciding how much information to share with a stranger. Always be cautious when it comes to revealing personal information.

Comments  

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 4/19/2008 Do include a recent photograph of yourself; it's nice for your penpal to have a picture of you in their mind when they write to you.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Don't give a pen-pal your home phone number unless you're satisfied that they're not going to get creepy.

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