How to Write an Appreciation Letter

A letter of appreciation also can be refereed to as a thank you letter. It is something that you write to someone who has done something special for you or gone out of their way to show you some kindness, like your grandmother or a special friend or co-worker.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Pens
• Nice writing paper
• Envelope
• Stamp

1. Consider your audience. Who is it you are writing for and how well do you know them? Are you thanking your parents or someone who haven't met before? Just how personal should this letter be?
2. Choose a format. Type-written letters are more impersonal, but appropriate for business associates or people you don't know that well. Hand-written note cards are good if it's a friend or a relative.
3. Start writing. Most letters start with the greeting "Dear" but you can vary that according to the nature of the letter. If it's a formal letter you may want to use proper names like "Dear Ms. Smith".
4. In the first paragraph, state what the person did for you and the impact it had on you. If someone did something kind, tell them the effect it had on your day, week etc. If someone sent you money, tell them how you plan to spend it. If you are thanking someone for a gift, write about how you will use it. Little touches like mentioning how a lamp you got match the color-scheme in your room etc. go a long way here.
5. In the next paragraph, take this opportunity to write about something else you appreciate about the person.
6. In the next paragraph, Wish them well. If it's not a relative you can say that you hope their family is doing well too.
7. In the last paragraph, if you are writing to thank someone for a favor, tell the person to let you know if there's any way you can repay their kindness in the future. At this point, you can restate your pleasure in the gift or service you received.
8. Close the letter. Choose a closing that is appropriate for how well you know the person.

Tips & Warnings

• In this day and age of the computer, it is proper to send a note via email. It is not as impersonable as it would have been many years ago.
• A gracious letter is a work of art not just a form of communication.
• If you choose to use notecards, the notecard doesn't necessarily have to say thank-you on it. Card shops and discount stores sell many kinds of stationary with initials, drawings and patterns on them.
• Be sincere, but don't be over the top.
• Proof-read. Print out the letter and look at it. Sometimes, it even helps to read it outloud. Then go back and make the necessary changes. Even the best writer doesn't get it right the first time.
• When sending a letter, bad spelling, grammar, capitalization and punctuation are not an option. Do not rely solely on Microsoft spell-check or the Paperclip in the corner of your screen. If in doubt, check with Webster (dictionary).