How to Write a Letter to Your Dad

Sometimes a hand-written letter is more appropriate than an email or phone call.

Writing a letter to your dad can be a great way to keep in touch, update him on your recent activities and show an active interest in his life. Keeping up with family members through letters is sometimes a preferred method to calling of emailing them. Letter-writing can be an easier way to go into greater detail about certain events, giving you more time to choose your words and express yourself clearly.

Instructions

1. Take time to think about what has changed in your life. Think about which recent events are most interesting for your dad to hear about; preferably update him on things you've talked about before, to express a feeling of continuity and progression in your life. If you prefer, write down a list of different topics you'd like to cover in the letter to assist you in logically linking them together to improve the letter's logical flow.

2. Consider what your dad has been doing. It's always nice to ask questions in a letter, so it's worth asking about how you dad's interests and hobbies are going. If you and your dad often talk about friends, it's a good idea to ask him how his friends are doing. If it helps you stay organized, brainstorm about your dad's day-to-day life and the sort of topics he's interested in talking about.

3. Choose the style and tone of the letter. Decide whether you'd like the letter's tone to be light-hearted and humorous, or more formal and serious. This often varies based on the relationship you have with you dad.

4. Write the letter. If preferred, compose a handwritten letter rather than an email; some people prefer this, as it can make the correspondence feel more personal and unique.

References

• English Plus: Friendly or Personal Letters
• Jan Brett: Tips for Writing a Friendly Letter