How to Write a Friendly Letter

 534 Kipling Avenue
 Boston, Massachusetts 64525

 September 19, 1950

Dear Anne,

In a friendly letter, paragraphs are indented.  If typing the letter, indent five spaces.  The first paragraph usually contains some kind of greeting as well as a reference to the receiver's last letter, telephone call, etc.  For example:

     Salutations!  I trust this letter still finds you doing well.  I was so happy to have received your last letter.  Thanks so much for writing.  How's your dog, Harvey, doing?  Have you taught him any new tricks?

The next paragraph (or paragraphs) should express the purpose of your letter and might contain answers to which the receiver previously asked.  Your letter might also contain information about you, your family, your friends, various activities, and/or any events that have taken place since you wrote last. You may want to place an invitation for a visit here, and you may want to thank the person for something, such as a gift, a kind word, etc.  For example:

 I have something I want to share with you.  We have a kitten!  Her name is Mittens and she sleeps with me at the foot of my bed.  Dad doesn't care much for cats, but Mom and I think she's just darling.  I hold her often and she cuddles around my neck and purrs.  I often play with her and she wants to follow me everywhere I go.

The last paragraph sums up the topic of your letter and asks the reader to reply.

 Aren't pets fun?  I just love my kitty.  I'm looking forward to your next letter.

 Sincerely,

[Sign your name underneath]

Especially when typing, but even when writing it is a good practice to have margins of at least 1/2 inch on all four sides of your letter: top, bottom, right, and left.  The following is a sample of a real friendly letter:

 Tianjin Foreign Languages High School
 11 Nankou Lu, Hebei District
 Tianjin  300230
 PR China

 June 3, 2002

Dear Dad,

 How are you?  I trust you are well.  Are you putting in a garden this year?
 We seem to be fine here, except for the occasional cold.  I just got over one.  I think it was one of the worst colds I've had in a while.  I'd rather have a cold, though, than have the pukes.
 This past weekend we went to Badaling and climbed the great wall.  It was the second time for me, but the first time for Patrick.  He was so excited.  He waited and waited for that moment of being able to see and finally to stand on that long, stone dragon.  I again looked out from between its turrets across the vast, northern, mountain range.  This time however, I didn't experience the sad, melancholy feelings that I have felt before.  Instead, this time, I longed for the mountains, and to be with the people who live there.  Here and there, small, traditional Chinese homes still dot the hollows of those hills.  In the valleys below stretch fields of wheat, corn, and vegetables mingled with fishponds and herds of sheep and goats.  The mountains have very few trees, as the sides are so steep and rocky.  Cedars struggle for survival there, but the mountains' main garment is a kind of sagebrush.  I guess I'll never get the mountains out of my heart.  No matter where I go or what I do.  I think of them and the people who dwell there.  The Chinese have a saying, "Falling leaves always return to their roots."  I believe my roots are in the mountains, but as of yet, I've had no opportunity to return there. ()