When do I need to write one?

To let someone know (s)he has been important to you in some way

• Gifts

• Act of Kindness

• Interview opportunity

• Guest of someone

Each time someone writes a letter of recommendation for you

Search your conscience now!

After an interview – creates a positive impression and can follow up on information you may want to add

After being a guest in someone’s home or on a vacation or for some other significant event

For gifts given to you on special occasions like graduation

Receiving thank-you notes makes people feel good.

And it lets them know that the gift arrived safely and is appreciated.

• Remember: Be sincere and write promptly. • Write from the heart. • Use expressions that are natural to you. • Keep it brief and to the point. • Don't forget to include the date. • Do your best to write legibly. • In thank-you notes, be appreciative and … • … say something specific about the gift. • Note life events with personal letters. • Above all, be gracious. -- From Peggy Post, Etiquette, 17th edition

• Blank note cards or good writing

paper

• Blue or black pens

• Stamps

• Addresses

• Sample thank you

• Outline of parts

Even if your handwriting is poor, you must still hand-write your notes.

Do not type them or rely on Hallmark, or, worse, use a word processor.

Reviewing the Thank You Note

Jot down the format as we go.

You will be writing a thank you note that demonstrates your mastery of this format.

OUTLINE

Title

• Thank you note do’s

1.Use Tasteful, Simple Stationery

Organization

2.

Wednesday, May 10

2. Date the letter May 12, 2012

3. GREET THE GIVER

Salutation

3.

• Dale Carnegie (noted for the Dale Carnegie

Institute – teaching successful business practices) taught us people love to hear their own names.

Dear Mom, Dear Aunt Jean,

Dear Mr. Pruett,

3. Greet the Giver - Salutation

May 12, 2012

Dear Mr. Machiniak,

4.EXPRESS GRATITUDE

First Sentence!

4.

• Thank you so much for writing a letter of recommendation

for me.

• Thank you for the lovely picture frame you gave me.

4. Express your gratitude

• Thank you for the bedding for my dorm room.

• Thank you for including me in your family vacation.

• Thank you for the time you spent helping me write the college admission essay.

• Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the lifeguard position.

4. Express Your Gratitude

May 12, 2012

Dear Mr. Machiniak,

Thank you so much for taking time to write a letter of recommendation for me.

Warning-proceed with caution

the just writing trap

• You are not ‘just writing to say’ as in I am just writing to say; that’s stating the obvious.

• If the giver is reading, clearly you have already written.

$$$$ requires a different approach

What about cash or checks?

• If the gift was cash, allude to how you will use the money, but do not itemize your planned purchases line by line, instead simply say:

It will be a great help when I purchase the things I will need for my apartment.

NEVER MENTION DOLLAR

AMOUNTS OR MONEY

• Thank you for your generosity.

• Thank you so much for your kindness.

All Cash Denominations become

• ‘your generosity’ or ‘your kindness.’

5. DISCUSS USE

Thank you letter

• I have applied for three scholarships, and your

letter was an integral part of the application process.

• I really like the color of the towels you sent me for graduation, and I like how they match my dorm colors.

Discuss Use

May 12, 2012

Dear Mr. Machiniak,

Thank you so much for taking time to write a letter of recommendation for me. The letter is an important part of my application, and without it I could not apply to the Michigan State University.

Make the connection

6.

• It was great to see you at my graduation

party, and I hope to see you at our traditional family Thanksgiving.

• It was a pleasure being in your class, and I hope to see you after graduation.

Hints

• Why did the person give you the gift, interview, letter, invitation?

• Let the giver know how (s)he fits into the fabric of your life.

Mention the Past, Allude to the Future

May 12, 2012

Dear Mr. Machiniak,

Thank you so much for taking time to write a letter of recommendation for me. The letter is an important part of my application, and without it I could not apply to Michigan State University.

You have always been a thoughtful administrator and taking time from your busy schedule to write a letter for me reminds me why you are respected by so many students. I know I will always remember our great lunch room chats.

7. GRACE

One more time!

• So say it.

7.

• Thanks again for the gift.

• Thanks again for your generosity.

• Again, I appreciate you kindness.

7. Grace

May 12, 2012

Dear Mr. Machiniak,

Thank you so much for taking time to write a letter of recommendation for me. The letter is an important part of my application, and without it I could not apply to Michigan State University.

You have always been a thoughtful administrator and taking time from your busy schedule to write a letter for me reminds me why you are respected by so many students. I know I will always remember our great lunch room chats.

Thank you so much for all you do for the students at Buchanan High School.

You are almost finished!

8.

• Use whatever works for you:

– Love,

– Yours truly,

– With love,

– Sincerely, HINT: Remember to capitalize only the first word in the complimentary

closing.

• Simply wrap it up.

• Then sign your name and you’re finished.

Regards and signature

May 12, 2012

Dear Mr. Machiniak,

Thank you so much for taking time to write a letter of

recommendation for me. The letter is an important part of my

application, and without it I could not apply to Michigan State

University.

You have always been a thoughtful administrator and taking time

from your busy schedule to write a letter for me reminds me why you

are respected by so many students. I know I will always remember

our great lunch room chats.

Thank you so much for all you do for the students at Buchanan

High School.

Sincerely,

Sandra

What’s Not There

.

Any news about your life

News about a job, a hot girlfriend, or number of awards you got at honors convocation.

The thank-you is exclusively about thanking somebody for their kindness.

Check your notes

• Tasteful Stationery

• Date

• Salutation

• Express gratitude

• Discuss use

• Mention the past/allude to the future

• Thanks again

• Closing

• Signature

You’re FINISHED!

Establish a rule for yourself

– Never use the item or spend the money until you have written a thank you note

– Do not send the application out until you have written the thank you letters

Now it is your turn – Due Wednesday, May 8

You will be writing a thank you to a staff member

• Think of a staff member: coach, teacher, custodian, administrator – past is fine

• Think of something thing that person did for you.

• Write a thank you letter including all the necessary parts.

• See your instructor for stationery or use your own.

Warning

• Type or write your rough draft first. DUE MAY 7 -

• The letter should be without errors to best represent you!

• Hand written is required!

Now it is your turn

• Write a thank you letter to a staff member at Buchanan High School.

• Include the recommended parts.

• The letter will be given to the staff member following teacher appreciation week.

1. Date

2. Greeting,

3. Express gratitude

4. Discuss use

5. Mention the past and allude to the future

6. Grace – thanks again

7. Regards,

8. Signature

Recap

• Due ROUGH DRAFT May 7

• Stationery will be given after we see rough draft

• Due POLISHED LETTER May 9

• Rough Draft- 100 pts

• Final draft (not sealed for credit-100 pts