How to Write a Letter in the 7th Grade

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Letter writing in the seventh grade is a standard curriculum component included in the North American school system for language arts studies. Letter writing requires seventh-grade students to engage in reflective, persuasive and responsive thinking. There are many types of letters, such as thank yous, requests, applications, responses, greetings and recommendations. All letters have a shared format regardless of their purpose, message or tone.

  • Blue or black ink pen and white lined paper, or a word processor and printer

1 Write the letter

Write the letter using a piece of white paper and a blue or black ink pen, or type the letter using a word processor and then print it.

2 Write the full date

Write the full date at the top left-hand side of a blank page of the letter.

3 Leave two blank lines

Leave two blank lines. Write your full name and full address on separate single-spaced lines.

4 Leave two blank lines

Leave two blank lines. Write the full name of the addressee followed by his full address on separate single-spaced lines.

5 Leave two blank lines

Leave two blank lines. Begin the letter with a salutation; "Dear" or "Hello" are common salutations. Follow with the first name of the addressee, or if you do not know the person well, use Mrs./Ms./Mr. and the last name of the addressee.

6 Leave one blank line

Leave one blank line. Greet the addressee, then state the main reason(s) for the letter in an introductory sentence.

7 Leave one blank line

Leave one blank line. Write in full detail the messages you would like to convey. This is called the body of the letter. Leave a blank line between each paragraph of the body.

8 Write the concluding sentence

Write the concluding sentence. Thank the reader for his time and attention and tell him you hope to hear from him soon regarding the messages relayed in the body of the letter.

9 Leave two blank lines

Leave two blank lines. Close the letter with "Sincerely," "Love," or "Best," depending on your relationship with the recipient. Leave four blank lines. Sign your name in cursive handwriting.

10 Fold the letter

Fold the letter and put it in to an envelope. Address the envelope by writing the name and address of the addressee on the center of the front of the envelope. On the upper left-hand side of the front of the envelope, write the your name and mailing address. Place a postage stamp on the upper right-hand corner of the envelope.

  • Letters that have excessive spelling or grammar mistakes may not be taken very seriously.
  • Unsigned letters can be considered rude.
  • Some letters are very short while other letters can be multiple pages. Always leave one blank line between every paragraph.
  • Formal letters may require more than one draft for proofreading purposes.
  • Informal letters and envelopes addressed to friends or relatives can be decorated with stickers and drawings so long as the illustrations do not obscure the message, addresses or postage stamp.

Jen Randall has been a writer and editor since 2004. She has worked as a newspaper reporter, academic editor, freelance blogger and ghostwriter, covering education, art and design, fashion, culture and society. Randall earned her Bachelor of Arts in comparative history from the University of Washington.

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