LESSON XX

LETTER WRITING

Study this form and then write it from memory:

NOTE. It is important that pupils have letter form thoroughly learned. This accomplished, they can give special attention to the structure of the letter itself.

LETTER WRITING

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Letter Forms. The position of the date, the manner of address, and the closing are regulated in general by custom. These forms should be carefully observed, as any neglect or disregard of them shows ignorance or carelessness on the part of the writer.

A letter should be so placed on the page as to present a neat appearance. If it fills the page, it should begin about an inch and a half from the top. If it occupies only a few lines, it should begin lower down, so that it will appear in the middle of the page.

A margin should be left on the left side of each page. The width of this margin may vary from one-quarter to one-half inch, according to the size of the paper.

The salutation of a friendly letter is simply, Dear Friend, Dear Mother, Dear Charles, as the case may be; but in writing a formal letter the address of the person to whom the letter is written is placed just above the salutation, as indicated in the form given. The proper forms of salutation are Dear Sir, My dear Madam. The terms of respect at the close may be Yours truly, or Very truly yours.

It is important that capital letters and marks of punctuation be used correctly. Study the forms given for the correct use of capital letters and marks of punctuation in headings, addresses, and conclusions of letters. In the forms given, no punctuation is used on the envelope, except in the case of abbreviations, which are always followed by periods. Punctuation marks were formerly

used on the envelope, but they are now considered un

necessary.

The words mother, brother, friend, and similar names, when used in the salutation, begin with capital letters, but when used in the conclusion are written with small letters. The first word in the term of respect begins with a capital letter..

The address on the envelope should be written plainly. Many letters go astray because of the carelessness of the person who addressed them. It is best to write the name of the state in full, as abbreviations are often confused.

Copy and learn the following forms:

Write headings and conclusions for letters from the following items, arranging and punctuating according to the instructions given.

Address an envelope for each.

1. James Arnold of Madison, Wisconsin, writes to his brother Charles, who is spending the summer at Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota.

2. Harry Adams of Duluth, Minnesota, writes to a former teacher, Mr. R. A. Gilbert of Des Moines, Iowa.

3. Jessie Ames of Portland, Maine, writes to her cousin, Dr. Arthur Davis of 1208 Washington St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

4. Mary A. Williams of 231 Walnut Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio, writes a business letter to Mrs. A. M. Peters of 230 Lincoln St., Chicago, Illinois.

5. Frank A. Vincent of 620 Campbell Street, Louisville, Kentucky, writes to Messrs. Harper and Brothers, Franklin Square, New York.

LESSON XXI

A LETTER

Write a letter to your city or county superintendent, giv-. ing a description of your schoolhouse, observing the following points:

Location of building, size, material of which made, style of architecture, number of rooms, with information regard