Easy to recognize

Have a predictable format› Date of writing

› Salutation

› A message

› Closing

› Signature

Personal letters, thank-you notes, email, text messages, business letters, letters to the editor, and letters of appeal

Address the reader and establishes a

relationship between the writer and the

reader

The genre that comes closest to

conversation between people

Engages the reader in an ongoing

interaction, often calling for a response

Allows the writer to “speak” directly to

someone without being interrupted

Once you’ve sent the letter, you can’t

take your words back.

The most personal and intimate form of

writing