The 9 parts of a letter

In recent times, the habit of writing and sending letters is being lost, which are gradually replaced by other means such as messages by email or through apps like WhatsApp.

However, knowing how to write a letter is essential, since even today it can be required in different areas or by people or in situations in which we do not have access to this type of technology, or even as a method to get a message to someone in a way that today some might even consider original as it is no longer so common.

Therefore, throughout this article I present the 9 parts of a letter, that although they are really simple, they must be taken into account in order to write them correctly.

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The letter, missive or epistle

A letter, epistle or missive is conceived as a type of written document through which a subject or entity called the sender transmit a message to a recipient. This document can be prepared for various purposes and for very different types of recipients, both individuals and specific organizations and groups.

The process of preparing and delivering a letter to its recipient previously required paper and ink in order to write them, an envelope that contain while hiding its content from outside eyes so that only the recipient could know its content and a period of time more or less extensive in which the document was transported from the sender's hands to the addressee, generally through the use of the services of post. However, nowadays the process has been greatly simplified thanks to the use of the Internet.

The 9 parts that we can find in a letter

While the media may have changed, the basic structure of the letter it has not undergone great variations over time. We can find a total of 9 parts in its elaboration, which can increase if we write new information in postscript form (usually located at the bottom left, below the firm).

1. Letterhead or information regarding the sender

It is understood by letterhead the sender's or sender's own information of the letter in question. His identity, his address and possible contact information such as telephone number and email are the main data that should appear in this section.

Letterhead is usually located in one of the corners at the top of the document, usually in the upper left corner.

2. Recipient or information regarding it

In this section the information is written referring to the person to whom the letter is intended. In this way, the recipient of the document can check whether or not he is the recipient of the letter.

The name of the recipient and his address are the main issues that should appear. In the event that a specific person is written within an organization, it is also necessary to mention the position of the person in question and the company or group to which he belongs.

It is usually placed in a position below the letterhead, although in this case it is usually put to the right.

3. Place and date from which the letter is sent

Another important element of the letter, which is usually located to the right of the page, below the recipient. The date indicates when the letter was written, which may be important if we have in mind Note that the moment in which it is received can vary enormously depending on the circumstances.

4. Header or salutation

Is about a little line in which you say hello and that he is going to introduce the content of the letter and that in turn is going to mark the tonality and level of formality that is intended to be printed on the message in question.

5. Introduction

In this section we go into the matter of the message. The introduction is intended first of all as a way to initiate contact at the same time as establish the main idea why the document in question is being written.

6. Body

After the introduction, throughout the body of the letter we establish and deepen the reasons that we have led to the letter being sent, transmitting the information that is truly intended to reach the addressee. It is also about the longest part of the letter.

7. conclusion

Once the bulk of the message has been transmitted and as a way to indicate that writing is being finished, a brief paragraph that either summarizes the content and / or general objective of the letter or establishes a way to get in Contact. It is a paragraph that should be brief and not add new information regarding the above.

8. Fired

This part of the letter is a way to end it in a courteous way and without haste, indicating that with it the document is considered finished. It is the counterpart of the header, being also a short phrase that in turn indicates the level of formality that the message has.

9. Signature or name

Located at the end of the letter and generally in one of the lower corners (the corner lower right), the signature terminates the letter while establishing the authenticity of the identity of the sender. Your name and title can also be added in the case of an official letter.