A Brief Description of Writing Personal Letters

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A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WRITING PERSONAL ENGLISH

LETTERS

PAPER

BY

NAME

:

SULISTIA NINGSIH

REG. NO :

072202017

DIPLOMA III ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM

FACULTY OF LETTERS

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH SUMATERA

MEDAN

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Approved by

Supervisor

Dr. Syahron Lubis M.A.

NIP. 195110131976031001

Submitted to Faculty of Letters, University of Sumatera Utara

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for DIPLOMA III ( D-III ) in English.

Approved by

Head of Program Study

Dra. Syahyar Hanum, DPFE

NIP. 195109071979022001

Approved by the Diploma III of English Study Program, Faculty of Letters, University of Sumatera Utara as a paper for the Diploma III (D-III) examination.

Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the D-III Examination of Diploma III English Study Program, Faculty of Letters,

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The examination is held on

Faculty of Letters, University of Sumatera Utara

Dean,

Prof. Syaifuddin, M.A., Ph.D

NIP. 196509091994031004

Board of Examiner and Reader

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AUTHOR’S DECLARATION

I, SULISTIA NINGSIH, declare that I am the sole author of this paper. Except where reference is made in the text of this paper, this paper contains no material

published elsewhere or extracted in whole or in part from a paper by paper which I have qualified for or awarded another degree.

No other person’s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the main text of the paper. This paper has not been submitted for the award of another degree in any tertiary education.

Signed :

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COPYRIGHT DECLARATION

Name : SULISTIA NINGSIH

Title of Paper : A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WRITING

PERSONAL ENGLISH LETTER Qualification : D –III / Ahli Madya

Study Program : English

I am willing that my paper should be available for reproduction at the discretion of the Librarian of the Diploma III English Department Faculty of Letters USU on

the understanding the users are made aware of their obligation under law of the Republic of Indonesia.

Signed :

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In the name of Allah SWT, The Beneficient and The Merciful. Praise be to

Allah. Firstly, I would like to thank and praise Allah SWT for blessing and guidance during the process of completing this paper to finish my study in

Diploma III English Study Program, Faculty of Letters, University of Sumatera Utara.

My deep love and special gratitude are to my beloved parents, Suyudi and

Jumiah for teaching me many things-, my beloved sister, Susi Karya Juliati, Susan Triyuli, Suri Fatma Ramadhani; my beloved brother, Suyan Sumantri and Suhendi

Irandi, Lc; and all my relatives who have patiently given me their moral and financial support, advice, love, and prayers so that I could accomplish my study on time.

My sincere thanks are expressed to my supervisor Dr. Syahron Lubis, M.A who has spent his precious time to provide me with guidance and suggestions

during the process of writing this paper, and to Drs.Siamir Marulafau, M.Hum, who acted as my reader.

I also thank the Head of English Diploma Program III, Dra. Syahyar

Hanum, DPFE. the Dean of Faculty of Letters University of Sumatera Utara, Pof. Syaifuddin,MA,Phd. I also would like to express my sincere gratitude to all my

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Then I would like to express my special thanks to my best friend Tri Rodiyah, Rina Agustina, Julia Sianipar, who gave suggestions and supports, to my

loving friends, Mahesa Zulfani, Erniwati, Elviza, Mala, Elan, Masyitah, Dini, Ulan,Maya, Meli, Putri and others and my loving sister Mrs. Friska who always

gives me supports and help when I am in trouble and of course my beloved Reza Aprizar who always accompanies and gives me supports. I do not forget to thank all my classmates of class A and B. Then I am grateful to all my juniors in English

Diploma III, to all the members of SOLIDAS, and those whose names I cannot mention one by one.

Finally, as the writer I would like to admit that this paper may be still far from being perfect, therefore, I open my hands to constructive criticism and suggestions.

Medan, 1 April 2010

The writer

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ABSTRACT

Karya tulis yang berjudul “ A Brief Description of Writing Personal Letters” ini menguraikan tentang cara penulisan surat dalam bentuk tidak formal dalam bahasa Inggris. Surat menyurat merupakan salah satu kegiatan bahasa yang dilakukan dengan interaksi tulis. Dengan demikian kegiatan surat menyurat memiliki peranan sebagai alat komunikasi tertulis yang dirasakan semakin penting dalam kehidupan bermasyarakat dewasa ini. Meski dapat dilihat, perkembangan teknologi yang semakin canggih tidak menenggelamkan fungsi surat khususnya. Melalui surat pribadi ini kita dapat mengungkapkan perasaan kita secara pribadi kepada keluarga, sahabat,seseorang yang disayangi dan lain-lain.

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ABSTRACT

Karya tulis yang berjudul “ A Brief Description of Writing Personal Letters” ini menguraikan tentang cara penulisan surat dalam bentuk tidak formal dalam bahasa Inggris. Surat menyurat merupakan salah satu kegiatan bahasa yang dilakukan dengan interaksi tulis. Dengan demikian kegiatan surat menyurat memiliki peranan sebagai alat komunikasi tertulis yang dirasakan semakin penting dalam kehidupan bermasyarakat dewasa ini. Meski dapat dilihat, perkembangan teknologi yang semakin canggih tidak menenggelamkan fungsi surat khususnya. Melalui surat pribadi ini kita dapat mengungkapkan perasaan kita secara pribadi kepada keluarga, sahabat,seseorang yang disayangi dan lain-lain.

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1. INTRODUCTION

Background of Study

Letters act as media for the exchange of views and opinions, for

transmission of sensitive sentiments and feelings and in short, for the union of heart. Hence, letter-writing has to be developed, bestowing on it one’s skill and thought. It needs clear thinking and correct expression to convey our thought to

others, for the main aim of writing letter is to communicate to others what is in our minds. In this sense, letter writing is not an easy thing. Even a most gifted

person at times may find to pen a satisfying and interesting letter a difficult proposition.

Even in the modern time of television, telephone, radio, email, and such

other means of communications, there is no suitable substitute for an aesthetic letter. Letters help in recreating the joy once experienced whenever one wishes.

Most of the people consider that writing the letters in English is easy. But in practice, writing the letters in English is not as simple as opinions of the people these days.

In fact, writing the letters, of course, it has some writing phases and some other things like ethics which is needed to be paid attention too, in order to get the

perfect letter, especially the personal letter. Personal letters are not the same as the social and business letters. Personal Letters are addressed to relatives, friends, family members, lovers and others. Although, it is informal but we also to learn

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Before writing the letter, it is better to know the function and the aim of the letter. Then, it is continued with how to write the letter well so that the reader

understands the contents or the aim of the letter. Those steps are very important for every one, especially for someone who must express deep feelings to the

people around him. For example, in writing a letter of friendship, a love letter and family correspondence. Therefore, everyone should learn and do some exercises to write the letters in English.

Learning and practicing to write the letters in English are important things, including the writing of personal letter. However, someone should learn writing

the personal English letter, in order to know what the aim of learning to write the English letter by avoiding mistakes, so that the letter is correct.

This paper is written to inform the people about the theory of writing the

English letters and also their examples, so that, they will not get difficulties and confusion when they are writing the letters.

Scope of the study

Based on the topic of the paper it has been focused on the aims, parts,

kinds, usages, examples, and the language used in writing the personal English letters. Its purpose is to limit the explanation about personal English letters, so

that it is not out of the topic.

Objective of Study

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• To know the ways or steps of writing personal English letters

specifically.

• To help people especially students or English learners to

write personal English letters by learning the kinds of letters.

• To inform the people all about personal English letters, so

that they can improve their skill in writing letters in English.

Significance of Study

This paper is expected to be useful for the others. Some significances

could be shown as follows:

• To improve students’ ability in writing personal English letters

• To help English Speaker, especially someone to express their deep

feelings to the people around them.

Method of Study

In writing this paper, the writer did library research by reading some books such as Practical Letter-Writing, Everyday Complete Letter Writing,

Correspondence, which have relations to the topic in order to help the writer finish her work.

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2. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ENGLISH LETTER

Definition of Letter

There are many definitions of Letter. Djuharie (2001 : 11) states

that a letter in general definition is a written means of communication in delivering some information, declaration, or massages to others who have relationship to sender of the letter. Letter has three definitions through the

view of content characteristic, announcement form, and function. The content characteristic of view explains that a letter is an explanation composition,

because the letter writer proposes his/her purpose, explains what he/she thinks and feels about through the letter. From its announcement is point of view, a letter is a written communication from one to another, or from one institute to

another institute. And the point of view its function, a letter is a means of written communication. That communication can be announcement , a

declaration, an explanation or a request.

Barthos (2000:36) states that a letter is a written communication from one to another to inform a report or news. According to Kogon (2006:53)

a letter is a written massage addressed to a person or organization. They also state that a letter is a written or printed communication directed to a person or

organization.

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from one to another. The message of letter can be announcement, declaration, request, report, etc.

Purposes of Writing Letters

There are many purposes of writing letters, they are: a. As a communication instrument .

Communication is a report delivery process from one to another. In this

case, the function of the letter is to deliver some information. The information can be an announcement, declaration, report and other things.

The instrument to deliver this information or news is paper which are written due to the purpose, easy to understand, well arranged, and at last deliver it to another who has necessity to the letter writer. All of these

procedures are called writing a letter whose purpose as a communication instrument. If the letter is replied, so there are two directions of written

communications. And if this activity continually happens, it is called correspondence.

b. As a personal representation.

In this purpose, a letter can represent the letter writer’s desire. It means that a letter has a role as bearer of mission. Because of its purpose as a

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words, the letter writer does not have to get difficultness to meet the recipient of the letter who is probably live far from the writer.

c. As a historical evidence.

Letter is one of the written communications, so it can be saved as

historical evidence. Old archives like Indonesian proclamation document can be as teaching or instructional material for the next generation of Indonesia.

d. As an orientation

A letter has an orientation as doing jobs. If an organization keeps all

letters, that organization does not lose the direction and can study from the last experience. The examples for this purpose are presidential decree, instruction letter, or circular documents. By keeping all letters, the

organization will not lose the direction. e. As a reminder

Letter can save and secure, so that it can be as a reminder if there is error with the message of the letter. By keeping the letter, the organization can be referred to the old letters. It means that old letters which have already

kept can be re-opened to help us finish some problems or jobs. f. As a written evidence

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g. As an instrument for shorter distance, economizing energy and time. The letter writer can send a letter to someone who is not too necessary to

visit because it can save his/her energy and time. In other words, a letter can be as an information deliver media which boundless on distance; by

sending a letter, he/she can economize his/her energy and time without wasting the energy and time because of the long distance.

The General Layout of English Letter

In writing a letter, the writer should know the layout of the letter, so that

the writer can write the letter easily and systematically. An English letter has some parts, but in daily practice, not all the parts are used. It depends on the kinds of the letter that is being written.

Commonly, an English letter has the following layout: 1. Heading or Letterhead

This part is an identity of sender. If the letter is a personal letter, the heading of the letter is the sender’s address. In a formal or business letter we can also use that. Most of the formal or business letters

consist of the name, address, even phone of the company or organization. In short, content of heading/letterhead depends on the

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2. The date

Date is should be written in a personal letter. However, it is very

important to write the date in formal and business letter, as this is a convenient way of referring to the letter later if it is needed.

3. Recipient’s Address

In personal letter, recipient must be written on the envelope and the paper of the letter. It is needed to anticipate the letter separated from

its envelope. 4. Salutation

Salutation is placed below the recipient address. The word “Dear” is usually used and followed by the nickname of the recipient.

5. The Body of the Letter

This part shows the problem that is being talked in the letter and has function to give information to the reader or recipient about what it is

being talked about. In general, it consists of three or more paragraphs which contain introductory paragraph, main body of letter, and conclusion.

6. The Valediction

It is a respecting expression to the recipient of letter. It is written

above the signature. 7. Signature

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3. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PERSONAL ENGLISH

LETTER

3.1 The Aims of Writing Formal English Letter

In general, as we have discussed in the previous chapter, letter is a written communication from one to another. It is clear that a letter expresses the aim of

the letter writer to the recipient.

In personal letters, the general aims of writing the formal letter are: • To deliver personal information such as : announcement, declaration, etc.

• To represent the letter writer’s desire, any individual or organization.

• To be a reminder. It means that old letters which have already kept can be

re-opened to help them in finishing some problems.

3.2 Parts of Personal Letter

3.2.1 Sender’s Address / Heading

The sender’s address also can be heading of letter by using the name of the organization or company on the top of the letter, and followed by the

complete address. Or cities like London, Manchester, Liverpool, etc) Post Code.

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• 31, West Street

This is written exactly as in a personal letter. Remember, however,

that it is especially important in personal letters to write the date, as this is a convenient way of referring to the letter later if the sender need to.

In England, this would be written as:

It is therefore better to write the date in words to avoid confusion.

3.2.3 Salutation

If the writer knows the name of the person to whom he is writing,

write Dear Mr.Floris, Dear Mrs. Floris, etc. Remember that a personal letter is always written to a person you already know.

• For a friend of your own age, whom you would normally address by given

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• For a brother, sister, or cousin you would also use his or her given name

(christian) name in exactly the same ways as for a friend. We do not in modern English, write ‘Dear Brother’, ‘Dear Sister’. If your brother is

called John, then write ‘Dear John’, and so on.

• For your mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, uncles, and aunts you

write the name of the relationship, because that is the name you use when talking to them. Therefore, we write ‘Dear Mother’, ‘Dear Grandfather’. • For a friend or acquaintance who is much older than you, for example a

friend of your father’s or you school-teacher, you write ‘Mr.’, Mrs.’ or

‘Miss’ plus their family name (surname). If the person is a doctor, a professor, or holds a military rank, then that title will replace the ‘Mr.’, ‘Mrs’ or ‘Miss’. Thus we might write ‘Dear Mr. Rolland’, ‘Dear Professor

Harry’, ‘Dear Doctor George’, ‘Dear Captain Collin’.

• For a particularly close friend or relation you may write ‘My dear’ in place

of ‘Dear’.

3.2.4 The Body of Letter

This should consist of three paragraphs: an introductory paragraph,

the middle paragraph, containing the main body of the letter, and the final, concluding paragraph. The following general principles should be remembered, and may be started here :

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• Start the first paragraph on the next line after the salutation, and about an

inchi in. Example : Dear Mary,

Thank you for your…..

• In a personal letter, the language may be more coloquial than formal essay.

In particular, contracted forms (for example ‘I’m’, ‘you’re’ ) are permitted. However, you must be gramatical and be careful to show clearly the

development of your ideas.

• Be very careful about the last sentences. This should be a complete

gramatical sentences.There is no need to have a special last sentences although, frequently we do finish the letter with some wish, usually using the verb ‘to hope’. Example :

I hope you you have a nice holiday or I hope you get better soon. Then we can write a suitable valediction, as suggested below.

3.2.5 Complimentary Close

The choice of the proper complimentary close depends upon the degree of

the formality of the letter. Among the complimentary closes to choose from are:

• Yours sincerely

• Sincerely yours

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However, the most two common complimentary closes are “Yours faithfully” (used only with Dear Sir/Sirs/Madam) and “Yours sincerely” (used

with personalized salutation; you know the recipient’s name in the salutation).

For example: If you write Dear John : in the salutation, so you should write

Yours sincerely in the complimentary close.

3.2.6 The Signature

The signature of the writer is affixed just below the complimentary close. If you are on very friendly terms with the person you are writing to, and he would

address you by your given name, then you write just your given name here. You write your signature as legibly as possible. If you letter has been

typewritten, you may type your name under the written signature. In any case a

signature written in following longhand, your normal joined handwriting must appear.

3.3 The Language of Personal Letter

Letter as a communication tool must be able to deliver the message

of the letter and make the recipient become interest so that the recipient is not bored and confuse to the content of the letter. In a personal letter, the

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contents of the letter should always be polite and respectful, even if complaining.

3.4 Expressions of Certain Common Feelings in Personal Letter

1. Thanks

Personal letters usually open with thanks for a letter just received. The following are the two most common ways of doing this :

1. If you want to specify the day you received the letter and you should be used past tense

Example :

- Thank you for your delightful letter which I received yesterday. 2. If you do not want to be specific, you use a present perfect.

Example :

- Thank you for your interesting letter which I has just received. 2. Inquires

Letters are often used to make inquiries, maybe the whole purposes of the letter. Inquiries are still almost certain to be made about one or all of this following topics.

a) Health

As you are in regular correspondence with him, you will know, presumably that when you last heard from him he was well or not.

Example : I hope you are still keeping well

b) General Well-being

If you know that your correspondent has been doing well at something, you can put your inquiry this way :

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These may be about virtually anything, and are put as simple direct questions.

Example : What did you do on your holiday?

3. Happiness

You can expressing your happiness about anything, another way of expressing happiness is by means of a simple exclamatory sentences.

Example : I was very glad to hear from your letter which arrived this morning that you have had a new car.

But if you want to use informal sentences you should write : Example : So you are coming to Medan! I am so glad.

4. Sorrow

If you are expressing sorrow for some considerable misfortune, you may write instead ‘distressed’.

Example : What pity you you failed your examination! I was so sorry to hear about it. I do hope you have better luck next time.

5. Condolence

If someone dies and we write to a relative to express our sympathy, we then ‘offer condolence’. Thus a letter of condolence is special type of the letter discussed in the previous section, but you cannot use all the patterns mentioned there.

Condolences are best expressed in sentences like these :

Example : I was so sorry to hear about the death of your father, please accept our condolence.

6. Congratulation

Congratulation are sent to mark your happiness at someone else’s success. Example : Please accept my heartiest congratulations!

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7. Best Wishes

These are sent to a person about to do something in the future. Example : I hope you have a successful career.

8. Apologies

These are formed with ‘apologies’, ‘afraid’ and ‘sorry’. Note that ‘sorry’ Can take after it either a noun clause or the preposition ‘for’, plus a gerund. ‘Afraid’, however, can only take the noun clause construction and‘apologize’ the

prepositional one. Apologies may of course be for many things but the most frequent cause is probably the failure to answer letters promptly enough. Example : - I am sorry that I kept your magazine so long.

- I am afraid that I shall not be able to come to the party tonight. - I must apologies for losing your wallet.

9. Request

It is usual to preface the request itself in some way, particularly if it may cause any real trouble to the person you are asking; apologies for making the request are sometimes added.This additional sentences are not always called for, but they often make a request so much more polite and acceptable.

Example : - I wonder whether you could do something for me? - I hope you do not mind asking you.

- I am sorry to trouble you about this.

10. Invitations

Invitations are often embodied in the normal letter form and then they follow closely the patterns for request.

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3.5. Sample of Personal Letter

3.5.1 Friendly Letter

506 Country Lane North Baysville, CA 53286 December 16, 2004

Dear Susan,

It feels like such a long time since the last time I saw you. I know it's only been several weeks since I saw you. So far my summer has been great!

I spend my all my weekends at the beach. I am getting a nice tan and you can no longer say I am paler than you. I have been playing lots of volleyball, surfing and building a nice collection of sea shells. Just this past weekend I took second place in a sandcastle building contest!

On the weekdays I work. I drive an ice cream truck around and sell ice cream to the kids. It is so cool. It is a combination of the two things I love most, ice cream and kids. The pay isn't too great but I love the job so much.

I hope the summer's been going well for you too. There's only a month and a half

left in summer vacation and after that it's back to school. Would you like to meet up some

time to before school starts?

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3.5.2 Love Letter

1735 Stanton Ave. Richmond, VA 22045 May 15, 2006

My Dear Cheryl,

Loving you is so easy.

There are so many reasons why I love you…

The little things you do, the simple gestures you make, the feelings and thoughts that you share with me. I adore the way you look, the way you move, and your infectious smile.

There are so many things to love about you!

Do you know I love it when you daydream and you think no one is watching?

Do you know I love the way your eyes sparkle when you tell a funny story?

Do you know that I love the shape of your ears?

Do you know I love to watch you sleep?

I could go on and on.

It's important to me that you know that I love you - and how much I love you.

So whatever it is that you are doing, thinking or saying, as you go about your day -- know that I am there with you, loving you.

Much Love,

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3.5.3 Letter of Thanks

The Marsdens 7425 Lansdowne Road Bethesda, MD 20812

January 12, 2008

Dear Fred and Sylvia:

On behalf of the entire Marsden family I would like to thank you for your unflagging support and kind condolences in recent weeks as we mourned the tragic loss of Raymond.

Without wonderful friends like you to spend time with us and help with day to day tasks it would have been much more difficult for us to suffer through this very difficult period. I especially appreciated the numerous meals that you prepared and delivered to us as well as the drives to school you provided for Kirstin and Charlie. You can't imagine what a help this was to Carl and I as we tried to focus on Raymond's funeral arrangements while also having to deal with the media.

As you will understand, it is going to take some time before our family can get back to normal after this senseless tragedy. So, please don't take our lack of contact during this period as any more than us taking the time we need to try to get back to some semblance of a normal life.

Please accept our heartfelt thanks for all that you have done.

Sincerely yours,

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3.5.4 Letter of Apology

Please regard this as a letter of apology for the recent problems that I caused you by moving your belongings in the parking garage without your permission.

Believe me I had no intention of causing you any problems. Over the long weekend I decided to rearrange my space in the garage and install some new shelving on the front wall opposite my parking space. While I was at it I thought I would also tidy up the entire garage. It was during that process that I noticed that your boxes of books were stored, what I thought was, dangerously close to the electric heating element. So, I took the liberty of moving those boxes to the other side of the garage. It didn't occur to me at the time that this would block the entry and exit on the passenger side of your vehicle.

After you brought this to my attention Monday evening I immediately moved your boxes back to where they were stored originally. As you suggested, by stacking them carefully I was able to place them so that there was sufficient safe clearance from the heating

element. I trust you will find everything in order now.

I'm really sorry that I didn't check with you first before moving your belongings. I can now see how it would have upset you to return after the holiday weekend and find your belongings moved for no apparent reason. All I can say is that it won't happen again.

Yours Sincerely,

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3.5.5 Letter of Congratulation

495 West Village Way Suite 975 New York, New York 10023-6825

January 15, 2007

Dear Mavis:

Please accept my heartiest congratulations on your recent selection for inclusion on the short-list for the NY City Writers Prize.

I just heard the news today from Francis Goodspeed when she dropped into my office with the marked up proofs for her latest collection of stories. As you can imagine, Fran was very excited too!

I am so proud of you. As you know, I have been a longtime promoter of your work, and in my mind it's about time they finally recognized your talent. In fact, I believe that your selection for the NYCWP short-list is long overdue.

I have already read two of the other books that are short-listed and in my opinion they don't hold a candle to your "No Turning Back". I will read the other three books nominated and let you know what I think. Although, I could hardly be considered an objective reviewer on this one.

Once again Mavis, my sincere congratulations on your nomination. Just being nominated for the NYCWP is an honor in itself. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you until they announce the winner on March 1st.

Yours Sincerely,

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3.5.6 Letter of Sympathy

895 Don Mills Road, Unit 2735 Toronto, ON M3C 1T5

November 19, 2007

Dear Sabrina,

Please let me express my deepest sympathies to you and the children. I was shocked and shattered when I heard about Frank's horrific accident. I can't even imagine what you have been going through for the past ten days.

As you know, Frank and I have been colleagues and friends for the past eight years. His tragic loss leaves a terrible void in our office. He was so well-liked and respected by everyone who came into contact with him, both colleagues and clients alike. He had tremendous people skills, and as such, was a role model in our company and the industry at large.

I trust that, when they are older, the children will be made aware of what an outstanding person Frank was in his professional life.

Sabrina, please feel free to contact me if I can help in any way while you go through this very difficult period. I will support you in any way that I can should you reach out to me.

Also, please tell the children how terribly devastated all of us are here at the company due too their Father's tragic passing.

Yours Sincerely,

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3.5.7 Letter of Welcome

April 10, 2007

Mr. Peter Lawrence

1350 Carling Ave., Suite 1204 Ottawa, ON, K2P 1P7

Dear Peter Lawrence:

As Administrator for the Mountain Vista Residents Association I would like to welcome you as a new member of our community. As a longtime resident I am sure that you will enjoy living here. Below are some administrative and contact details on the operations of the common facilities.

Administr ation Office

The Administration Office off the main lobby is open weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30. p.m. The phone number is (613) 232-4985.

Health Club

The exercise room and whirlpool are open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., 7 days a week. Squash Cour ts

The two squash courts are accessible during the same hours as the Health Club. Courts must be booked in advance using the sign-up sheet outside the office. A new sign-up sheet is posted at 10:30 a.m. each day to book courts for the following day only. Swimming Pool

The outdoor pool is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; from May 15th to September 30th.

Par ty Room

The party room may be booked for special events through the Administration Office at (613) 232-4985. A $100 damage deposit is required with each booking.

Emer gency

The general emergency number is 911. However, for any building-related emergencies please call the special emergency beeper number at (613) 232-4300 and leave a message. Someone should get back to you within the hour.

At Mountain Vista we take pride in the cooperative and considerate way in which our community operates. We ask you to join us in that spirit of cooperation as you enter this community.

Please feel free to call me at (613) 233-9210 if you have any questions.

Yours Sincerely,

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3.5.8 Letter of Condolence

175A Fairmont Ave. Toronto, ON M5W 1F2

August 18, 2006

Dear Robert:

I am writing to extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family. I was so very sad

to hear about death your father, he was such a wonderful man.

I had the honor and the pleasure to know your father and I was very sorry to hear about his passing away. I had the greatest respect for him and will miss working with him and sharing his remarkable sense of humor.

Please let me know whether there is anything I can do to help during this difficult time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I will light a candle for him tonight.

Very sincerely,

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3.5.9 Letter of Pen-Friend

I got your letter and I was sorry to hear your problems. I have some advice for you and hope it can help.

Firstly, you should try to tell your parents what you want to do. Tell them you are not interested in being a doctor in the future, and tell them you don’t want to decide your future career now. Then, you should promise them you will work hard from now so that you can get a good job in the future.

Secondly, you should tell your teacher the problem you have and see it they can help you. If I were you, I would ask my teacher whether they think Arts or Science subjects are more suitable for me. You know, your teachers may all agree that you should study Arts subjects. Then you can ask them to support you.

Thirdly, if your parents insists that you can only study Science subjects, you must listen to them. If you don’t obey them, they will get angry with you and won’t let you join any activities you like. And you’ll be even more depressed.

Hope my advice can help you. Good luck! If you have any other problems, you can write a letter to me again. I’ll try my best to help you.

Yours Sincerely

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3.5.10 Goodbye Letter

20 B, Kenanga Street Kel.Helvetia Barat

Kec.Medan Helvetia Medan

August 12, 2008

Dear Friends

As a number of you already know I have recently accepted a position with another company and will be leaving at the end of this week. Please consider this to be my sincere goodbye to each and every one of you.

I want you all to know that I am truly leaving here with mixed feelings; happy about my new career opportunity but sad to be leaving such a great company where I have so many wonderful friends and colleagues. The last three years as a member of the SysTek team was the best period of my career so far. I learned a great deal and worked with many people with whom I am sure I will remain friends for a long time. I can only wish that my new job will give me such rewarding experiences and supportive friends.

Thank you so much for making my time at SysTek a truly enjoyable one. I invite any of you who would like to keep in touch, to speak to me before I leave on Friday and I will be happy to give you my new phone and e-mail co-ordinates.

My very best wishes for the future go out to each and every one of you.

Yours sincerely,

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3.6 Discussion

Personal letter is the kind of letter that was made from someone that is addressed

to another person with a specific purpose. Because of its unformal characteristic and more concern to family aspect, this personal letter demand unformality in

language usage. Form of writing a personal letter depending on the purpose, situation, and the acceptance letter. Choice of words used in a personal letter addressed to parents of course different from that shown to friends, teachers, and

siblings. If the letter is addressed to someone like a friend or family, then the format and language of the letter is relatively more free, for example friendly

letter, love letter, letter of apology, and others. However, if the letter was shown to officials or agencies, such as job application letters, increase in group submissions, or complaints, then the form and language used should be an official

letter. Personal letter has characters and it is not bound by the rules that bind as contained in official letters. Similarly, the language used in free style, although

polite and respectful at times but also funny and humorous style to show familiarity.

If we compare it with personal Indonesia letter, there is no differences

significantly between personal letter in English and Indonesia. Both of them has the same provisions in writing personal letter, so it is easy to understanding them.

In general, writing personal letter is not difficult than formal letter because you just write what your feeling to someone like friend or family. Although, it is unformal but we should also pay attention how to express our personal feelings in

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4. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

4.1 Conclusion

It is not too difficult to write the personal English letters. Having read

this paper, he/she can start making a good letter, especially in writing Personal English letters. This paper, has explained clearly that in writing English personal letters, the writer should pay attention to the style of

language used and to understand its parts.

A personal letter is a letter which is written for the informal situation.

The aims of personal letter are to deliver the information, to represent the letter writer’s desire, to be a reminder and there are still some others aim. Specialty, formal letter has some parts, such as sender’s address, date,

recipient’s address, salutation, body of letter, valediction, and signature. There are some kinds of personal letter together with their

examples that have been given in this paper. They will help the reader understand about the personal English letter, because the explanation about the personal letter in this paper is complete enough.

4.2 Suggestions

After writing this paper, the writer would like to give some suggestions follows:

• The writer expects that the reader will pay much attention to “A Brief

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• The writer expects that the reader will make a further study on

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gordon, Ian, 1983, “Practical Letter-Writing”, London: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd.

Hasan, Idrus, 2004, “Bagaimana Membuat Surat Inggris”, Jakarta: Restu Agung.

Kido, M, 2005, “Membuat Surat Inggris”, Jakarta: PT. Pradnya Paramita.

Kishore, B.R. Dr, “Everyday Complete Letter Writing”, New Delhi: Diamond Pocket Books Ltd.

Muchtar, Muhizar, 2007, “Correspondence”, Medan: (Diktat Kuliah).

Nadar, F.X, 2004, “Pernak-Pernik Korespondensi Bahasa Inggris”, Yogyakarta: Graha Ilmu.

Robertson, Mary and Perkins, W.E, 1974, “Practical Correspondence for Colleges”, United States of America: South-Western Publishing Co.

Sopyan, Iis, 2008, “Scentific Correspondence in English”, Jakarta: Visipro

Subburaj, V.V.K, “Effective Letter Writing and Business Correspondence”, Chennai: Sura’s.

A Brief Description of Writing Personal Letters

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WRITING PERSONAL ENGLISH

LETTERS

PAPER

BY

NAME

:

SULISTIA NINGSIH

REG. NO :

072202017

DIPLOMA III ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM

FACULTY OF LETTERS

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH SUMATERA

MEDAN

AUTHOR’S DECLARATION

COPYRIGHT DECLARATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

1.

INTRODUCTION

2.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ENGLISH LETTER

3. A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PERSONAL ENGLISH

LETTER

4. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION

BIBLIOGRAPHY