Hone your correspondence skills during Universal Letter-Writing Week (Video)

The art of letter writing has largely fallen by the wayside, but this doesn't have to be the case for your family. Universal Letter-Writing Week is observed each year from January 8-14. Get your stationery ready, because this annual event is an excellent opportunity for your family members to practice their correspondence skills.

The two main types of letters are business letters and friendly letters. Business letters are formal in nature, and the writer should follow standard formatting guidelines. Friendly letters are personal correspondence to an individual with whom the writer is familiar. They can be written in a more casual style. During Universal Letter-Writing week, your students could learn the difference between business and friendly letters and practice writing letters of each type.

Students can practice writing letters during Universal Letter Writing Week.

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Business letters are sent for formal purposes, rather than for casual conversation. Typically, the recipient is an individual or organization with whom the sender does not have a personal relationship. Your students could send a business letter to a favorite company to request coupons or samples. They could also send a business letter to thank a local organization for its service in your community or to express an opinion to the editor of the newspaper.

Receiving a handwritten letter in the mail would be a surprising treat for a friend or family member, and crafting such a letter is a perfect opportunity for students to flex their friendly letter skills. Friendly letters can be used to thank a gift-giver for a holiday present or to catch a grandparent up on the details of your life. Writing to a penpal is another time when a friendly letter would be appropriate.

To mail your letter or purchase shipping supplies, visit the Post Office at 95 State Street, Peoria, Ill. Call 800-275-8777 for Post Office information.

Whether you choose to send business letters or friendly letters, take time during Universal Letter-Writing Week to practice the art of written communication with your students. One piece of mail at a time, we can preserve the worthwhile craft of letter writing for yet another generation.