R&G|MAGAZINE EDITION #11 - JUNE 2015 | Page 9

A few quick rules: When writing a letter, put your address in the top right hand corner and the recipient’s address in the top left hand corner. ALWAYS date your letter Start with Dear Mr/Mrs Smith …… if you know the name; or Dear Sir / Madam if you do not. At the end of your letter, remember: Dear Mr Brown = Yours Sincerely; Dear Sir = Yours Faithfully Remember the basic rules of punctuation: use capital letters at the start of each sentence and every time you write a name (of place or person.) Try not to confuse your / you’re; there / they’re/their; its/ it’s. (The first one is for possession and the second means it is, or it has) Use a variety of punctuation - including semi colons (;) - when you are part way through a sentence and need a slightly longer pause than a comma. (For example: I have much experience in this field; I taught English for twenty years.) If you are not sure then use either a computer auto correct, or ask someone with a good knowledge of grammar and spelling to look over your letter. 9