Little Known Secrets in Writing Personal Letters

Tips for Writing Personal Letters

Writing a personal letter whether for admission in school or work requires thorough knowledge
and perfection. It does not only demand an excellent format but it should also contain a high-
quality text. If you are in doubt what to put in your personal letter, then be guided with some of
the tips that this article will share with you.

Advantage of an Excellent Personal Letter

Personal letters that are of high quality are filtered during a screening done by the committee.
Those that stood out will continue to the next stage of application or admission. These personal
letters serve as one of your first brick to construct an impression that you deserve the spot you
are applying for.

Some basic tips

This section will focus on some tips you may want to consider when writing your personal
application letter.

1. Be natural, showcase your personality

Do not over do things. Make it simple. Talk as if you are trying to introduce yourself to someone,
but in this case, it should be more formal. Make a good impression of yourself but do not brag.
The committee knows when a personal statement is genuine or not, so be true to yourself.

2. Take note of the rules

Never forget the rules that they have provided. Yes, you may have the best personal statement,
but if you did not follow their instructions, then it may be disregarded. All your efforts and hard
work will be useless.

The format for personal letters mostly concentrates on the word count. The word count is
important since you are not the only applicant, so they have to make a limitation as to cater
everyone.

Other rules include the number of pages and the restrictions like there should be no copying of
other personal statements.

3. Make it concise and precise as possible

Do not go around the bush. Put yourself in the shoes of the readers. Ask some questions to
yourself like, “do I understand it?” or “Is it clear enough?” If you, yourself is confused of what
you have written, change or revise it.

4. Plan carefully on what should be in your personal letter

Look back to your past achievements or accomplishments. Concentrate on the stories that are
connected to the position you will be applying. Mention your passion and your future goals.

One thing you might want to consider in this tip is to make an outline. Filter those which are
significant and not. And from then, you can write easier and think faster because of your guide.

5. Do not settle for mediocrity

Write as if it is your last one. Think of it as your winning piece to get the spot. Do not expect that
you will only be making one draft, it will require you to edit or revise things to come up with
your final letter.

With these tips, take a look now at the usual personal letters format

1. Introduction

Start it with a bang. Make an opening that will let the readers stick to your letter. In this part, you
have to mention the name of the program or the company and the position you are applying for.

2. Detailed paragraphs

In here, you are going to write your past achievements or accomplishments. You also put your
working experiences and ways these have helped you to decide what position or program you
want to take. In short, tell here your story, the passion you have.

In another paragraph, mention your future goals. Your aims should be specific and should be one
that is connected with the position you are applying.

3. Conclusion

If you have started it with a bang, then finish it with fireworks. Wrap up everything you have
said and emphasize on your eagerness or interest to be in the program or get the position. Lastly,
make a good closing remark.

Here are some of the types of personal letters to look at.

Reference Personal Letter and Personal Recommendation Letter

Writing personal letter of recommendation or reference letter is written when you want to apply
for work or you want to be admitted in a school or a program. It is usually written by your

professors, your employers, neighbors, clients or other persons that are suitable to attest your
skills, knowledge and abilities.

The things to take note of for these kinds of personal letters are the capability of your potential
writer to deliver the necessary information to get you on top. So to be able to accomplish this, be
open about to your potential writer. Tell him or her about the things that should be written in
there, and never forget the rules or instructions that he or she has to keep in mind.

Also, request the letter as early as possible as to not burden him or her. And with this reasonable
length of time, he or she will be able to furnish an excellent one. You can recommend this
template and tips to your potential writer

1. Always start it with “Dear Program Director” as your salutation.
2. The first paragraph should explain how your potential writer is connected to you. This

will establish how well your writer knows you, so that there will be no doubts that may
arise.
3. This part should talk about your working experience with your writer. Your qualifications,
work ethics, contributions and reasons why you will be successful in your future
endeavor should be embodied.
4. The writer should now reiterate your application. He or she should tell that you deserve
the position because of your qualifications and characteristics. In this way, the committee
is convinced that your writer really wants you to get the spot because you are qualified
for it.

Other types of personal letters

 Love letters: Writers write it to express love or romantic feeling to another person.
 Pen Pal Letters: This type of letter is written by pen pals who write each other regularly.
 Personal Business Letters: They are written by an office employee to another person.

Such may also come from an upset customer.

In making personal letters, keep in mind that you are doing it for your future self. So, your
present self should do everything for you to become successful. Always put your best foot
forward even with personal letters. Do not treat these personal letters as trivial ones because even
these little or simple things will help you to be on top.

Write your personal letter today!