1. Determine the purpose of your letter

5 Choose a casual salutation. Since you're writing to a friend, keep the salutation casual. You can address the person by name or call them an endearing term. The salutation can also be happy or excited. For example, use:[3]Hello, Joanne! Hi, Jo Dear Joanne Dearest Jo

Start writing the main point of the letter. Fill your friend in on any information or details you want to share. For example, describe a recent trip you took or explain how your daily life has been recently. Although you can write about different things, always put them into new paragraphs, so the letter is easy to follow. For example, you might write 2 to 3 paragraphs about a trip you took over spring break. Then write af paragraph about what you've been doing since then. If you're unsure of what you can write about, keep it simple. For example, tell your friend about a movie you've seen or a book you've been reading.

Turn the discussion to your friend. Once you’ve written about what's new with you, how you've been feeling, or things you want your friend to know, respond to things your friend wrote about in their last letter. This ensures that the letter is a conversation.

• Turn the discussion to your friend. Once you’ve written about what's new with you, how you've been feeling, or things you want your friend to know, respond to things your friend wrote about in their last letter. This ensures that the letter is a conversation.
• If your friend hasn't written for a while, acknowledge that you haven't heard from them lately and you're wondering how they're doing.
• For example, you might write, "Last time you wrote, you said you'd been feeling poorly. Have you gone to the doctor or are you feeling better?"

Ask questions to encourage dialogue. Once you've given new information, introduce new directions for the conversation to continue. This is especially important if you'd like your friend's advice about something.

• Ask questions to encourage dialogue. Once you've given new information, introduce new directions for the conversation to continue. This is especially important if you'd like your friend's advice about something.
•  For example, say something like, "Now that you know what's been going on, how do you think I should handle my family coming into town?"
•  If you're unsure what to ask, you can keep it generic. For example, write, "What's been happening lately with you? Is there anything new to report?"