Great Letters for Every Occasion

By Rosalie Maggio

Book Overview

Why devote valuable time and effort to writing correspondence from scratch when you can have all your letters and memos written for you? Compiled by Rosalie Maggio, a best-selling author and lifelong collector of finely worded communications, Great Letters for Every Occasion gives you hundreds of model letters that you can use "as is" or easily adapt to your needs. The letters in this book cover every conceivable situation--from sensitive issues to business correspondence to holiday and special events. You'll even find love letters and pen-pal letters. Each is clearly and concisely written, and guaranteed to convey your thoughts in a direct and engaging manner. And each and every one of them is a letter you'll be proud to sign your name to. Want to write your own letter . . . but need help getting started? Great Letters for Every Occasion provides easy-to-follow writing formulas for 50 different kinds of messages. In addition, the "Getting Started" sections give you a wide variety of opening sentences perfect for getting your thoughts flowing. Scores of inspiring quotations, drawn from great thinkers and writers, are perfect for adding a touch of wisdom or fun to your letters. Keep this guide handy, and you'll never struggle to put your thoughts into writing again

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0735200815
• ISBN13: 9780735200814
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Prentice Hall Press
• Length: 576 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.9" x 9.4"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A good reference manual

This is a valuable tool to have for reference. It is not a substitute for your own words as there are several problems with some of the samples.The section on thank you notes should generally be ignored. The author makes several claims which go against proper etiquette and general good taste. For example, she says if a gift arrives prior to the big event, wait to send a thank you note until after the event. This is completely wrong as a thank you note should be sent *immediately* upon receipt for any gift. Most of the sample letters actually begin with the words "Thank you for..." which is also improper. The thanks are enclosed within. She also admits to going against proper etiquette by saying it's okay to close with the phrase "Thanks again." It's not okay and makes for a poorly written letter which looks to be written from a child who does not know better.The section on employment is especially good and is a nice change from the droll letters seen by those who specialize in such letters. The section on introductions is also particulaly good. The section on apologies is excellent.The model letters in sympathy are generally good, but certain letters are completely tactless, such as the examples written in the case of couple's divorce. Put yourself in the recipient's shoes when reading the model letters in this section to gauge how you would feel receiving such a letter in similar circumstances before you actually commit such a letter to paper and mail it off to a friend.As a side note, the book is sprinkled throughout with small quotes from notables. They are very enjoyable and apropos.This is a good reference manual to add to your library, but do not let proper etiquette go when referring to this book.