The art of letter writing is a lost art in the age of instant communication, but it was once an essential skill. This book offers a comprehensive guide to writing letters in the style of the great authors of the past. It includes examples of letters from Jane Austen, Samuel Johnson, and other literary luminaries, providing readers with a sense of the elegance and grace that once characterized the art of correspondence. This book is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of writing or the art of communication. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Despite the ever-growing influence of technology, handwritten letters are regaining their value, meaning and popularity.

There are always times when you need to write a letter, and yet many people find it one of the most difficult ways to communicate. How do I begin and end my letter? How long should it be? What are the right things to say? The Art of Letter-Writing will help you by answering these questions, and more. Organized by occasion, the book contains samples of letters you might receive and how best to reply. Learn what to write in invitations and thank-you letters for weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries; find out the best ways to write polite but efficient letters of complaint, as well as how to sensitively phrase messages of condolence. Discover, too, the correct way to address envelopes and people according to their status. You'll find it easy to learn by example, as lots of sample letters that demonstrate ideal ways to correspond are included to use as a basis for your own letters. It includes guidance on getting the right tone for your letter, whether formal or informal, as well as the generally accepted format. Since many people now use computers both for work and personal matters, the section on 'netiquette' is a useful resource--describing the correct way to write an e-mail. Some of the quaint mysteries of letter-writing are also revealed, like why a man is addressed "esquire," making this the essential companion for anyone who values the power of the written word. * Answers the key questions that face letter-writers, such as where the date goes, whose address goes at the top, how to address the reader, and many more. * All types of letters are covered--from letters to friends to important letters to business clients.