In today's electronic world there is still a place for written communication, whether it is typed, printed on a printer, or handwritten. When word processors were new, it was exciting and novel to receive a letter with both margins lined up equally. Shortly after that became commonplace, it was more impressive to receive communication where the right margin was again ragged, implying that it was at least typewritten. The novelty was combined with the recipient's feeling of being special. When was the last time you received a handwritten letter? Didn't you feel wonderful that someone had taken the time and effort to write to you like that? You can use this very powerful feeling to your own benefit. A printed letter with a handwritten note at the bottom is very much appreciated by a parent, who feels that the same note was not sent to everyone else. A thank you note, handwritten on beautiful paper, or a carefully chosen handwritten card, is always a nice surprise for the recipient and marks you as a professional who has taken the time to pay respect to the reader. Make sure your writing and signature are legible Spell check all of your printed communication. Your professional edge is compromised when your communication, in any form, is filled with spelling, typographical, or grammatical errors. The message you send is that you are too busy to care. Always use ink, not pencil. When printing, choose a font that is easily readable and not too small. Use paragraphs and bullets to break up your writing and make it more readable. Use the correct salutation for the person to whom you are writing. If you are not certain of their title, choose the more formal of the choices. Do not use first names unless you know the person or it is common practice in your situation. Use the proper conventions for a letter. Open with a greeting, state the purpose of your communication, give more detail if needed, close with a thank you or other appropriate closing, followed by your name and signature. Avoid the use of slang and never use derogatory language of any type. Remember that the written word is permanent. What you write and send to someone can become part of a record. Be careful what you say. For more information on written communication, click here.