A letter is a message written by a person to convey a message to another.

Letters represent mutual friendship and a type of humanly communication, especially on a regular letter exchange between two people. Letters had been existent through humanity since ancient history. Letters existed during the time of ancient Egypt, Sumer, and ancient India, through Greece, Rome, and China. Furthermore, letters make up some of the books found on the bible. Archives of correspondence, whether for personal, diplomatic, or business reasons, serve as primary sources for historians. Probably the height of letter writing was during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, when letters were the standard way to share information across a distance. Who wrote the first letter? The honour of the invention has been given to Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus; married successively to Cambyses and Dai ins Hystaspes, by which latter prince she became the mother of Xerxes. The fact as recorded by Hellanicus, a general historian of the dynasties and catastrophes of ancient states. The 19th century is the height of writing letters in paper because of increased businesses and social interaction among people. Types of Letters A thank you letter or letter of thanks is a letter that is used when one party wishes to express appreciation to another party. There are two main types of thank you letters: business thank you letters and personal thank you letters. A Business Letter is formally written and used among two parties having business relations. This can also be writing as a form of correspondence between organizations and their clients, customers as well as external parties. Business letters include : 1. Appreciation Letter - a letter of gratitude and appreciation for help extended, or a good business deal. 2. Application letter is a cover letter that accompanies a formal resume, referring to a specific job opening 3. Resignation Letter signifies someone's desire to leave a job permanently. 4. 5. 6. 7. Complaint Letter Thank You Letter is a letter of gratitude. Letter of Apology Letter of Recommendation is generally written on the behalf of someone, such as a prospective student or employee. The letter typically lists the values, strengths, qualities and other positive characteristics of a person. The writer of the letter shows why the person being recommended deserves whatever the

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recommendation is concerning, such as being accepted to the school, hired for a job, accepted to an organization, let out of trouble, and so on. 8. Letter of Interest 9. Letter of Appeal 10. Invitation Letter is a letter persuading a person or a company to join an event or an occasion. 11. Donation letter - a letter asking for donations. Personal Letters These are written communication exchanges between friends, family members or any two people with close ties. It uses a more informal tone. These also include : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Thank You Notes Apology Letter Love Letters Condolence Letter is a letter of condolences to a person or family. Invitation Letter is a letter persuading a person or a company to join an event or an occasion.

Thong Jing Yuan Sec 1A