Do's: - Specifically ask for support of your position.
- Address you legislator properly.
- Write legibly (handwritten letters are fine if they are easilyreadable).
- Be brief, to the point and discuss only one issue in each letter.
- Try to identify a bill by number and/or title.
- Know the facts. Do not try to influence a legislator before youhave a complete understanding of the issue.
- If possible, give an example of how the legislation will affectyou personally.
- If you are writing as an individual, use you own words and yourown stationery. If you are writing as an organization, use theorganization's stationery.
- Include your address and sign your name legibly.
- If you have any family, business or political connectionregarding the issue you are writing about, explain it.
- Ask the legislator to state his or her position in their reply.
- Ask your legislator if they prefer to be contacted by fax,e-mail, phone or letter.
Write your legislator when they dosomething you approve of. Too often legislators hear only fromconstituents that are against something. Everyone enjoys a goodword rather than a complaint.
Don'ts:
- Do not send a postcard.
- Do not sign and send a form letter.
- Do not begin on a righteous note ("Asa citizen and taxpayer..." or "As a concerned citizen...").Legislators know you pay taxes and are a citizen.
- Do not apologize for writing andtaking their time. If your letter is short and clearly expressesyour opinion, they are happy to give it some consideration.
- Do not be rude or threatening.
- Do not send a copy of yourletter to other legislators; write each one individually.
How to address your letters:
When writing to a State Legislator or Governor: The HonorableJohn Doe or The Honorable Jane Doe
State Senator or State Representative or Governor
State House or Straton Building, Room ###
Springfield, IL 62706When writing to a U. S. Representative or U.S. Senator:
The Honorable John Doe or The HonorableJane Doe
U. S. House of Representatives or U. S. Senate
Address
Illinois or Washington, D.C.Back to the RTAC home page
FAQs
DOs & DON'Ts
| What not to do | What to do |
|---|
| Do not use bullet points or lists, unless it is in a report. | use complete sentences and link these into logical paragraphs. |
| Avoid making assumptions or giving your opinion (unless specifically asked). | Be objective. |
| Avoid waffling or repeating yourself. | Be clear and concise. |
11 more rowsHow to write a formal letter in block style
- Step 1: Write the contact information and date. All formal letters start with the contact information and date. ...
- Step 2: Write the salutation. ...
- Step 3: Write the body of the letter. ...
- Step 4: Write the complimentary close. ...
- Step 5: Mention enclosed materials.
It helps to make your letter effective, clear, concise and correct in every way possible. Get rid of all previous formatting before typing your final copy. Never write a formal letter in 1st person narrative, don't use personal pronouns like "I, me, you".
What are the 3 letter rules? ›
In English spelling, the three-letter rule, or short-word rule, is the observation that one- and two-letter words tend to be function words such as I, at, he, if, of, or, etc. As a consequence of the rule, "content words" tend to have at least three letters.
What are three do's and three don'ts with a cover letter? ›
Do's and don'ts for crafting a cover letter
- Explain how you can help.
- Don't focus on what the job can do for you.
- Discuss your skills.
- Don't focus on your current job title or education.
- Research the company before writing the cover letter.
- Don't mention any negative media mentions.
- Include specific keywords.
7 Rules for Writing
- Show up. ...
- Write every day. ...
- Don't do anything else until you've written five hundred words. ...
- Move. ...
- Once you've produced a semi-credible draft of a section or chapter, have someone read it to you aloud. ...
- Remember that writing, though solitary, is also social. ...
- These rules work for me.
A Few Golden Rules for Producing Good Writeups: Use plain English; clear and straightforward language is often more effective than complex vocabulary and lengthy sentences. Eliminate repetitive words or phrases. Use a mix of short and long sentences to keep the reader engaged.
What are the 5 C's of letter writing? ›
For effective communication, remember the 5 C's of communication: clear, cohesive, complete, concise, and concrete. Be Clear about your message, be Cohesive by staying on-topic, Complete your idea with supporting content, be Concise by eliminating unnecessary words, be Concrete by using precise words.
What are the 7 C's of letter writing? ›
The 7 Cs stand for: clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous. Though there are a few variations. You can use the 7 Cs as a checklist in your written and spoken messages.
What is letter writing etiquette? ›
Write to someone how you would address them in person and be polite. Capitalize the first letter in each sentence. Use complete sentences. Be formal and address the person by their name. Be direct and clear in your writing.
What are the most common mistakes when writing letters to different audiences?
- Mistake 1: Using the wrong format.
- Mistake 2: Lacking clarity and focus.
- Mistake 3: Ignoring the tone and voice.
- Mistake 4: Forgetting the audience. ...
- Mistake 5: Missing the call to action. ...
- Mistake 6: Neglecting the follow-up.
DO make a clear connection between your letter and the task input. DON'T repeat the exact words in the task input. DO list your complaints clearly, using linkers to connect your actual complaint with the details. When you are writing a letter to someone you don't know, use a semi-formal style.
What should you not always do when writing? ›
Don't use the same sentence length, or type of sentence every time. Try not to use words such as, stuff, things, or place. Be specific. Don't give away your ending of your story too fast.
What are the do's and don'ts of written communication? ›
- DO write with the reader in mind. ...
- DON'T become over-reliant on your computer's spelling/grammar checking facility. ...
- DO keep writing as simple and succinct as possible. ...
- DON'T be tempted to use sarcasm jokingly in written communication. ...
- DO structure and organise your business writing.
Follow these steps when writing a block or AMS formal letter:
- Write your name and contact information. ...
- Include the date. ...
- Include the recipient's name and contact information. ...
- Write a subject line for AMS style. ...
- Write a salutation for block style. ...
- Write the body of the letter. ...
- Include a sign-off. ...
- Proofread your letter.
