Notes of Thanks
- A Thank You Note is thoughtful way to express your gratitude and appreciation for someone who has done something great for you.
- The note doesn’t have to be long to be meaningful. Your thoughts count more.
Elements of a Thank You Note
- Date
- Salutation
- Personalizing the note. Think of one or two specific instances when you were helped by the person.
- Concluding the note. Say thank you again to the person.
- Sign
Sample Thank You Note
9th April, 2016 Dear Ms Becky, I am writing to thank you for everything you did last year to help me prepare for my exams. I really appreciated when you asked me to be coming to see you whenever I had difficulty in your subject. You also advised me to work harder in class. All the support you gave me helped me receive the grade I have received. I could have never received anything near this grade without you. Thank you. Sincerely, |
Congratulatory Notes
- We always recognize the accomplishments by others.
- Writing a congratulatory note adds warmth to the relationships.
- We write congratulations notes incase of the following achievements:
- Promotion(job, class)
- Retirement
- Graduation
- New title
- New job
- Scholarship
- Successful speech
- Birth
- Engagement
- Marriage
- Winning competition
The Dos When Writing Congratulations Notes
- Write soon after hearing the news.
- Use the word “congratulations” early.
- Tell the person how impressed you are.
- Express your wishes for the person’s continued success.
Steps to Writing Congratulatory Notes
STEP | EXPLANATION | EXAMPLE |
Writing Salutation | The person might like see their own name written. |
Dear Aliow, |
Offering Congratulations | Done early. Mention the occasion. |
Congratulation on your promotion to deputy principal! |
Express your happiness. | Tell them how impressed you are. | I was thrilled when I heard the news! |
Relate the person’s achievement with something. |
Relate something about the person that could have led to their achievement. |
Ever since we worked together at Maragua Muslim Girls’ School, I knew you were one of the best. I am very glad that your passion for teaching has been recognised. |
Sending wishes for continued success. |
Assure them that there achievement is just one of the many others on nthe way. Wish them the best. |
Best of luck in your new position. I hope that this is just the start of the many more successes to come. |
Closing |
Add a closing remark. Choose from the list:
Write your name after this |
Best Wishes, Fardoly Mohamed |
Exercise
Juma Maxwel, your elser brother has just got a new job after working in another company for two years. In his new place of work he will be receiving twice the salary he used to be offered in the previous company. Write him a note congratulating him.
Condolences Notes
- Writing a condolence note is not an easy thing to do. This is because we often don’t know what to say. Because of this, we may even put the task off until the time to write has seemingly passed.
- In a condolence note, we reflect our genuine thoughts and feelings.
- Keep your message short yet thoughtful.
- Try as much as possible to mention a fond or funny memory of the deceased if you knew them.
Steps to Writing Condolence Notes
- Introduce your note. Example,
I was deeply saddened when I learned about Joan’s passing.
Or
I was deeply saddened by the news of Joan’s passing.
Or
We are very saddened to hear your recent loss of Joan. - Express your condolences, referring to the person’s death as a “loss”. For example,
Please accept my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. - Share a short story or memory you have about the deceased. It will allow the bereaved know how much their loved ones meant to you. Probably it will give them a reason to at least smile if not to laugh. If possible, tell them that the deceased will be missed. For example,
Joan was a source of inspiration to me. I will never forget her!
Or
Joan spent her time serving others. I am very grateful o have known her.
If you don’t know the person who has passed, you may say:
I will always remember your stories about…..
Or
I will always remember how much you loved …. - Acknowledge the cause of death especially if it comes after a long period of suffering or illness.
For example,
I know Joan experienced a great deal of suffering since she was diagnosed with cancer. I pray that you find comfort in knowing that she is no longer in any pain. - Offer some assistance. Give specific ways in which you would like to help. For example,
In this stressful moment, please let me know whether I can help in any way. I would like to ………. - Sum up your note using an appropriate phrase. You can choose from the list below
- You are in my thoughts
- With Deepest Sympathy
- With Heartfelt Condolences,
- Thinking of you
- My sincere sympathy
- I’m praying for you
Exercise
Your friend’s sister has passed on following the road accident on the eve of the new year. That same day you spend most of the time with her before she meets her tragedy. Write a note to Angela expressing how you feel about the sudden death of Mary, her sister.
Telegrams
- Telegram is a message sent by telegraph.
- It is done at the post office. Give the name and address of person who is to receive the message and dictate the exact message.
- The message is then sent by a teleprinter to the post office that is closest to the recipient and that p.o will deliver it.
Features.
- Has to be brief. Cost is based on no. of words
- The message does not need to be in complete sentences
- The message must be clear so as not to be misunderstood.
- A telegram is a text message sent by wire using Morse code.
- The codes are transcribed into language and printed.
- Telegrams can be sent all over the world within a couple of hours.
1. Wording Telegrams
- The right way of wording is economical, while the wrong way is wasteful.
- Avoid unnecessary words—words that might be omitted without impairing the sense of the message.
2. Writing Figures
- The suffixes ‘th’, ‘rd’, ‘nd’ appended to figures are counted as words.
- Spell the words as ‘fourth’ instead of ‘4th ’etc.
3. Get rid of small connecting words such as ‘a’, ‘the, etc’.
4. Make use of sharp sentences and phrases.
Sample Telegram
KENYAN POST AND TELEGRAM Sender’s Name: _______________________________________________ Dear Allan, HEARD YOU WERE LITTLE BIT UNDER WEATHER AT THE MOMENT |
Exercise
Your sister who lives in Chicago, USA, has delivered of a baby girl. Write her a telegram congratulating her on arrival of the new baby
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