HOW TO WRITE A THANK-YOU LETTER

A letter of thanks (thank-you letter) is a letter that is used to express appreciation.

Personal thank you messages are handwritten. You can write them to express gratitude to a friend, acquaintance, or a relative. Friendly thank-you letters are also known as thank-you notes. 

A carefully crafted thank-you note can be a kind gesture.

Formal thank you messages can be written as business letters. They are also known as letters of gratitude.

It is important to send a letter as opposed to a text or email since letters carry more emotional significance to the sender and recipient as well.

Thank you messages are important ways of expressing gratitude because everyone loves to feel appreciated.

 

How to write a thank-you note

• Express your gratitude and name the favour or gift you received
• Write a sentence or two about how you benefited from the gift or action. Use thoughtful words to express your touching, appreciative sentiments
• Conclude by mentioning the next time you wish to visit or speak to the receiver
• You may add a relevant quote to spice up your note

 

How do you write a thank-you note?

Start with a greeting

Open your letter with a salutation addressing the recipient. For acquaintances or friends, you may address them by their first name.

Dear Felicia

When writing letters of gratitude, use Mr. or Mrs. followed by their last name

Dear Aunt Nekesa and Uncle Wafula

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Wafula

Dear Ms. Nekesa

 

Say you are thankful

State the reason why you are writing to express gratitude. The objective of the letter is to let the recipient know you appreciate their gift/gesture/favour/time etc

Mention what it is you are thankful for.

Thanks so much for your generous wedding gift

Your wedding gift made my day, thank you for being thoughtful.

 

How to say thank you

Thank you so much for …

Thanks a million …

I want to sincerely thank you for …

Thanks. It made my day when …

I can’t get over how thankful I am for …

Many thanks for …

 

REMEMBER: Short and sweet does the trick

 

Mention some specific details

Add specific details to your thank you letter

• What exactly is it you are thanking the person for?
• What specifically do you love about the gift/favour?

If they gave you a gift, mention how you are using it or how you are going to use it.  If they did you a favour e.g. a birthday party, tell them what your favourite part was or something specific you appreciated

I can’t wait to use the computer you bought me

I was pleasantly surprised to see all my friends at the party

It is good manners to appreciate other people’s time and effort. It makes them feel good since people love to be appreciated. Some may not even know that they made a special impact on you until you say thank you for it.

 

Look ahead

Let the reader know that you appreciate them that as an important person in your life.

Mention when you wish to see them next or inquire about what is going on in their life.  Let them know they are in your thoughts.

“Looking forward to seeing you again during the holidays”

“Thinking about you always thanks to the watch you sent me. I can’t wait to see you again”

 

Say thank you one more time

Reiterate your heartfelt gratitude

 

Send warm regards

Close your letter in an informal friendly way.

Much love

Many thanks

All the best

With love

Yours truly

Sincerely

 

 

In brief, remember to personalize the thank you note and to mention specifically what you are thanking the recipient for.

Examples;

• Events e.g. wedding, graduation, retirement, or anniversary party
• Appreciating hospitality when you are invited in someone’s home
• Showing gratitude to someone who helped you
• If you received a gift, make sure you let the giver know how much you appreciated the gesture

 

FUNCTIONAL WRITING: KCSE PAST QUESTIONS ON LETTERS OF THANKS  

KCSE ENGLISH PAPER ONE 2014

You visited a schoolmate during the holidays and thoroughly enjoyed yourself. Write a letter to the schoolmate thanking him or her for the invitation. Describe the experiences that made the stay memorable.

KCSE ENGLISH PAPER ONE 2013

Imagine that you are the caretaker of Fahari Children’s Home in Bahati. There is a heavy storm one evening. After the storm you discover that one of the children is missing. The child is hearing impaired (deaf). Write a notice appealing to the public to help you trace the child. There will be a handsome reward for information that will help you trace the child.

Three days later, you receive information from the local police station informing you that the child has been found. Write a thank-you note to inform the person who found and brought the child to the police station giving details of how he/she will receive the reward.  

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