English Language Arts
Grade 11
15 min
Greetings and closings of letters
Greetings and closings of letters
What you'll learn
- Identify the greeting and closing in 3 out of 4 example letters.
- Choose the correct greeting for a letter to a friend in 2 out of 3 scenarios.
- Write a closing that is appropriate for a letter to a family member with 100% accuracy, using provided examples as a guide.
- Explain why different greetings and closings are used for different people in their own words.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Differentiate between formal, semi-formal, and informal greetings and closings based on audience and purpose.
Analyze the rhetorical effect of specific salutations and valedictions in historical and literary letters from American literature.
Select and compose appropriate greetings and closings for various professional and academic contexts, such as college applications and emails to professors.
Punctuate greetings and closings correctly according to standard American English conventions, specifically the use of the colon versus the comma.
Evaluate the tone established by a letter's greeting and closing and its consistency with the body of the text.
Synthesize knowledge of audience and purpose to craft original, context-appropriate greetings and closin...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
SalutationThe greeting at the beginning of a letter or email that addresses the recipient.In a formal letter, 'Dear Dr. Evans:' serves as the salutation.
ValedictionThe complimentary closing of a letter, which comes before the signature.Common valedictions include 'Sincerely,' or 'Respectfully,'.
RegisterThe level of formality in language, determined by the social context, relationship between communicators, and purpose.Using 'Dear Admissions Committee:' demonstrates a formal register, while 'Hey guys,' uses an informal register.
ToneThe writer's attitude toward the subject and the audience, conveyed through word choice and style.A greeting like 'To Whom It May Concern:' establishes a formal, impersonal...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Punctuation Rule: Colon vs. Comma
Use a colon after the salutation in a formal business or academic letter. Use a comma after the salutation in an informal or personal letter. Always use a comma after the valediction.
This is a critical convention that signals the letter's register. A colon (e.g., 'Dear Dr. Smith:') is strictly for formal contexts. A comma (e.g., 'Dear Aunt Carol,') is for personal correspondence. The closing always gets a comma (e.g., 'Sincerely,').
The Capitalization Rule
Capitalize the first word of the salutation and any titles used (e.g., Dear, Mr., Dr., Senator). Capitalize only the first word of the valediction.
This rule applies across registers. For example: 'Dear Ms. Jones:' and 'Sincerely yours...
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Challenging
For a synthesis essay, you are asked to write a letter to your school board, using three provided sources to argue for the inclusion of more diverse authors in the American Literature curriculum. Which greeting/closing pair would be most rhetorically effective for establishing a credible, respectful, and serious student persona?
A.Hey School Board, / C-ya,
B.Dear Members of the School Board: / Sincerely,
C.To Whom It May Concern, / Respectfully submitted,
D.Greetings and Salutations: / With hope for the future,
Challenging
A letter from Abraham Lincoln closes with 'Yours, as ever, A. Lincoln.' While this breaks the modern rule of only capitalizing the first word, how does this valediction achieve a powerful rhetorical effect in its historical and personal context?
A.It blends formality ('Yours,') with enduring personal connection ('as ever'), creating a tone of steadfast reassurance for the recipient.
B.It is a secret code used by the Union army to verify the authenticity of presidential correspondence.
C.It demonstrates Lincoln's lack of knowledge about proper letter-writing conventions.
D.It is an aggressive closing meant to assert his authority over the recipient.
Challenging
Compare the salutation from the Abigail Adams letter ('My Dearest Friend') with a standard formal salutation like 'Dear Sir:'. Which statement best analyzes the difference in their rhetorical strategies?
A.Both are equally formal, but Adams's is more specific.
B.'Dear Sir:' aims to establish a respectful but impersonal distance, while Adams's aims to erase distance by emphasizing intimacy and equality.
C.Adams's salutation is a strategic error, as it undermines the seriousness of her political requests.
D.'Dear Sir:' is a modern convention, while 'My Dearest Friend' was the standard for all 18th-century letters.
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Greetings and closings of letters"?
Greetings and closings of letters is a Grade 11 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Greetings and closings of letters?
You'll be able to: Identify the greeting and closing in 3 out of 4 example letters; Choose the correct greeting for a letter to a friend in 2 out of 3 scenarios; Write a closing that is appropriate for a letter to a family member with 100%….
Is "Greetings and closings of letters" free to practice?
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How many practice questions are included with Greetings and closings of letters?
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.