How to Write a Letter of Request

Last Updated: September 16, 2022 References

At some point, most people have to write a letter of request for something. Whether it's a charitable contribution, a chance to make up a missed exam, a meeting with an expert in your field, or a document you need for a report you're writing, the style for writing these letters remains the same. Follow these instructions to make your letter of request more professional and persuasive.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Writing a Draft

1
Use the proper format. Writing your letter in the proper, professional format of a business letter is a good way to make a positive first impression.
- In the top left corner, you should include first, your full address, second, the date, and third, the full address of the sender.^{[1]
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  Research source} There should be a line of space between each of these.
- You may also include a subject line after the recipient's address, but this is optional.^{[2]
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2
Start with a salutation. Begin the main text of your letter with a proper, respectful salutation.
- If you know the person you are writing to, you can use their first name, e.g. "Dear Tim." Otherwise, you should use the person's last name and the proper title, (eg. Dr., Mr., Ms. or Mrs.).^{[3]
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- If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use a salutation like "Dear Sir or Madam," or "To Whom It May Concern."
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3
Write an introductory paragraph. In the first paragraph of any letter of request, you will need to introduce yourself and clearly but briefly state the purpose of the letter, e.g. "I am writing in hopes that you will consider making a contribution to the Boston Citizen's Charity Fund.^{[4]
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- If you have had any previous interaction with the recipient of your letter, the opening paragraph is also a good place to remind them of the nature of your association or the contact you've had in the past.^{[5]
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- For example: "I am a student in your drama 101 class," "I'm the president of the Boston Citizens Charity Fund, an organization you've generously donated to for the last 10 years," or "I contacted you last month about the possibility of a class trip to your amusement park."
- Establishing a connection is not only helpful to the recipient but may also promote feelings of affinity with you that might increase the chances of your request being granted.
4
Write a body paragraph. Your body paragraph (or paragraphs) should provide additional context and information and more specific details about your request.^{[6]
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- Be thorough but brief. You should clearly explain what it is you are requesting and why the matter is worthy of consideration, but your reader will not want to read your life story.^{[7]
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- Be straightforward and specific about what you are requesting. The receiver should be left with no doubt as to what you want.^{[8]
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  Research source} For example: "I'm hoping you'll consider repeating your generous contribution this year," or "I'd like to respectfully request an opportunity to resubmit this paper."
- Be courteous and use a tone that is appropriate for your reader.^{[9]
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- Be factual and keep your emotions in check. If you must discuss your feelings about a matter, state them factually rather than emotionally, e.g. "I was very disappointed when I saw my grade," not "I'm so mad about this grade!"^{[10]
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5
Write a concluding paragraph. In your concluding paragraph, you should make your recipient aware of any relevant time constraints you face,^{[11]
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- For example, if you are writing to request information or a meeting with someone that must occur before a certain date to be of any use to you, politely make that clear in the conclusion.
- Even if your recipient ultimately does not grant your request, the fact that they have taken the time to read your letter and consider your wishes is worthy of thanks.
6
Add a closing. Finally, your letter needs an appropriate and polite closing. Good options include "Respectfully," "Sincerely," or "Best regards," followed by your name.^{[13]
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- If you are sending a physical letter, leave four lines of empty space between the closing and your typed name. In this space, sign your name with a pen.
- If you are enclosing any materials with your letter, this information should come after your closing, e.g. "Enclosures: 2."^{[14]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Finalizing the Letter

1
Cool off. After finishing the first draft of your letter, set it aside for a few days, if time permits. This will give you a different perspective on it when you return to it.^{[15]
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2
Edit and rewrite the letter. Give the letter a close reading to make sure your writing is clear, flows well, and accomplishes the goals you set out to accomplish in part 1. Make any necessary revisions.
- A good way to assess your writing is to read your letter out loud. This will help you to notice any missing words and generally get a sense of whether the language flows well and strikes the appropriate tone.^{[16]
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3
Proofread the final draft. After you've made any substantive edits, give the letter one more look to catch any spelling and grammar mistakes that you might have missed the first time.
- It's a good idea to have someone else read your letter for this purpose as well. It is much easier to overlook your own errors.^{[17]
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4
Send your letter. Send your letter to its recipient. If you are sending a physical letter, be sure to include a current and professional-looking stamp. In the top left of the envelope, put your name, title (if applicable), and return address. In the bottom middle, include the recipient's name and address. Make sure you keep a copy for your records until the matter is settled.^{[18]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Preparing to Write

1
Brainstorm the big ideas. In order to write a clear, effective letter, it is crucial that you have a clear sense of your goals and the letter's purpose.
- A good way to make sure your thoughts about these topics are clear is to get three blank pieces of paper and label them "why I am writing this letter," "the purpose of this letter," and "other thoughts."^{[19]
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- Without worrying too much about details, take a few minutes and write down your thoughts about the letter on these three pieces of paper. Make lists and brainstorm the big picture ideas you have about the situation that has prompted you to write the letter, what you hope the letter will achieve, and any other important information you think may need to be included.
2
Consider your audience. Essential to setting the right tone in your letter is understanding the audience you are writing for.^{[20]
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Research source} After your initial brainstorm, on another piece of paper, write down what you know about the recipient of your letter.
- For example, what is this person's position, and how can he or she be of help? Will this person be making a final decision about your request, or making a decision about whether or not to pass your request on to a higher authority?
- It's also a good idea to consider the recipient's knowledge of the topic you are writing about. If your reader is not well versed in the topic you are writing about, this will necessitate a different type of writing (i.e. use of simpler language and the inclusion of more background information) than if your recipient is already an expert on the matter.
3
Make an outline. Finally, before you begin actually composing the letter, create an outline to organize your thoughts into a logical, coherent order.^{[21]
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- Consider the main points you want to make and the secondary points you will use to support those points. Make sure your ideas are organized in a way that will make sense to your reader.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I write a letter to a club requesting privacy screens be put on the gym windows that face the street where people are walking past all the time?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

Find the address of the club, write your letter, send it. However, most clubs spend a lot of time considering their interiors, including windows to the outside, and what that does psychologically to the patrons. I assume this club would have also given this careful thought before choosing to make the interior visible to passers-by, so your request is not guaranteed to get the result you'd like, and you may need to find a new club that better suits your preference.

Warnings

Don't try to manipulate your reader with emotional appeals, threats, or unrealistic promises.^{[25]
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Bad spelling and grammar can damage an otherwise well-written letter.^{[26]
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Research source} It can be distracting to your reader, and can create the impression that you don't care enough about your request to get it right. Always proofread, and whenever possible get a second reader to look at your letter.

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