PB1A

                A Thank You card/letter is, I think, a good example of a genre. I learned a specific way to write them, and have only expanded on what I was initially taught. Whether you are thanking someone for a gift, their help in some way, or their presence at an event, the basic outline of the card is simple. You begin with addressing the recipient, followed by an expression of gratitude, and then you sign the missive: “Dear Mr. Smith, Thank you so much for healing my leg. Thank you again, Susie.”  You could add something along the lines of “It is so much better know, and I have full use of it!” to further emphasize your gratefulness.

                The audience of a Thank You card/letter is only intended to be the person(s) the card is addressed to, and perhaps their family/friends if they choose to share, therefore a Thank You card/letter can be a very personalized letter. Generally, informal writing is common in this genre, but formal writing is acceptable if you are not acquainted with the person(s) you are thanking. For example, if the Dean of your college grants you the ability to enroll in more than the maximum amount of units for a quarter, you would consider sending him/her a letter or email expressing your gratitude. This would not be a necessarily comfortable email. It would be respectful and at least mostly formal, depending on how well you know the Dean. You would address the Dean in a professional manner, “Dear Dean Smith….” You would then get right into the meat of the subject. You wouldn’t include a greeting of “Happy New Year” or “How are you?” because those are too familiar and not appropriate for such a respected audience. You would begin with “I wanted to express my gratitude that you permitted me to take the classes I’ve requested.” You may wish to include an assurance that you won’t take the privilege of extra units for granted and will do your best in all of them, but don’t elaborate on it, simply, “I will strive for excellence in these classes.” You could include another statement of appreciation because this is really a time to suck up, “I genuinely appreciate this vote of confidence.” Or something equally cheesy. Thank you notes are best kept short and sweet unless it’s to a family member or close friend, so now would be a good time to finish up and sign the bottom of the page with a “Sincerely, John Smith”.

                The purpose of writing a Thank You note is to ensure that you can adequately express your thanks to someone who has aided you or given you something. The times I most often find myself writing a Thank You note is after a gift giving occasion. In this instance, a less formal writing style is appropriate, and depending on how well you know the recipient of the note, you can elaborate on why you appreciate the gift, or how useful it is. If you received an article of clothing then state how you’ve already worn it, or are excited to have an opportunity to.

                The tone of a Thank You note is always appreciative and, you guessed it, thankful, but the formality of it depends on the recipient of the note. A Thank You note is a Thank you note or letter or card when it contains an expression of thanks in anyway shape or form. Anything else included in the letter are simply conventions that are common to the genre.