5
Why should you
write a thank-you
note?
» To show appreciation for someone
supporting you
» To acknowledge a gift, donation or
service
» To provide recognition to someone
who has done a good deed
When should you
write a thank-you
note?
» After receiving any type of gift
» After attending a job interview
» After someone donates to a cause in
your name
» After someone goes above and
beyond the expected
» After someone writes a letter of
recommendation for you
» After someone helps you with a
project or endeavor
» If you want to make a good
impression
» If you are unsure of whether or
not to write a thank-you note
(Write one!)
The Seven Steps to a Great
Thank-You Note
How should you write a thank-you note?
A good thank-you note has seven main components:
1
A greeting to the thank-you note recipient (Dear . . . )
The specific reason you are thanking them (Mention what they bought,
gave or did. This is always important to do first.)
The reason why you appreciate them (They supported you, were
thoughtful and gave a gift, went out of their way to help you out or
other reasons.)
How you plan to use the gift or why the gift or act of service was
important to you (You will use it to save for college; you really enjoy
playing the game; you can’t wait to go shopping with the gift card; you
know you have a great chance at the scholarship because of the letter of
recommendation — or other ways.)
A comment or detail about yourself, an update on your life or a positive
comment (This is a great time to share news on your life or to add a
positive remark about the recipient.)
A repeat of your thank-you (You may leave this out if you sign “with
thanks” at your closing.)
A closing and signature of your name (With thanks, Name or
Sincerely, Name)
2
3
4
5
6
7
Dear Aunt Sara,
Thank you for the wonderful sweater
you sent me for Christmas. I appreciate
your thinking of me at the holidays.
I look forward to wearing the sweater
this winter as it always gets cold here
in Michigan. I am having a great
8th grade year and am playing on
the basketball team this spring. I am
looking forward to that! Thanks
again for thinking of me!
Love,
Katie
1
2
3
4
6
7
The Seven Steps to a Great Thank-You Note
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Your note
should be:
» Hand written in blue or black ink
» Neat and legible
» On a note card or good quality
paper (Lined paper or index cards
are not a good choice.)
» Personalized to the situation
TIP: In the case of a job
interview, you may send a
thank-you note in email form if
the employer will be reaching a
decision quickly. The key is to
make it personal.
More Thank-You Note Examples…
Dear Mrs. Jones,
Thank you for attending my spring
band concert. It was great to see
you in the audience! I am so glad
to have such nice neighbors who support
my school events. I really enjoy
being in band and love playing my
clarinet. I hope to go to band camp
this summer.
Thank you, (6
Nick
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading this informa-
tional handout. I appreciate your
taking the time to read about the
importance of thank-you notes and
how to write a good one. I hope
you learned something new.
Thank-you notes are an important
part of good communication and
relationship building. I am sure
having this skill will benefit you
throughout your life. Thanks again
for your time and all the best to you in
your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Laurie
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Aspects of the steps taken from “6
Steps to Writing a Thank You Note –
Holiday Edition,” Dec. 16, 2010, Dale
Carnegie Training. New York. Retrieved
from http://blog.dalecarnegie.com/
teammemberengagement/6-steps-to-
writing-a-thank-you-note-holiday-
edition/
Created by: Laurie Rivetto, 4-H
Educator, MSU Extension Wayne
County 4-H, 2013
