Letter Ettiquette Question

[lifesaver]

Quick Question All...

I have been asked to write a letter in support of a high school teacher I had some years ago. She has been nominated for a national award and she neeeds letters of support from former students, friends, co-workers, supervisors, etc. I will be writing one of many letters from former students. Being from a small town, in four years, I had this teacher seven times for different classes; (three english classes and four debate classes). She lives in a different town, but we have remained friends.

The letter will talk about what a great teacher she was and how we maintained friends for over a decade now.

My question is this; how do I refer to her in the letter? Do I write it from the perspective of a former student and refer to her formally throughout as "Mrs. Williams"? Or can I use standard letter format of peers (because we're friends now) and initially refer to her as Mrs. Williams and alternate between that and 'Barbara'? I now refer to her in real life and emails as Barbara.

Any help would be appreciated.

[EEKappa]

Perhaps you could start by saying "Mrs. Williams, who is now a friend I call Barbara..." Then refer to her as Barbara throughout.

I've been a judge for several awards programs like this, and the entries that stand out are the ones that offer examples and tell stories. Judges get tired of reading the same letters "Blah blah... best employee ever... a credit to his/her profession... exemplary in every way... blah blah." What's really persuasive reading how this person has walked through fire, moved mountains, or otherwise shown him or herself to be exceptional.

Good luck to Barbara -- hope she wins!

[DeltAlum]

Don't really know what the "official" stand on this would be, but if it were me writing the letter, I would use the "formal" Mrs./Ms./Mr. (last name) form.

Two reasons:

I don't know the person I'm writing to and second I'm writing about a former teacher who obviously deserves the respect, even though we now are friends as oppossed to our former teacher/student relationship.

Again, I don't know if there's any rule on that, but it's what I would do. It just feels like the right way.

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by EEKappa
Perhaps you could start by saying "Mrs. Williams, who is now a friend I call Barbara..." Then refer to her as Barbara throughout.

I think something like this would work well. Whatever you do, pick one and use it consistently rather than switching.

[Tom Earp]

Just Be Respectful and say from Your Heart! I am sure they sill get the Idea!

Place Your Title.It cannot Do But Help but

[Sistermadly]

I'd go formal and call her "Mrs. Williams" unless she has expressly said it's okay for you to be informal.