Letter Writing: To The President

Whether you want to congratulate the President or voice a concern, a letter to him can be an effective way to get your message heard. However, a letter to the President should be formatted like an official business letter.

Regardless of how a letter is sent (through an electronic contact form or by snail mail) the White House has an office that sorts and replies to letters from citizens.

1. Start with a Complimentary Close

When writing a letter to the president, a complimentary close is an important part of the message you are trying to convey. The closing of the letter shows your gratitude and respect to the recipient, and should always be formal in tone. There are a few different complimentary closings to choose from, depending on the purpose of your letter. These include Yours sincerely, Very sincerely yours, Sincerely yours, Cordially yours, Most sincerely, and Yours truly.

You may have several reasons for writing to the president, such as asking for a pardon or making a request for assistance. Regardless of the reason, you should take your time when drafting the letter to ensure it is well written and clear. The White House Office of Presidential Correspondence will review the letter before it is forwarded to the president, so it is important that the letter has all the appropriate information needed.

When composing your letter, it is best to type it rather than write by hand. However, if you must write it by hand, be sure to use blue or black ink and make it as neat as possible. It is also a good idea to leave four lines of space between the complimentary close and your typed name if you are sending a hard copy letter. This will give the letter a more professional look.

2. Begin with a Purpose

When writing to any government official, it is important to begin with a purpose. This is especially true for letters to the President, which should be written with a specific request or concern in mind. This will give the letter a clear structure that can help guide the content and tone of the letter.

A common purpose for this type of letter is to enlist an official’s support of a community or larger initiative. This may be as simple as asking the official to lend his name or fame to the effort, or as involved as requesting that he become a legislative champion for the cause.

Another reason for writing this kind of letter is to express disapproval of an official’s actions or policies. This is often done when a scandal breaks out that calls into question the official’s integrity or competence. The letter may also serve to inform the official of an alternative course of action that he may not have considered.

If the letter is to be sent via electronic contact form or physical mail, it should be addressed to “The President.” This should be emphasized at the top of the letter as well as on the envelope. The author’s name, home address, city, state, and zip code should follow the President’s address in a clearly readable font.

3. Include Supporting Information

A letter to the president should include supporting information in the form of a citation, quote from a research report, anecdote or footnote. This should reinforce the authors’ belief that the issue at hand deserves their attention.

A return address should be included at the top left corner of the envelope to encourage two-way communication. The envelope should be large enough to accommodate a postage stamp. Since anything entering the White House must go through rigorous security checks, it may take a while before anyone reads a letter, so correspondents should assume that their message will be delayed by at least a few days or more.

The first paragraph should provide the context for the request, stating that the issue is one that is of great importance to many people. It should also explain why the request is particularly relevant to the writer and how his or her support will make a difference.

The second paragraph should offer the best arguments for why the request should be granted. The argument can be based on research, quotes from experts or other public officials or powerful anecdotes. The letter should not contain any personal attacks or threats, but rather a respectful and logical presentation of the issue at hand.

4. End with a Complimentary Close

When it comes to letter writing, a complimentary close is a polite way of bringing your message to a conclusion. Your closing should reflect the level of formality you wish to convey and your familiarity with the recipient. Choosing the right compliment can ensure your letter receives the attention and respect it deserves.

Several formal compliments work well in business correspondence, including sincerely, sincerely and respectfully yours. Others, such as best wishes and cordially yours, add a more informal touch. Avoid using casual letter signoffs like love, cheers, later, ciao or adios, as they convey a tone that is inappropriate for business letters.

When you include a complimentary close in your business letter, begin it on a new line following the last paragraph of the body of the text. If your letter is in block or modified block format, start the complimentary close flush with the left margin; if it’s in semi-block format, align it to the center. Leave four lines for a signature between the complimentary close and your typed name, and include your contact information directly below your signed name in ink. The letter is then ready for submission.

Example 1: To The President Letter (USA)

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]

The President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr./Madam President,

I am writing to express my concerns regarding an issue that I believe needs your immediate attention. As a citizen of the United States, I am deeply troubled by [describe the issue or situation you are concerned about].

[Provide detailed information and facts about the issue, including any relevant statistics or examples.]

This issue is of great importance to me and many other citizens of this country, and I believe that it requires your urgent attention and action. I am confident that you share my concern and commitment to addressing this issue for the betterment of our society.

I urge you to take necessary steps to address this issue and make a positive impact on the lives of the American people. I would be grateful if you could keep me informed of any actions that are taken or progress made on this issue.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your service to our country and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Example 2: To The President Letter (India)

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State PIN Code]
[Date]

The President of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi – 110004

Your Excellency,

I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of great concern that requires your urgent attention. As a citizen of India, I am deeply troubled by [describe the issue or situation you are concerned about].

[Provide detailed information and facts about the issue, including any relevant statistics or examples.]

This issue is of great importance to me and many other citizens of this country, and I believe that it requires your immediate attention and action. I am confident that you share my concern and commitment to addressing this issue for the betterment of our society.

I urge you to take necessary steps to address this issue and make a positive impact on the lives of the people of India. I would be grateful if you could keep me informed of any actions that are taken or progress made on this issue.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate your service to our country and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Example 3: To The President Letter (UK)

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Postal Code]
[Date]

The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing to express my concerns about a pressing issue that is affecting many people in the United Kingdom. [Describe the issue or situation you are concerned about in detail.]

[Provide supporting evidence and any relevant statistics or examples.]

I am deeply concerned about this issue, and I believe that urgent action needs to be taken to address it. As the leader of our country, I urge you to take immediate steps to address this problem and alleviate the suffering of those who are affected by it.

I would be grateful if you could keep me informed of any actions that are taken or progress made on this issue. I am confident that, with your leadership and the collective efforts of our government and citizens, we can overcome this challenge and build a brighter future for all.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]