Form letter: Difference between revisions
imported>Citation bot Altered pages. Add: doi-access, authors 1-1. Removed URL that duplicated identifier. Removed parameters. Formatted dashes. Some additions/deletions were parameter name changes. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Jay8g | #UCB_toolbar |
imported>OAbot m Open access bot: url-access=subscription updated in citation with #oabot. |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Letter written from a template}} | |||
{{More citations needed|date=June 2025}} | {{More citations needed|date=June 2025}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} | ||
A '''form letter''' is a [[Letter (message)|letter]] written from a [[Template (word processing)|template]], rather than being specially composed for a specific recipient.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=DeWitt |first1=Tom |last2=Martin |first2=Drew |date=2009-10-09 |editor-last=Drew |editor-first=M |title=Writing a credible form letter: implications for hospitality and tourism service recovery strategy |url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/17506180910994578/full/html |journal=International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research |language=en |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=361–368 |doi=10.1108/17506180910994578 |issn=1750-6182}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ramanayake |first=R.P.J.C. |date=2013 |title=Structured printed referral letter (form letter); saves time and improves communication |journal=Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care |language=en |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=145–148 |doi=10.4103/2249-4863.117404 |doi-access=free |issn=2249-4863 |pmc=3894031 |pmid=24479068}}</ref> The most general kind of form letter consists of one or more regions of [[boilerplate (text)|boilerplate text]] interspersed with one or more substitution placeholders. | A '''form letter''' is a [[Letter (message)|letter]] written from a [[Template (word processing)|template]], rather than being specially composed for a specific recipient.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=DeWitt |first1=Tom |last2=Martin |first2=Drew |date=2009-10-09 |editor-last=Drew |editor-first=M |title=Writing a credible form letter: implications for hospitality and tourism service recovery strategy |url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/17506180910994578/full/html |journal=International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research |language=en |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=361–368 |doi=10.1108/17506180910994578 |issn=1750-6182|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ramanayake |first=R.P.J.C. |date=2013 |title=Structured printed referral letter (form letter); saves time and improves communication |journal=Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care |language=en |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=145–148 |doi=10.4103/2249-4863.117404 |doi-access=free |issn=2249-4863 |pmc=3894031 |pmid=24479068}}</ref> The most general kind of form letter consists of one or more regions of [[boilerplate (text)|boilerplate text]] interspersed with one or more substitution placeholders. | ||
Although form letters are generally intended for a wide audience, many form letters include stylistic elements or features intended to appear specifically tailored to the recipient. For example, they might be signed by [[autopen]] and use features such as [[mail merge]], which automatically inserts the names of the individual recipients. | Although form letters are generally intended for a wide audience, many form letters include stylistic elements or features intended to appear specifically tailored to the recipient. For example, they might be signed by [[autopen]] and use features such as [[mail merge]], which automatically inserts the names of the individual recipients. | ||
Latest revision as of 03:16, 30 June 2025
Template:Short description Template:More citations needed Template:Use dmy dates A form letter is a letter written from a template, rather than being specially composed for a specific recipient.[1][2] The most general kind of form letter consists of one or more regions of boilerplate text interspersed with one or more substitution placeholders.
Although form letters are generally intended for a wide audience, many form letters include stylistic elements or features intended to appear specifically tailored to the recipient. For example, they might be signed by autopen and use features such as mail merge, which automatically inserts the names of the individual recipients.
Uses
Form letters are often used as replies from people who get large amounts of correspondence, such as celebrities or politicians. This can lead to controversy if a form letter is used where a more personalised message would have been appropriate, such as when offering condolences.
Other form letters are used to notify candidates as part of an application process, such as acceptance or rejection letters from publishing companies, governing bodies, colleges, universities or prospective employers.
See also