The document provides guidance on writing a proper thank you note that goes beyond a simple preprinted card. It outlines the necessary parts of a thank you note, including the date, salutation, body, closing, and signature. The body should thank the recipient for what they have done, provide 1-2 insights learned, and highlight 2-3 memorable parts of their talk or experience. The example thank you note applies these guidelines in writing to two speakers who shared their Holocaust experiences.

1. A Thank You Note
Going Beyond Simple, Preprinted Cards
by Mr. Masenhimer
Mountain View Middle School

2. Purpose of a “Thank You Note”
 giving back to someone what you have been
given
 letting someone know what they have done
for you and how much it’s appreciated
 acknowledgment

3. Parts
 Date: goes in the top right hand corner (use
the right alignment icon at the top of your
word processor)

4. Parts Cont.
 Salutation: the greeting of a note. Since this is a
Thank You Note and informal, use a comma after
the salutation (please write to Eva, Les, or both).
 Now skip a line after the date, select left alignment
and enter salutation.

5. Parts Cont.
 Body: the writing of your note.
 Your first line must be: “I would like to take this opportunity
to thank you for sharing your experiences with me and my
peers.”
 Offer 1-2 insights you had about the Holocaust before the
visit.
 Give 2-3 pieces of the talk you either enjoyed, were
fascinated by, will remember forever, connections you made
to their experiences and our studies, or things that touched
you personally.

6. Parts: Body Cont.
 Be very specific to their talk
 The last line must be: “Thank you again for
your time, energy, and devotion to making the
world aware, one student at a time, of the
Holocaust and the ongoing genocides that are
still occurring.”

7. Parts Cont.
 Closing: after the body and before the
signature followed by a comma (Yours truly,
Sincerely, Much thanks, Come again, Thank
you, etc.)
 Still use the left alignment

8. Parts Cont.
 Signature: leave four lines between your
closing and your name to actually sign the
note with a black or blue pen.

9. Example
March 8, 2012
Dear Les and Eva,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing your experiences with me and my peers.
Like you, I made an unconscious promise to myself, and the people that lost their lives during the
Holocaust, that if I ever became an educator I would spread the knowledge of the horrors that
occurred and the ways to prevent a duplication of such events. I made that promise when I was 12
years old sitting at my homework desk reading the book Night cover to cover. I have continued my
studies of the Holocaust throughout the years, and now your personal testimonies have been added to
my repertoire of wisdom. Les, there were many things that you said that will forever stick with me.
The first line you opened your talk with was extremely powerful, “I owe my life and freedom to all of
those that served in World War II: My liberators.” To think that you began your powerful testimony
with thanking veterans was something I will never forget. Eva, the way you used such amazing details
to remember your mother was very touching and I feel like you carry her in your heart into each and
every presentation that you give. Thank you again for your time, energy, and devotion to making the
world aware, one student at a time, of the Holocaust and the ongoing genocide that is still occurring.
Take care,
David Masenhimer