How to Write an Apology Letter
Sometime in the course of your life, you’re bound to run into an argument or disagreement with someone you know. Sometimes the argument ends peaceably, other times it doesn’t end so well (Tips on how to win any argument). If your disagreement falls in the latter category and you find yourself wanting to apologize, you can write an apology letter. Its non-confrontational medium will help you choose your words more carefully and make you sound more sincere. Here’s how to write an apology letter.
Write the apology letter by hand. Writing by hand instead of using a computer will make it more personalized. However, if you can only apologize through email or a message through a social networking site, it’s perfectly acceptable as well.
Start the letter with an apology, to make it clear what the letter is all about. It can be, “I’m so sorry” or “I want to apologize”.
apology letter
Follow the apology with clearly stating what it is that you did wrong. “I’m so sorry I got mad at you in front of all those people.” Or “I’m sorry I broke your prized trophy last week.”
You can try to explain why you reacted the way you did or even why you ended up making the regrettable action that led you to writing the apology letter. “I was under a lot of stress that day, and I really felt like I couldn’t take another question from anyone.” Don’t make it sound that you are justified for acting wrongly and don’t rationalize. Simply state your side of the matter and ending it with, “…despite all this, treating you the way I did was no excuse and again, I apologize.”
Take responsibility for the regrettable offense you did. Again, do it by stating it so by saying that you had no excuse for acting the way you did.
Follow up your apology with a promise not to act the same way again or repeat the offensive action to the person you’re addressing. Assure the addressee that you would never want to hurt anyone’s feelings that way you did by committing the regrettable action.
Conclude the letter by suggesting that you and the addressee meet up together for lunch or go out in a restaurant. A relaxed atmosphere and casual conversation can help show how sorry you really are about what transpired.
After sending the apology letter, don’t expect an instant reply from the addressee. It’s highly possible that he or she may be mulling it over before accepting your apology. If you’ve done something really bad, you may not even receive a response at all. Just be free of the negative vibes when you send that letter, and go on about with your life. For more information regarding this article, read how to apologize.