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Week 12 · Thank You, Helpers

Tuesday

Write the real note
// A real note, every job, and a celebration
⏱ about 15 min

Tuesday: Write the real note

Lucy the Ladybug sets out paper, a pencil and a nice card. "Draft first. Neat copy second."

Bennie the Bear writes: Thanks for stuff. He frowns. "That is not it."

Lucy taps the paper. "What stuff? Say the real thing."

Bennie tries again: Thank you for showing me how to fold towels in thirds. Now the shelf closes. He grins. "That is it."

Specific beats vague

A specific word names the real thing. A vague word could mean anything.

Thanks for stuff is vague. Thanks for showing me how to fold towels in thirds is specific.

Specific notes are better because the reader can picture the moment. That is what makes them smile.

VagueSpecific
Thanks for helping.Thanks for running the washer every Saturday while I sorted.
Thanks for being nice.Thanks for staying by me while I sewed on the button.
Thanks for everything.Thanks for walking the fire plan with me twice.
VAGUE OR SPECIFIC?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which thank-you is specific?
Which thank-you is vague?
Why is a specific note better?

How to write it

  1. Pick your person. One person, one note.
  2. Jot two exact things they did. Just a few words each.
  3. Write a draft using the five parts: greeting, what, why, closing, sign.
  4. Read it out loud. Fix anything that sounds vague.
  5. Copy it neatly onto the card and give it to them.
PUT THE NOTE-WRITING STEPS IN ORDER.
  • ?Jot two exact things they did
  • ?Write a draft with the five parts
  • ?Read it out loud and fix vague words
  • ?Copy it neatly and deliver it
  • ?Pick your person
WHY THIS EXERCISEPick, jot, draft, read, copy. Reading aloud catches the vague words.
Bennie's finished note
Dear Grown-up,
Thank you for showing me how to fold towels in thirds.
Thank you for letting me be the cold things helper.
Now the shelf closes and I know where everything lives.
Your helper,
Bennie
Do you write the draft or the neat copy first?
How many exact things should you jot down?
What do you do after the draft, before copying?
StatementTrue or false?
Thanks for stuff is a specific thank-you.?
Reading the draft out loud helps you find vague words.?
One note should thank ten different people.?
The neat copy comes after the draft.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEEach line is a step Bennie learned today.
What did Bennie learn to fold in thirds?
WHY THIS EXERCISEThat one exact detail is what made his note real.
Try it
Write your draft now, on scrap paper, with all five parts.
Read it to yourself out loud. Change any vague word.
Copy it neatly onto a card. Decorate it if you like.
Safety first
If you decorate with scissors, a grown-up does the cutting.
Glue sticks and crayons are yours. Anything sharp is a grown-up's.

A real note, written by you! Tomorrow Freddy starts the big review: every job, weeks one to six.

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