Free Lesson Plan: How to Address an Envelope

While sending letters is going out of fashion because of the Internet, some people don't have the Internet and need letters written. This means that it is important to know how to address an envelope. It is also important to know how to address an envelope because some jobs require resumes and other applications to be sent through the postal service.

You will need the following:

Envelope

Pen

Stamp

Return Address Label (Optional)

Scotch Tape (Optional)

Stuff the Envelope

Stuffing the envelope means putting what is going to be sent into the envelope. Once the paper and any other objects to be sent are inside, the flap needs to be licked (if it is not self-adhesive), folded down, and stuck to the back of the envelope on the side where it folds.

Adding the Return Address

The return address is important as it will let the post office know where the mail came from if the stamp is forgotten or falls off of the envelope somewhere between your hand and being delivered. If it is found to be without a stamp, the letter can be returned to the sender.

Turn the envelope so the side with the flap is on the table (and the flap is at the edge furthest away from you) or desk and the wide without the flap is facing up towards you. If you have return address labels, peel one off of the sheet of stickers. Then place it upright in the upper left corner of the envelope.

If you do not have a return address label, use the pen to write your return address in the upper left corner. There is a format to writing your return address.

On the first line, write your name. On the second lie, write your street address. This is your house or apartment complex number, the street's name, and any apartment or suite numbers. On the third line, write your city, state, and zip code. If sending internationally, be sure to include a fourth line where you write your country. This can be included in domestic mailings if you would like to include it.

Adding the Sending Address

The sending address is where the contents of the envelope are being sent. The envelope should be flap down towards the table and have the flap furthest from you. The sending address goes in the middle of the envelope. Be sure to copy it exactly as it is given. Most sending addresses will be the basic three lines just like a return address.

Add the basic sending address by trying to keep it about in the center of the envelope and write it clearly in print. The first line is probably the name. The second line is probably the street address and street. The third line is probably the cit, state, and zip code. There may be a country added on a fourth line.

However, if you are sending to somebody that happens to work in a tower or a suite, there may be more information on the sending address. If this is the case, copy the address exactly as given. There may be "care of" which is often abbreviated as "c/o" or other things such as suite numbers or office numbers.

Placing the Stamp

A stamp is payment for sending a letter. Mail men and mail women need to get paid as delivering letters is their job. It is important to place a stamp on a letter so it will go where it is supposed to go. Remember that heavier letters or letters going to other countries may need more than one stamp. You can find out the cost of sending the letter from your local post office or you may be able to find the information from the United States Postal Service website if you live in the United States.

With the envelope flap down near the table, but the furthest away from you, the stamp will be placed in the upper right corner. If the stamp is self-adhesive, peel it off the sheet of stamps and put it in the upper right corner of the envelope. If it is not self-adhesive, take the stamp, lick it, and then stick it in the upper right corner of the envelope.

It looks better if the stamp is placed upright matching the direction of the way the addresses are written. However, the letter will be delivered no matter which way the stamp is placed. As the letter goes through the postal system, it will arrive at an office where ink will be placed over the stamp indicating that the stamp has been canceled. This is so the stamp cannot be used again.

Optional: Making Sure the Envelope and Stamp are Secured

If you'd like to make sure that the envelope and stamp are secure, you can use scotch tape. Place a small amount at the edge of the stamp and a small amount at the edge of the flap of the envelope. Make sure the tape is also touching other parts of the envelope. Do not completely cover the stamp with tape as it will look like you are trying to keep it from being canceled. You only want to keep it on the envelope. Some people use stickers to hold the flap of the envelope down. These can be cute for recipients if they like them or if they go with the person's personality.

Diagram

If you did not understand this tutorial, a diagram of how to address an envelope can be seen at Parsley Postal Pals.

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