Course Catalog / BMU 030 / Lesson 5 of 5

BMU 030

Quick review

1. What does must mean in a letter?

See the answer

You have to do it.

2. Which mail do you handle first?

See the answer

Must do mail, soonest date on top.

Why this matters

If you can say what a letter means in your own words, you really get it. It also helps when you ask someone for help.

In this lesson you will sum up a letter in two or three sentences. You will find free help for papers that are too hard to handle alone. Then you will fill out your Mail Decoder.

Start with what you already do

You already sum things up, like when you tell a friend about a show in a few words.

Common belief: Asking for help with a letter means I failed.

What is actually true: Some papers are hard for everyone, like court papers and leases. Free help exists for them.

Key words

summary

A short telling of the main points in your own words.

legal aid

Free help with civil legal problems for people with low income.

211

A free phone number that connects you with local help.

Say it in your own words

Use your four answers. Put them in two or three short sentences.

This sample uses the made up water letter from Lesson 1. Leave out the extra details. Keep what you need to act.

Free help

Get help fast with court papers, eviction notices, and anything with a near deadline. The IRS also says it can send its notices in large print, Braille, or audio if you ask with Form 9000.

Text version of this figure

The Mail Decoder. Your capstone, one letter at a time.

1. Step 1, Who, what, by when: From the four questions.
2. Step 2, Sort it: Must do, can do, or just so you know.
3. Sum it up: Two or three sentences.
4. Step 3, Next step: One thing, and the date.
5. Help if needed: 211, legal aid, the sender, or a reading program.

Source: LSC; United Way 211; National Literacy Directory; IRS (Oct 29, 2026).

Worked example: Kay's Mail Decoder

Part	Kay's answers
Who	Her landlord
What	Rent is going up $40 a month
By when	Starts March 1
Kind	Just so you know, with one must do: sign the new lease by Feb 15
Summary	My rent goes up $40 on March 1. I must sign the new lease by Feb 15. I will ask legal aid one question first.
Help	Legal aid, found on the LSC website

Kay is a made up example.

Practice: Sum it up

Write two or three sentences for this made up letter: what it is, what to do, and by when.

1. Dr. Lee's office. Your yearly checkup is due. Call 555 0199 to book a visit before June 30. Bring your insurance card.

Check your practice: feedback

1. A good summary: Dr. Lee's office says my yearly checkup is due. I need to call 555 0199 and book a visit before June 30. I should bring my insurance card.

Common mistakes

• Writing the whole letter again. Keep it to two or three sentences.
• Waiting too long to ask for help. Ask early, especially with court papers.
• Posting a photo of private mail online to ask what it means. Ask the sender, 211, or legal aid instead.

Check your understanding

Take it as many times as you like. Pick an answer, then open the feedback.

1. Which is a good summary of a letter?

1. Water bill. $48 due Nov 15. I will pay online.
2. A letter from the water company about my account.
3. The bill has a lot of numbers and a date.

See the answer and feedback

A is correct. Yes. It has who, what, when, and a next step.

B: It names the sender but not the amount, the date, or your next step. Review Say it in your own words.

C: It does not say which numbers matter or what you will do. Review Say it in your own words.

2. What can you call any time for help finding local services?

1. Call 411
2. Call 211
3. The sender only

See the answer and feedback

B is correct. Yes. 211 connects you with local help.

A: 411 is a paid phone book line. 211 connects you to local help for free. Review Free help.

C: The sender can help, but 211 covers more. Review Free help.

3. You get a court paper about your home and cannot pay a lawyer. Where can you look?

1. A paid online form website
2. The landlord's lawyer
3. Legal aid

See the answer and feedback

C is correct. Yes. Find legal aid near you on the LSC website.

A: Paid sites are not lawyers. Look for free legal aid. Review Free help.

B: The landlord's lawyer works for the landlord. Look for free legal aid. Review Free help.

Capstone rubric

This is your course project. It is checked on 6 rows: Who sent it, What it wants, By when, Must, can, or just so you know, Summary, Help if needed. See what Ready means on the Course project page.

When it is done, build it on the Course project page and press Check my project. Your certificate needs it.

Use it: your follow up plan

• In 7 days: Use the Mail Decoder on one more letter.
• In 30 days: Sort a month of mail, retake the self check, and see what changed.
• Put both dates on your calendar now.

Your job aid: print or save the Mail Decoder.

Keep learning

• BMU 050 Spot the Scam: tell real mail from fake (free).
• BMU 035 Is It True? Check Claims and Sources (coming soon).
• BMU 060 Writing That Works: write clear emails and notes (All Access).
• National Literacy Directory: free reading programs near you.

One question for us: What one change would make this course more useful for you?

Next up

You finished the lessons. Now take the Posttest. Score 80% or higher to pass, and retake it as often as you need. Then answer a short optional survey and get your Certificate of Completion.

Your certificate needs both the Posttest and your course project.

Key words: Course glossary (A to Z, with the lesson that teaches each one).

Stuck or have a question? Ask BMU Learner Support.

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