Book excerpt: A gentleman knows the importance of effectively expressing, in three or four sentences, his thanks for a gift or for a job interview, conveying his sympathy, or saying he is sorry. A Gentleman Pens a Note takes away the fear and discomfort a man experiences when faced with the task of writing a note by giving instruction and example in the proven style of the other GentleManners books. A Gentleman Pens a Note contains examples of more than 40 different handwritten notes, as well as sentences to avoid. It also includes aphorisms and sidebars on subjects such as stationery, pens, and pre-printed notes. A gentleman does not expect a response when he has sent a thank-you note (or even a thank-you gift). A gentleman knows that words such as "Thank You," "Congratulations," or "With sympathy," will mean a great deal more written in his own hand than when gold-embossed by a printer.