Why write an apology? An apology can be an important and necessary step
in repairing a damaged relationship. It can reduce the level of impact on
person harmed, and shows that you understood how your actions affected
them. An apology indicated that you are taking accountability for your
actions. For the person harmed, receiving an apology may help them begin
to release their anger, hurt, and/or fear and begin to heal.
- Describe what happened in detail: “I need to apologize to you for…..”
- Acknowledge the harm caused to the person you are apologizing
to: “I understand that in response to my actions you….” - Recognize the harm caused and take responsibility: “What I did was
wrong because…” - State your regret: “I apologize that I ______ and that you were _____”
- State a goal to behave differently in the future: “In the future I will….”
- Be sincere.
Please fill out the questions below that feel relevant to help you generate ideas for your apology letter. Once you have completed this worksheet, you will get an email with your responses. Please use those responses and the bolded sentence stems at the top, to write a letter to the person harmed. For example,
Dear (Person Harmed),
I need to apologize to you for… I understand that in response to my actions you… What I did was wrong because… I apologize that I ______ and that you were _____. In the future I will….
Sincerely,
(Your Name)