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How Do You Write a Hidden Message Letter?

Published in Hidden Message Techniques 4 mins read

You can write a hidden message letter using an acrostic code, where the first letters of words or lines spell out your secret message.

Writing a hidden message letter often involves embedding your secret text within a larger, seemingly innocent message. One popular and effective method, as described in the reference, is using an acrostic cipher. This technique relies on the reader knowing which specific letters within the text form the secret message.

Understanding the Acrostic Method

The core principle of this method is simple:

  1. Break the word or phrase down into letters. Take the secret message you want to hide and list out each individual letter. For example, if your secret message is "MEET ME", you would break it down into M, E, E, T, M, E.
  2. These letters will be inserted into a larger body of text. You will construct a longer letter, email, or note where the first letter of certain words, lines, or sentences corresponds to a letter in your hidden message, in order.
  3. It's important that you use each letter of your phrase or word in the acrostic code. Every letter of your hidden message must be represented by the corresponding first letter in your cover text.

Think of it like creating a poem where the first letter of each line spells a word, but applied to a standard letter format.

Steps to Create an Acrostic Hidden Message Letter

Here's a step-by-step guide to crafting your hidden message:

  1. Choose Your Secret Message: Decide exactly what you want to communicate secretly (e.g., "BUY MILK", "GO HOME").
  2. Break Down the Message: List the letters of your secret message in order.
  3. Draft the Cover Text: Write a seemingly normal letter or note. This text should be plausible and not raise suspicion.
  4. Incorporate the Acrostic: Go back through your drafted cover text and modify or rewrite parts so that the first letter of specific words (often the first word of a sentence or line) matches the letters of your hidden message, in sequence.
    • Start a new sentence or line for each letter of your secret message.
    • Choose words that fit the context of your cover letter but begin with the required letter.
    • Ensure the cover text still reads naturally despite the constraints.
  5. Review and Refine: Read the letter aloud to ensure it flows well and doesn't obviously highlight the acrostic letters. Make sure you've used every letter of your hidden message exactly once, in the correct order.

Practical Example

Let's hide the message "COME".

Secret Message: C O M E
Letters: C, O, M, E

Draft Cover Text (Normal Letter):
Dear Alex,
How are you? I hope things are well. Please pick up some groceries. Everything is fine here.
Best,
Jordan

Revised Cover Text (with Acrostic):

Dear Alex,
Can you believe the weather today?
Our meeting is still on for Tuesday.
Maybe we could grab coffee beforehand.
Everything else seems to be proceeding as planned.
Best,
Jordan

In this revised letter, the first letter of each sentence spells out "COME". The recipient, if aware of the code, would know to look at the first letter of specific lines (or sentences) to reveal the secret.

Tips for Success

  • Keep the hidden message relatively short to make writing the cover text easier.
  • The longer the cover text, the less obvious the acrostic might be.
  • Use complete sentences or distinct lines for each letter to make it clearer for the recipient (if they know how to decode it).
  • The cover text should be believable for the context in which it's sent.

This acrostic method is a classic way to write a hidden message letter, relying on a pre-arranged understanding between the sender and receiver.