writing a business letter. purpose of a business letter request information request resources...
TRANSCRIPT
Writing a Business Letter
Purpose of a Business Letter
Request information
Request resources
Request a recommendation from an individual or group
Three types of business letters
Letter of request
Writing to ask for some information or some action
Letter of applicationWriting to apply for a job, college etc
• Letter of complaint• Writing to complain to someone about
something
Format
Beginning- Introduces yourself and your request
Middle- Provides details of the request
Ending- Expresses thanks and tells them specifically what you want from them
Parts of a Business Letter• Heading- includes writer’s (you) complete address and
the date – Do not include your name– Do not abbreviate anything (ie. Date, address, person’s
title)• At least 1 inch from top of page, left justified
• Inside Address- Reader’s (person you are writing to) name and address– 4-7 spaces down from the heading• Includes company name• Person’s title• If not writing to a specific person, begin with the name of
the organization or business
Parts of a Business Letter
• Salutation- Greeting, always end with a colon
• Body- Main part of the letter• Do not indent (block format)• Single--spaced• Double- space between sections/paragraphs,
not between each line• Use formal language- no contractions, slang,
conversational speech• Beginning- states why you are writing• Middle- provides details• End- focuses on what should happen next
Parts of a Business Letter
• Complimentary closing- after the body.• Capitalize the first word of closing and put a
comma after the closing.• Sincerely, • Yours truly,
• Signature- ends the letter.• If typing the letter, leave four spaces under
the closing; then type your name.• Sign your name in blue or black ink only
Writing Tips
• Before you write….• Determine your purpose• Gather information• Consider your reader
• As you write….• Keep it short ( 1 page only)• State your request• Be courteous• Focus on the outcome• Be reasonable
Writing Tips
• After you have written a first draft…• Check for completeness• Check for appropriate voice• Check for correctness• Check for conventions