Business
Business Letters
This handout will help you write business letters required in many different situations, from applying for a job to requesting or delivering information. While the examples that are discussed specifically are the application letter and cover letter, this handout also highlights strategies for effective business writing in general.The basics of good business letter writing are easy to learn. The following guide provides the phrases that are usually found in any standard business letter. These phrases are used as a kind of frame and introduction to the content of business letters. At the end of this guide, you will find links to sites that give tips on the difficult part of writing successful business letters – arguing your business objective.
The date line is used to indicate the date the letter was written. However, if your letter is completed over a number of days, use the date it was finished in the date line. When writing to companies within the United States, use the American date format. The Inside Address. This is the address you are sending your letter to. Make it as complete as possible. Include titles and names if you know them.Reference Line: If the recipient specifically requests information, such as a job reference or invoice number, type it on one or two lines, immediately below the Date (2).
Be careful about your choice of personal pronouns when you write a business letter. Your reader will interpret its point of view by the choices you make. Since your words will be on paper the reader will see, rather than hear how you talk, so check your sentence structure, grammar, spelling and punctuation.Readers and skimmers notice spelling and grammatical mistakes, so spell- and grammar-check your document. Remember, however, that a spell check will not help if you spell the word correctly but use it incorrectly. For example, the words “affect” and “effect” are often mistakenly interchanged. Consult a dictionary if you are unsure of your word usage.# Enclosures with business letters should be placed two vertical spaces below the identification line.Today, it is easier than ever to communicate with businesses, however just a couple of decades ago, there were only two or three ways to communicate with a business, they included phone, in person or included sending out a business letter. Business letters can be highly effective tools to achieve your purpose. With the informality of email, a business letter can get you the attention your request deserves.
