1. ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS
NAME____________________________________________________________PERIOD_______DUE DATE _________________________________________
Sharing Information Through A Business Letter
One of the skills we will be fine-tuning this year is writing business letters. There are various reasons for writing a business letter. You can write a business letter to express your opinion; to make a complaint and describe a problem with a product or service; or to apply for a job, an award, or a scholarship.
Remember, a business letter is a formal letter. Keep your audience and purpose in mind when you write a business letter. You should keep your letter brief and to the point and limit your letter to one page. Avoid being too wordy. For example, say “Thank you for your help” rather than “Thank you for your kind assistance in this matter.”
THE ASSIGNMENT
For this assignment, you will be writing a business letter to me (Mrs. Doddato). In this business letter you will describe one of your academic strengths and one of your academic weaknesses. You will also set an action oriented goal for this academic year and describe the steps you will take to achieve this goal. Be sure to use the brainstorming worksheet to help you plan your letter and the checklist to ensure you have completed all requirements for this assignment.
ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS
(1) Letter must be written in the block format.
(2) Your final letter must be typed, using 12 pt. Times New Roman font.
(3) Paragraph #1: Describe one academic strength and one academic weakness.
(4) Paragraph #2: State your action oriented goal and describe the steps you will take to achieve this goal.
(5) FCA’s:
(a) Letter contains one academic strength and one academic weakness. (10 points)
(b) Letter contains an action oriented goal. [Goal is underlined.] (10 points)
(c) Business letter format is followed correctly. (-2 points for every missing or incorrect component)
“The World makes way for the man who knows where he is going.”
~ralph waldo emerson
Action Oriented Goals
An action oriented goal is completely dependent on the effort put forth by the person pursuing the goal. For example, stating that you want to make an A in English would not be an action oriented goal because there are variables that are out of your control. The teacher decides what assignments and projects you must complete. Stating that you want to improve your grade in English is, on the other hand, an action oriented goal because you are in control of the amount of effort you put forth to achieve your goal. For this assignment, you need to think of an action oriented goal and the steps you will take to achieve your goal.

2. Writing a Business Letter
Letters follow a variety of formats. For this assignment, you will be required to follow the format below. This is known as the block letter format. There are six major parts of a business letter.
(1) Heading: This is the address of the person sending the letter. It includes the street address; the city, state, and zip code; and the date. Notice that it does NOT include the name of the person sending the letter.
(2) Inside Address: Located below the heading, the inside address is the address of the person receiving the letter, also known as the recipient. The inside address includes the name of the person receiving the letter; the street address; and the city, state, and zip code. Notice that the inside address also includes the title (if known) of the person receiving the letter and the name of the business or establishment where the office of the individual is located.
(3) Salutation: This is the greeting. It is always best to address your letter to a specific person.
(4) Body: Similar to an essay, this is the part of the letter where you state your opinion, request, or complaint. It is also the part of the letter where you give evidence and support for your claim. Remember, a business letter should be brief and to the point. A busy person is more likely to read your letter if it is brief.
(5) Closing: Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: Sincerely, Respectfully, Thank you. When writing your closing, remember that only the first word is capitalized (e.g., Thank you). There should be FOUR blank lines between the closing and your typed name.
(6) Signature Area: This is where you write your signature (the four blank lines between the closing and your typed name). Your signature should be written in ink, and it should be written in cursive. DO NOT USE SCRIPT FONT FOR YOUR SIGNATURE. Your signature is the last part of your letter.
A FEW TIPS
*Margins: 1” all sides
*Do NOT indent paragraphs
*FOUR blank lines between the closing and typed name
*Do not skip lines within the paragraphs
*Skip ONE line between each part of the business letter format
*Signature MUST be written in ink and in cursive
*You may use the school address in the heading instead of your personal home address
*Final letter MUST be typed, using 12 pt. Times New Roman font
*Review & follow your FCA’s
*Remember to revise, edit and proofread to avoid losing “no-nonsense” FCA points
1234 Brutus Drive Beavercreek, OH August 30, 2008
Ms. Kate Callahan, Superintendent Chadwick School Board Cherry Street Chadwick, OH 48276
Dear Ms. Callahan:
The teachers at Chadwick High School have different opinions about what students can wear to their classes. I think Chadwick should have a dress code.
A dress code would end arguments between teachers and students about what’s appropriate to wear to school. Having a dress code would mean that kids wouldn’t be so concerned over what they wear to school and could focus more on learning.
I think the dress code should allow jeans and plain tee shirts but not shirts or hats with slogans or pictures.
Respectfully,
Enrique Martinez, sophomore

3. Sharing Information Through A Business Letter Brainstorming Worksheet
NAME________________________________________________________PERIOD_____DATE_______________________
Sharing Information Through A Business Letter Brainstorming Worksheet
The first stage of the writing process is known as “prewriting.” In this stage of the writing process, you explore your topic, collect information, and brainstorm your ideas using a web, cluster, list, or other graphic organizer. Below you will find one type of graphic organizer that has been designed to assist you with your business letter assignment. This is only one (of many) graphic organizers that you can use during the prewriting stage. Use the back of this worksheet if you need more space.
(1) Academic strength & why:
(2) Academic weakness & why:
Topic Sentence for Paragraph #1:
Paragraph #1:
List one academic weakness and one academic strength.
(1) One action oriented goal:
(2) Steps you will take to achieve this goal:
Topic Sentence for Paragraph #2:
Paragraph #2:
Give one action oriented goal and the steps you will take to achieve this goal.