1. Writing a Business Letter

2. Purpose of a Business Letter
Request information
Request resources
Request a recommendation from an individual or group

3. Three types of business letters
Letter of request
Writing to ask for some information or some action
Letter of application
Writing to apply for a job, college etc
Letter of complaint
Writing to complain to someone about something

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Writing Tips After you have written a first draft…
Check for completeness
Check for appropriate voice
Check for correctness
Check for conventions