A business letter is written to ask questions, gain information, or to simply compliment a company. The letter will be very ‘business-like’ and follows a set accepted form or style that is used by all companies and businesses around the world.

Reasons for writing a business letter….

If you need to obtain information

Want to express an opinion about the company

If you want to complain, compliment, or clarify.

You have to ask yourself….Self? What are my favorite companies? Where do I shop the most? Who would I like to work for in the future? DO I have any suggestions for a company to make changes and/or improvements? This may be a letter or complaint as well .You may have bought a product that you dissatisfied with.

-Prewriting - Choose a company from your list that you have the greatest interest. This may be a company that could be a future profession.

AppleRed RobinTargetRite AidClaires

Prewriting - Search the internet, phone book, newspaper classifieds or a business directory to find the address of a business you'd like to contact. This may be somewhat tedious.

When looking for the address look for these titles under the “Contact Us” link

-Customer Service

-Customer Care

-Consumer Care Department

When you are looking for the address, pay attention to the phone numbers as well. Sometimes they will only give the phone number to their customer service department. You may need to call and ask for the address.

If you want to write a letter to a company that you may want to work for one day, then you will need to research the company of interest through the internet.

1. Why are you writing this company?2. What is so great about this company? Think

of at least three main points as to why this is your company of choice.

3. Note questions you may want to ask in your letter. Asking questions will help in generating a response.

You will need to create an outline that will help guide you

The introduction is the purpose-why are you writing to them

The body will include the three reasons you wrote to them, including examples

The closing will include questions you may have for them. By asking questions it will prompt them to reply to your letter.

The business letter is made up of six basic parts.-The Heading- the senders address and full date-Inside Address-specific name or department,

address, and name of the company you are writing to

-Salutation-Dear(department or name of manager)-Body-the main reasons and examples of why you

are writing the letter-Closing-Yours Truly or Sincerely-Signature-end the letter by signing your name in

ink between the closing and your typed signature