BUSINESSCORESPONDE

NT

BYFITRIS R,S.S, M.pd

OBJECTIVES state the meaning of Business

Correspondence.

explain the importance of Business Correspondence;

describe the essential qualities of a good business letter.

identify the various parts of a business letter.

recognize the different types of letter

Meaning of Business Correspondence Communication through

exchange of letters is known as correspondence.

Communication through

exchange of letters is known as correspondence. We communicate our feelings, thoughts etc. to our friends and relatives through letters that may be called personal correspondence

A Businessman writes and receives letters in his day to-day transactions, which may be called Business Correspondence.

business letters may be defined as a media or means through which views are expressed

and ideas or information is communicated in writing in the process of business activities

Business letters are sometimes called "snail-mail" (in contrast to email which

is faster). Business letters includes:

· Letter - Fax· Email - Memo

IMPORTANCE OF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE

1.Help in Maintaining Proper Relationship

Now-a-days business activities are not confined to any one area or locality. The businessmen as well as customers are scattered throughout the country. Thus, there is a need to maintain proper relationship among them by using appropriate means of communication

.

2. Inexpensive and Convenient Mode

Though there are other modes of communication like telephone, telex, fax, etc. but business information can be provided and obtained economically and conveniently through letters.

3. Create and Maintain Goodwill

Sometimes business letters are written to create and enhance goodwill. Businessmen at times send letters to enquire about complaints and suggestions of their customers. They also send letters to inform the customers about the availability of a new product, clearance sale etc. All this results in cordial relations with the customers, which enhances the goodwill of the business.

4. Serves as Evidence

We cannot expect a trader to memorize all facts and figures in a conversation that normally takes place among businessmen. Through letters, he can keep a record of all facts. Thus, letters can serve as evidence in case of dispute between two parties.

.5. Help in Expansion of Business

Business requires information regarding competing products, prevailing prices, promotion, market activities, etc. If the trader has to run from place to place to get information, he will end up doing nothing. It will simply result in loss of time. But through business letters, he can make all enquiries about the products and the markets. He can also receive orders from different countries and, thus enhance sales.

Definition of “Letter”

Letter“A written or printed communication directed to

a person or organization.”

(http://education.yahoo.com/ reference/dictionary/entry/letter)

Letters may be created and sent as: E-mail or electronic transmissions (including faxsimiles) Hand-delivered transmissions Regular mail transmissions

Two categories of letters Business Letters (format writing; more

formal writing that may share elements of

essay writing)

Personal Letters (often informal; may be

addressed to a friend or familiar

acquaintance about a personal subject; may

regard a personal problem, issue or even a

personal business matter pertaining to ones

personal finances or personal legal matters)

Who writes Business Letters

Letters are written from a person/group, known as the sender to a person/group, known in business as the recipient.

Some examples of senders and recipients:

· business «» business· business «» consumer· job applicant «» company· citizen «» government official· employee «» employee· staff member «» staff member

Why do we write letters?

InviteInvite ApologizeApologize

CongratulateCongratulateCommiserateCommiserate

ComplainComplain OrderOrderInquireInquire

AcknowledgeAcknowledge

ExplainExplain

ApplyApply ThanksThanks

• Acceptance Letter (yes / legal)

• Acknowledgement Letter (Receipt)

• Adjustment Letter (legal document /addresses a complaint /

claim)

• Application Letter (request job consideration /

interview)

• Complaint Letter (a legal document)

• Cover Letter (accompanies resume or order)

• Inquiry Letter (posing a question)

• Order Letter (request letter)

• Refusal Letter (reject an offer)

• Response Letter (answers inquiry)

• Sales Letter (marketing)

COMMON TYPES OF BUSINESS LETTER

Source: Business Letters. Retrieved Dec. 3, 2007, from http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/documents/business_writing/business_letter/

BUSINESS LETTERTYPES

.

Business-to-business type

• intended for company to company communication

Business-to-client type

• Intended for company to outside the company

BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS

Appreciation Letter - a letter of gratitude

and appreciation for help extended, or a

good business deal. o Thank you - is a letter of gratitude. o Congratulations - is a letter that praises

the recipient for a job well- done o Letter of Recognition - a written

statement of recognized efforts similar to

an appreciation letter. o Letter of Reference - is a character

reference letter. It is a letter building up

the character of a person to be accepted

in a job. 

o Recommendation - is an endorsement letter to hire a certain person. Sympathy letter - is a letter of condolences to a person or family.

 o Invitation letter - is a letter persuading a person or a company to join an event or an occasion. 

o Letter of credit - is a way of endorsing a certain business to be considered a credit loan. . 

o Letter of interest - a reply to an invitation that confirms presence on

the event/occasion. 

o Business memorandum - notices

that are distributed to the staff. They

are reminders of company activities, or

imminent changes in the company.

o Business introduction - is done to introduce a new business to the

readers

BUSINESS -TO-CLIENT

1.Business Enquiry Letter The letter written to sellers to know

the details of the goods which they want to buy, like quality, quantity, price, mode of delivery and payment

2. Quotation Letter After receiving the letter of enquiry

from a prospective buyer, the sellers supply the relevant information by writing a letter that is called quotation letter

3. Order Letter Letters written by a buyer to the

seller giving the order to purchase the goods is called order letter.

4. Complaint Letter A complaint letter is written when

the purchaser does not find the goods upto his satisfaction.It is normally written by the purchaser when he receives wrong, defective or damaged goods or receives incorrect quantity of goods

5.Recovery Letter The letter written by the

seller for collection of money for the goods supplied to the buyer

6 Welcome Letter - welcomes the

client and thanking him for choosing the company. 

o Letter of Appreciation - thanks the client for having business with the company. 

o Apology Letter - asking the client for reconsideration, and apologizes for failing to deliver. 

o Collection Letter - notice outstanding payments due.

o Invoice Letter Template - this is asking the clients to state the invoice number of their transactions. 

o Letter of Invitation - inviting a

client to join a certain gathering. o Marketing Letter - is stating the

newest products that the company

will provide soon or is presently providing. 

o Rejection Letter - is stating the

rejection of the client's request.

PART OF BUSINESS LETTERS

ESSENTIAL PARTS NON- ESSENTIAL PARTS

THE ESSENSIAL PARTSOF LETTER

1. Letterhead (logo)

2. Date

3. Inside Address

4. Salutation

5. Body

6. Complimentary Closing

7. Signature (Writer’s name /type

N)8. Enclosure (add if You

send something)9. (Subject) Carbon Copy N.

2

3

4 5

6

7

9

1

8 \

LETTER HEAD The letter head is the heading

at the top of a letter.

It usually consists of the name, address, telephone number and fax number of the company.

The letterhead can be typed out but it is usually printed on the company’s stationery

RETURN ADDRESS

2650 Jean Way West Jordan Utah 84084

Phone 1 801 569 9463 Fax 1 801 784 6734

If you do not have a letter head, you must write your name, address and telephone number at the top of the page or above the inside address

DATE The date is used to indicate the

date the letter was written. If your letter is completed over a

number of days, use the date it was finished and mailed.

When writing to companies within the United States, use the American date format. (The United States-based convention for formatting a date places the month before the day.

For example: June 11, 2001. )

If you are writing to England use the day/month/ year

If you are writing to China use

the year/month/day Depending which format you

are using for your letter, either left justify the date or center it horizontally.

Write out the date two inches from the top of the page.

INSIDE ADDRESS

Name of addressee with title Address of Receiver

Example: Mr. A. W. Raja, M.A, P.hd General Manager, ABC Corporation, P.O. Box 1022 Islamabad.

If you do not have the person’s name, do some research by calling the company or speaking with employees from the company

Follow a woman’s preference in being addressed as:

Miss, Mrs., or Ms.

If you are unsure of a woman’s preference in being addressed, use

Ms.

If there is a possibility that the person to whom you are writing is a Dr. or has some other title, use that title.

Usually, people will not mind being addressed by a higher title than they actually possess.

SALUTATION Use the same name as the inside

address, including the personal title.

If you know the person and typically address them by their first name, it is acceptable to use only the first name in the salutation (i.e., Dear Lucy:).

In all other cases, however, use the personal title and full name followed by a colon.

Leave one line blank after the salutation.

Dear Personnel Director,

Dear Sir/Madam/Sirs (Name not used) use if you don't know who you are writing to

Dear Mr., Mrs., Miss or Ms (use if you know who you are writing to.

VERY IMPORTANT use Ms for women unless asked to use Mrs. or Miss

Dear Dr/Mr/Mrs/Miss Raja, Dear Colleague Dear Customer use in friendly context (or would-be friendly, e.g. for selling or conciliatory letters). Established relationships. Implied relationships

Dear Frank . Dear Javed/ sadia My dear Javed / sadia (use if the person is a close business contact or friend/ close, informal relationships, more personal)

A Business letter’s text starts with a simple and professional greeting such as, The Word Dear, Mr./Ms./Title, &

Last name of Person: ExamplesDear Dr. Smithsonian:Dear Ms. Cleopatra:

The difference between personal and business letter greetings is that a colon (:) follows the greeting of a business letter and a comma (,) follows the greeting of a personal letter

BODY

A generally acceptable format for the body of most business letters is block style, with no indentions or centering of any parts.

Paragraphs should also be single spaced within the paragraph and double spaced between different paragraphs.

BODY

Semi-block Paragraph

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Block Paragraph __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL LETTER

LAYOUTS

/ STYLES

http://www.englishplus.com/grammar/00000144.htm

1. Block Style

(Simplified) Letter FormatSAMPLE

Signature Block: Align this with the Complimentary Close. Leave four blank lines to sign your name. Don’t forget to sign your name exactly as you typed it. Your title is optional and depends on the relevancy and degree of formality you need or want to establish.

Source:http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/letters/l/bl_mblock_p.htm

Letter head

Everything flush to left margin with no indents.

2. Modified Block Style

Letter FormatSAMPLE

Paragraphs are not indented;

however, these parts of the letter are centered:

• Sender’s return address

• Date letter written• Complimentary

closing • Sender’s

signature/title

http://www.englishplus.com/grammar/00000144.htm

Explanation for layout :1. Letter Head2. Date3. Inside Addres4. Salutation5. Body of the Letter6. Complimentary

Close7. Signature8. Enclosure9. Subject10. Carbon Copy

Notation11. Postcript12. Reference

Modified Block Style

Company Logo or Letterhead

March 15, 2007

Mr. John Smith, Director of OperationsSomeGroup Group100 SomeStreet DriveSometown, Alabama 34567

Dear Mr. Smith:      

Thank you for your inquiry about Semi-Block format for letters. What follows is a quick summary of the format and the conventions it uses.      

Semi-block format or style is frequently called modified semi-block because it is a slightly less formal modification of full block format. This letter style places the date line in alignment with, or slightly to the right of dead center. Another option for placing the date line in semi-block is flush right. Similar to full block, semi-block places the inside address, salutation and any end notations flush with the left margin. However, unlike full block, each body paragraph of semi-block is indented five spaces. The complimentary close and signature block are aligned under the date.

     This page illustrates the spacing and layout of semi-block format. Both full block and semi-block formats generally contain all of the necessary parts of a letter.

Sincerely yours ,

Dr. Sheila Carter-Todd

3. Semi-block Style Letter

FormatSAMPLE

Indent paragraphs 5 spaces. Everything else is flush at the left margin.

Explanation for layout :

1. Letter Head2. Date3. Inside Addres4. Salutation5. Body of the Letter6. Complimentary

Close7. Signature8. Enclosure9. Subject10. Carbon Copy

Notation11. Postcript12. Reference

 Semi Block Style

Hanging Style

Full Block Style / American Style

Indented Style / British Style

Business Letter Body Content

Each paragraph in the business letter should contain different topics.

The first paragraph should grab attention and state the reason for the letter.

The middle paragraphs, as in most letters, should support your reason and go into details.

In the final paragraph, it professional etiquette for the writer to thank the reader for taking his or her time to read the letter.

COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE

The end of a business letter marks the biggest difference between business and personal letters.

The ending of a business letter usually states ‘Sincerely,’ followed by three blank lines for the writer’s signature and then

the writer’s typed name.

Yours sincerely, Sincerely Sincerely yours, Yours faithfully, Faithfully yours, Yours cordially, Cordially Cordially yours, Yours truly, Truly yours,

Example of Complimentary Close

Cordially yours,

Your’s Sincerely

Yours sincerely, √

SIGNATURE AREASignNameDesignation

Example: __________________

Saleem AzmatMarketing Manager

Read this Sample Business Letter (Letter of Application) below.

    6123 Farrington RoadTroy, Alabama 27514January 11, 2007

Taylor, Inc.Mr./Ms. S. Student, Human Resources Director694 Rockfoot LaneDurham, North Carolina 27708

Dear Mr./Ms. Student:

I just read an article in the News and Observer about Taylor's new computer center just north of Durham. I would like to apply for a position as an entry-level programmer at the center.

I understand that Taylor produces both in-house and customer documentation. My technical-writing skills, as described in the enclosed resume, are well suited to your company. I am a recent graduate of Troy University in Troy, Alabama, with an Associate's Degree in Computer Science. In addition to having taken a broad range of courses, I served as a computer consultant at the college's computer center where I helped train computer users on new systems.

I will be happy to meet with you at your convenience and discuss how my education and experience match your needs. You can reach me at my home address, at (919) 233-1552, or at crock@devry.alumni.edu.

Sincerely,

Raymond Graduate

This letter is written in Modified Block Style. Indent the sender’s address, letter date, complimentary close, & signature. Everything else is flush to the left margin. Single Space throughout, except double Space between new paragraphs. Center letter on the page.

Sender’s Return address

Complimentary Closing

Sender’s Signature

Inside address(receiver)

Letter-writing Practice Exercise: Response letter

Behave as if you have just received the Letter of Application in the before slide.

You must notify the person that he or

she did not get the job and that your company has recently filled the advertised position.

Write a one-paragraph letter to the applicant. (See upcoming slide for a suggested approach to writing the letter.)

Suggestions for Responding Reminder to supply address

information. Include salutation. Acknowledge receipt of the application

package. Thank the applicant for his interest. Notify the applicant that the position

has been filled. Let the applicant know that you will

keep the application packet on file.

NONESENTIAL PARTS

1. Enclosure

2. Subject

3. Copy Notation

4. Post-script

5. Reference initial

1. EnclosureThe notation alerts the receiver to check for enclosure. It is usually typed a single or double space under the reference initial. It also reminds whoever prepares your envelope for mailing that something is to be enclosed. For an attachment that word may be typed in place of “enclosure”.Example:Enc. (or Encs, for more than one items)Enclosures 2 (two docs are enclosed)Enclosed: 1) CV 2) Attested copy of NIC

3) Attested Final Transcript

2. Subject

Subject Line helps tell your reader at a glance what your letter is about. It also helps in filing. It may or may not include the word subject. It is normally placed on the second line below the salutation and centered. It may be capital and lowercase or just capital and also underlined.Example:Subject: Summer 2007 Sales MeetingSubject: Summer 2007 Sales MeetingSubject: Summer 2007 Sales MeetingSUBJECT: SUMMER 2007 SALES MEETING

3. Carbon Copy Notation

When you want persons other than the addressee to receive a copy of your letter, the names of these persons should be typed just below the reference initials or the enclosure notation whichever is last. Type “cc” before the copy notation names if you are sending them a carbon copy. Type “c,”, “pc,” or “copy” if it is a photocopy. Recipient’s address may be included after their names.When you do not want the addressee to know that other persons are getting a copy of the letter, type “bc” (blind copy) or “bpc” ( blind photocopy) and the recipients’ names on the copies only.

4. Post-script

If you forget to write any thing in body of the letter, or if you want to emphasize or stress upon a point already in your letter or if you want to include a brief personal message (greetings) unrelated to the letter, a postscript, typed or handwritten (with or without “P.S.,” “PS,” or “PS:”) can be written at the end. Example: P.S., Please also send the rate list.

PS, Eid Mubarik PS: Mary Christmas and Happy

New Year

5. Reference Initial

Sincerely,

Signature

Umar TalalManagerUT/sn orUT:sn orUT:SN

Sometimes the writer and the signer of a letter are different people. At least the file copy of a letter should bear both their initials and as well as the typist’s.

Example:UT/sn/mak (signer, writer, typist)

M.R.ENGINNERING WORKS

46-B Mathura Road Faridabad , Haryana

Your Ref: NTPC/PUR/2010/95Our Ref :MREW/SALES/2010/72

The General ManagerNational Thermal Power CorporationBadarpur, Delhi

Kind Attention: Shri S.C. Sharma, Asst Works ManagerSubject : Your order No.1245 dated 12 May 2010Dear Sir,Thank you very much for your letter No. NTPC/PUR/2010/95 dated 12

May 2010. We are glad that you have sent an order for the machine tools.

The work on your order would have started by now, but I regret to say that two of our drawing accompanying the order are not quite clear. These drawings are enclosed.

Kindly Send the fair copies of the drawing through a courier so that we may start the work without any delay.

With Regards.YoursSd/-( Mahesh Malhotra)Proprietor

Enc l: Two Sheets of DrawingsCc : Account DepartmentPS : 12 %Vat tax would be included on each order.RK/MM

Example :

THE STYLE OF FORMAL LETTER IN AMERICA AND UK IS DIFFERENT FROM SOME

ASPECT.

AMERICAN STYLE1. HeadingAccording to the format, but usually aligned to the left.2. DateJanuary 17, 2009(month-day-year).According to the format but usually aligned to the left (two lines below the heading).3. SalutationDear Mr. / Mrs. Ana:Dear Sir or Madam:Gentlemen:After the salutation there is a colon (:)4. Complimentary closeSincerely,Sincerely yours,Yours truly,

BRITISH STYLE1. HeadingThe heading is usually placed in the top right corner of the letter (sometimes centered).2. Date17 January 2009 (day-month-year)Usually placed directly (or one blank line) below the heading.3. SalutationDear Mr. / Mrs. Ana,Dear Sir or Madam,Gentlemen,After the salutation there is a comma (,)4. Complimentary closeSincerely,Yours sincerely,Yours faithfully,

The following abbreviations are widely used in letters:

asap = as soon as possiblecc = carbon copy (when you send a copy of a letter to

more than one person, you use this abbreviation to let them know)

enc. = enclosure (when you include other papers with your letter)

pp = per procurationem (A Latin phrase meaning that you are signing the letter on somebody else's behalf; if they are not there to sign it themselves, etc)

ps = postscript (when you want to add something after you've finished and signed it)

pto (informal) = please turn over (to make sure that the other person knows the letter continues on the other side of the page)

RSVP = please reply

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN LETTER WRITING

TYPES OF PERSONAL LETTERS

Apologies Appreciation and Thank You:

For favors, kindness or generosity

Friendly letter Congratulations Personal Complaints Invitations Offering Condolences

(sympathy or get well)

Personal Letters . . . whether typed or handwritten, may include personal touches that reflect your style or personality.

                                                                                     December 4, 2007

Dear Maxwell,

I just wanted to take a moment to write to you to express my thanks for the extra tutoring help you gave me this fall as I struggled in my Math 1112 course.  People like you make our world a better place simply because you take the extra time to help others overcome fears and learn important skills. I think I can safely say, you are going to make a great math teacher one day!

You stand head and shoulders above others in the field of math and I so appreciate the information, time and patience you provided to me. So, once again, thank you so much for everything, and especially for encouraging me!

Best wishes,Rita Person

Salutation (Greeting)

Date

Complimentary ClosingSignatur

e

Special stationery

Example : A Letter To A Friend

•Write as soon as possible after the incident.

•Apologize, but do not go overboard by saying, "I am very, very, very

sorry."

•Keep it simple and to the point. Summarize what you are apologizing

for, and apologize only for the particular situation or problem. Be brief.

•Apologize cheerfully and sincerely. Do not express feelings of guilt.

•Explain what you will do to correct the mistake or situation.

•Do not put blame on another person and do not blame problems on

computer errors or carelessness.

Guidelines for Writing Apologies:

mm/dd/yyyy

To Betty Grimes,

I am writing to inform you that your daughter, Sarah, broke the front passenger window of my Ford Taurus while playing softball yesterday afternoon. The car is brand new. Hopefully, your homeowner's insurance will cover this kind of damage. Please check with them to see if it is covered. If they will not pay for it, I will get two repair estimates for you so that you can determine how you will pay for the repair. 

Perhaps we could meet this Saturday afternoon to discuss our options. You can reach me at (202) 555-1098. Thank you for your timely attention to this matter.

Thank you, Rita Green Rita Green124 HuckabeeLittletown, AL 34567

Sample Complaint Letter

When to Write a Personal Thank You, congratulations or Appreciation Letters

To thank or show gratitude for: Gift Group efforts Introduction to other people Invitations to speak Helpful advice or suggestions Personal favors Recommendations for position or awards References Sympathy Volunteers Graduations

Guidelines for writing personal appreciation / thank you letters:

State what you appreciate and briefly explain why.

Do not add other news or information not related to the appreciative gesture

Be brief, warm, and sincere. (Two to three lines should suffice.)

Example: Thank you for the character reference you provided to Troy University on my behalf. I truly appreciate your willingness to provide the reference, as well as your time and attention to completing it. Again, thank you, and best wishes. – Tina Applicant

Postcards may be used for short notes. Personal notes should be handwritten.

Writing an Invitation (Formal (Business) or Informal Events)

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Raphael-Leon

cordially invite you to a reception celebrating the engagement of

Mary Jane Raphael-Leone & Robert Wilson Yates

to be held Sunday, the sixth of June, in theyear two thousand and eight, at

six o'clock in the evening at

Pierre's Cafe 800 23rd Street NW

Washington, DC.

Semi-formal dressRSVP (202) 555-6908 yourself and one guest. Thank you.

Identify the host and type of

event.

Identify guests of honor (if

applicable).

Identify date/time/ location of event.

Specify dress (o

ptional).

Request RSVP to

know who

& how many guests to

expect.

Invitation for informal event

ENVELOPES

The quality of the envelope is just as important for first impression as the quality of the stationery. In fact, letterhead and envelopes should be of the same paper stock, have the same color ink, and be imprinted with the same address and logo. Most envelopes used by businesses are No. 10 envelopes (9 ½ inches long) which are sized to contain an 8 ½ -by-11-inches piece of paper folded in third. Some occasions call for a smaller, No. 6 ¾, envelope or for envelopes proportional to fit special stationery.

Next slides show the two most common sizes.

BUSINESS ENVELOPE FORMAT

PERSONAL ENVELOPE FORMAT

BUSINESS LETTERFOLD