The document provides guidance on writing effective business letters. It discusses the key components of a business letter, including the letterhead, sender's address, date, inside address, subject, salutation, body, complimentary close, signature, enclosures, and copy notation. It also describes different types of business letters, such as inquiry letters, order letters, refusal letters, and more. Finally, it offers tips for writing clear, concise, and considerate business letters that follow appropriate formatting guidelines.

1. BUSINESSLETTER

2.  Itis aletter written in formal language,usedwhenwritingfromone
business organizationtoanother,orforcorrespondencebetweensuch
organizations andtheircustomers,clients andotherexternal parties.
 They are used for different purposes; like placing orders, making
inquiries’, making credit request, requesting claims and adjustment, to
apologize fora wrong or simply to convey goodwill. etc.
 Even today,they are very useful because it produces a permanent
record, theyareconfidential,formalanddeliverspersuasive,well-
considered messages.
 Styleofletterdependsontherelationshipbetweenthepartiesconcerned.
BUSINESS LETTER

3. 1-1.5”' [Your Name]4
|/4ddress]
[Phone]
[Date todgy] <
Re:[Towhat fhisletterrek• 1^
I
4 lincs
[CERTOED MAL]4
[PER SONAL{1
1 line
[Raup+nnL”s Name]4
[Canpany Name]
1 Iir e
1 line
1 line
1 line
AztenJiou {Recipient's Nai•e 4
Dear[Raclplcat's Nam+]!6
[5UBJECT]6
/
x
9
The -aci char sticoffullblocklettersisihateverything exwpt< 1D
Ie0ers are a little more formal fhan modfied block ktters
maybeaprepñnfed letterhead) igfishvAh fheleft may Full block
1 line
lfyour lelter isonly one pege, type ihe co-olñnercary close an4 optigngl
components asWarm below Otherwise. iypelhem onthelastpegeof
your letier. For the mmponenrs of continuation pages. on the ink
below to goto page 2of this letter.
1 line
Sincerely,-<
[S«gnalura]-<
[Your Nama. III+j
[klentificafion bilials] <
M0lo6zsrd6. [Numbdr] <
cc. {Name For Copy] a
{Name For Copy]
11
17
15

4.  Includesthecompany’slogo/symbol /name,address, ZIP,
telephone number, fax number, email address and website of
the company.
 Printed at the top center/left or the right side.
SENDER’S ADDRESS:
It is usually given in
the letter head, but if
there is none, the
Sender’s Name,
Address and Contact
details can be typed.
1. THE LETTER HEAD / THE SENDER’S ADDRESS

5.  Include a reference line to identify a file or case number,
invoicenumberoranyotherinternalidentifyinginformation,
if your company requires one.
 Somecompanies havespecificreferencecodes thatthey
place either inareferencelinebelow thedate, or atthevery
bottom of theletter.
REF.HMT/25/2005/114
2. REFERENCE

6.  Dateconsistsof the date, name of the month and the year.
 Ifthelettersheetincludesaletterhead,typethedatefrom2to3linesunder
theletterhead, else typeit under the returnaddress.
 Never send a letter without a date.
 The dateis written in two styles.
1. The British Method (ordinal numbers) : 4th
July,2012
2. The AmericanMethod(cardinal numbers) : July 4, 2012
 Never writelike7-2-12or 7/2/12 becauseitshowsthatthewriteriscareless
or
in a greathurry.
3. DATE

7.  Includes the name and address of the firm or the
individual
to whom the letter iswritten.
 Writtenontheleftside,besidethemargin,twospacesbelowthe
date- line.
 UseCourtesytitles beforenamesofthereceiver suchasMr.,
Mrs., Shri, Smt., Miss, Ms, Messrs, Dr, Prof., Capt., Maj.,
Col., Gen. etc.
 Theaddress canalsobeginwithajobtitleoradepartment(ifyou
don’t know the name). For e.g. : The Sales Manager,The
Accounts Department etc.
4. THE INSIDE ADDRESS

8. 5. SUBJECT AND RECEIVERS REFERENCE NO
 Subjectisusesothatthereaderimmediatelyknowswhatyourletteris
about.
 Use “Subject” or“Re”.
 Subject usually comes betweenSalutation andbody.
 The receiver's references i.e. the receiver’s pervious letternumber is
mentioned under the headingreference.
 This will enablethereceivertoeasilytakeoutacopyofhisownletter
from his files and understand the matter in the reply.
 e.g. Your Reference :MBM/SD/285/05 DATED 5th
oct.2005

9.  It is a compliment or greeting.
 Written beside the left hand margin,two spaces below
the Inside address and two lines above the body of
the letter.
 It is followedby a comma (,) or a colon(:).
 Salutation depends onthegender,type,numberorthesocial statusof
the personaddressed.
Ex: DearSir,
Dear Madam,
DearAmitDas,
DearMr. John,
DearNancy,
Dear Sales Manager,
Dear Customer,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Respected Sir,
6. SALUTATION

10.  Begins two spaces belowthe salutation.
 Containsthemessageortheinformationtobecommunicated.
 Mostimportant,lengthiest,prominentpart-writtenincorrect,appealing
and impressive style.
 Divided normally into 3 parts:
1) Introductoryparagraph
2) Middleparagraph
3) Closing paragraph
 Doublespace betweenparagraphs.
 If letter exceedsonepage,repeat therecipient's name,date,
reference/subject line and put page number.
 Continueyourletter threelines below theheading.
7. BODY

11.  It is written two spaces below the last line of the body.
 It is a polite way of saying “ Good bye”.
 It depends on the tone and degree of formality.
Formal: Respectfully yours, Sincerely, Yours faithfully
Informal: Cordiallyyours, Warm Regards,Best wishes
8. COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE

12.  Writtendoublespace below the complimentary close.
 Firstcomes Signature (pen written).Sign yourfirstandlast
name.
 Second line - type written name.
 Third line - business title.
 The signature acts as proof.
9. THE SIGNATURE AND DESIGNATION

13.  This line tells the reader to look in the envelope for more.
 WriteEnc./Encl./Enclosure below the signature block.
e.g. : Enclosure
Enclosures: 3
Enclosures : Check #231 for $500
 If you don't enclose anything, skip it.
10. ENCLOSURES

14.  If someone else has composed typed the letter for you, it is
common for them to indicate so with initials.
 Typicallyitisyour initialsinuppercasefollowedbytheother
initials in lowercase.
 SWA/KA - (composer/typist)
 SWA:KA
11. REFERENCE INITIALS

15.  When other people are to receive a copy of the
same letter,theirnamesarenoted eitherby their
ranksorby alphabetically.
 Writtenjustbelowthereferenceinitialsortheenclosure
whichever is last.
 Type “cc”before the names if sending a “carbon
copy(to)” and “pc” for photocopy (to).
CC: Jim Blue, Jennifer Louis
12. COPY NOTATION

16. 1. BLOCK
 Eachline of every part begins at the left margin.
 At least one line space betweeneachpart.
 Timesavingmethodandbeautifultolookat,alsoknownasAmericanstyle.
2. INDENT
 Newparagraphsbeginabout1.5centimeterstotherightoftheleftmargin.
 This style is also knownas Hanging style.
 Thismethodconsumesalotoftime,looksshabby,thereforeoutof
practice.
3. SEMI BLOCK/MODIFIEDBLOCK
 Somepartsaretypedinblockmethodandotherpartsareindented.
 Return address, date, closingand signature start just totheright
of the
center of the page or may be flush with the right margin.
 Mostwidelyfollowedmethodinourcountryspeciallyingovt.offices.
LAYOUT

17. block styie @ modified block style @ iI1der1ted style
§j

18. • Inquiry
• Order
• Refusal
• Acceptance
• Quotation
• Follow up orCancelation
• Compliance
• Complaints, Claims,Adjustments
• Settlement
• Collection
• Agency
• Sales letters
TYPES OF BUSINESS LETTERS

19.  OPENING
 MentiontheBestnews or summarise the main idea.
 MIDDLE
 Explanations, details, reader benefits, background.
 END
 Use goodwill ending.
 Positive friendly, clear statement of action desired, motivation
to action, willingness to help further,appreciation.
GOOD / NEUTRAL NEWS LETTERS

20.  Examples of Good/ Neutral news letters:
 Approving Credit
 Acknowledgements
 Acceptance letters
 Letters of Appreciation, Congratulations, Condolence
 Confirmations, Granting favors and other requests.
 Summaries
 Adjustments
 Transmittals
 Announcements
 Goodwill messages
 Thank your notes

21.  OPENING
1. Buffer
2. Begin with reader interest information.
3. Agreement, Appreciation, Assurance, Compliment, Cooperation.
4. Give good news (if you can grant any)
 MIDDLE
1. Present negative element as positively as possible.
2. Explanation and analysis of the circumstances.
3. Decision, implied or expressed with resale and or helpful
suggestions.
 END
1. Positive, courteous, friendly,firm and forwardlooking ending.
BAD / NEGATIVE NEWS LETTERS

22.  Examples of Bad/ Negative News letters
 Refusing Credit.
 Refusing adjustments on Claims and Complaints.
 Answering Non-Sales related inquiries.
 Declining invitations and requests for favours.
 Announcing a bad news about prices or services.
 Rejection Letters.

23. 1. COMPLETENESS: Letter should not lacks its
purpose. Provide all necessary information. E.g.
Order should not only mention quantity but also
size, price, packaging, delivery, transportation
charges, discount rates, payment item and condition
etc
2. CONCISENESS: Be to the point, avoid unnecessary
repetitions and include only relevant material.
3. CONSIDERATION: Focus on “you” instead on “I”
or “We”, Show reader benefits and emphasize
positive pleasant facts.
4. CONCRETENESS: Use specific facts and figures, put action in verbs and
chooseimage building words.
APPLY“SEVENC’S”OFCOMMUNICATION

24. 5. CLARITY: Choose precise, concrete and familiar
words. Construct effective sentences and paragraphs.
Reader should understands the matter in firstreading.
6. COURTESY: Whetherwritingacomplaint oraconcern,
be sincere, thoughtful, appreciative, courteous and
respectful. Offer to do whatever you can, within
reason, to be accommodating and helpful.
7. CORRECTNESS: Use right level of language. Double
check the facts,figures,dates, price,spellingandgrammar.
Maintain acceptable writingmechanics.

25. Starting • Weare/ I am writing
• to informyou that ...
• to confirm...
• to request...
• to enquire about…
Referring to
previous contact
• Thank youforyourletter ofMarch15.
• Thank you forcontacting us.
• Thank youforyourletter regarding...
• Withreferencetoour telephone
conversation yesterday...
• It was a pleasure meeting you in London last
month.
Making a request •Wewouldappreciate it if youwould...
•Inaddition, I wouldliketoreceive ...
•Itwouldbehelpfulif youcouldsendus...
•Iaminterestedin(obtaining/receiving)...
•Please let me know what action you propose
to take.

26. Offering help • Wouldyoulike us to ...?
• Wewouldbehappyto...
• Wearequitewillingto...
• Our company wouldbe pleased to...
Giving good
news
• Wearepleased toannounce that ...
• Iamdelightedininformyouthat..
• Youwillbepleasedtolearnthat...
Giving bad news
• Weregrettoinform youthat ...
• I'm afraidit would not be possible to...
• Aftercarefulconsiderationwehavedecided(not)to...
Complaining • I amwritingtoexpressmydissatisfactionwith...
• Pleasenotethatthegoodsweorderedon(date)
have not yetarrived.
• Weregrettoinformyouthatour ordern ----- isnow
considerably overdue.
• Iwouldliketoquerythetransportchargeswhichseem
unusually high.

27. • IMPORTANT: Draft your message, Revise, Edit, Rearrange
and Proof read.
• Maintain proper margins.
• Use the right font size, style and colour.
• Striketherighttone: bebriefandprofessional,don'tbetoobluntor
flattery.
• Use a quality pen to sign the letter and thoroughly read beforeyou
send it
• Neatly fold the letterintothirds and postitinaclean
envelope(with company logo).
• Neatlyprint/writeyourreturn addressandthe recipient's address on
theenvelope.
TIPS