Letters, Memos, and s

The Letter (Used generally outside the organization)  Return Address  Date  Inside Address  Salutation  Body  Complimentary Close  Signature  Reference Initials  Enclosures  Copies

The Memorandum (Used within the organization)  To:Name, position  From:Name, position  Date:  Re:  No signature is required

The Perfect Letter and Memo will employ the following:  A “You” attitude (Know your audience!)  A three paragraph structure (minimum)  A Beginning paragraph that Informs and is Positive  A Middle paragraph(s) that makes the major point(s) and employs Numbering or Bullets  An Ending paragraph that Summarizes and Points the Way Ahead  Concise language and good grammar

Things to do in Letter and Memo Writing  Use proper letter or memo format  Say something positive in your introduction  Introduce numbering/bullets from a middle paragraph  Use a colon to introduce numbering/bullets  Ensure correct parallelism in your numbering  Write as you would speak  Use a “you” attitude: what’s in it for the reader?  Use a short concluding paragraph

Things to do in Letter and Memo Writing  Be positive: eliminate negative references “I’m sorry I could not”, “I hope this has not inconvenienced you”  Sound like an equal, not a parent: be courteous  Write as you would speak: avoid business jargon like “It has been brought to my attention”, “Please feel free to”  Spell correctly: receive, unfortunately, occasion, sincerely, inconvenience, etc.  Use “myself” very rarely: Wrong: “Mr. Jones and myself are going home.” Wrong: “He took Joan and myself home.”

Common Business Writing Errors  Yours Sincerely / Yours Truly  Dear Ms. Smith;  Although I do not…  Convience, recieve  It has been brought to my attention…

Benefits of workplace  Better for the environment  Faster  Easily tracked

When writing workplace s:  Consider your audience No “texting” Clarity, length privacy

When writing workplace s:  Pay attention to format Subject line Precision  Punctuation, Grammar, Spelling

Punctuation  Here’s a classic example to illustrate the importance of punctuation – it’s been around for sometime – I wish I could claim credit for it, but I can’t:  Version 1  Dear Jon:  I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy – will you let me be yours?  Gloria

Punctuation  Version 2  Dear Jon:  I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?  Yours,  Gloria

Spelling  Why Spelling Chequers are Knot Too Bee Trusted  Eye have a spelling chequer  It came with my pea see  It plainly Marx four my revue  Miss steaks I cannot sea.  I’ve run this poem threw it,  I’m sure your please to no  Its letter perfect in it’s weigh  My chequer tolled me sew  “Ewe can bee rite and wrong at the same thyme!”

When writing workplace s:  Consider the medium Does your message need to be secure? Is your of a sensitive nature? You cannot ensure your will only be read by its intended recipient.