Workplace Writing: Business Letter Writing Workshop Explanatory Text Prentice Hall Literature Common Core Edition Grade Nine Pg
Business Letter A piece of correspondence (communication) that you write when conducting (doing) business or handling professional matters
Business Letters Should be: – Clear – Direct – Courteous (polite) – Well formatted
Business Letters Can be used for: – Requests for information – Appointments – Interviews – Formal complaints – Formal commendations – Proposals
Business Correspondence Formats Letter Heading Inside address Greeting Body Closing Signature Subject line – short and to the point Greeting Body Closing Electronic signature
Assignment Write a business letter to a company in which you ask for information about a product or service you are interested in using. Include: – Formal polite language – A clear purpose – Relevant background – Error-free grammar – 2 copies, one formatted like a letter, one formatted like an
Audience The individuals that will or will most likely be reading your text
Business Letter Audience You are writing to professionals who work in the industry Your
Tone/Voice Voice – a writer’s own style of writing, includes word choice, sentence structure, and tone. Can be fast, slow, blunt, meandering, breathless, etc… Tone – the writer’s attitude toward the audience or subject. Can be formal, informal, serious, playful, bitter, ironic, etc…
Business Correspondences Voice: – Formal – Concise (to the point) Tone: – Professional/business like – Respectful
Business Letter Correspondences To keep a formal tone: Avoid slang and contractions (I have a beef, can’t, won’t) Replace causal language with formal expressions Include only essential information the person needs to answer your questions Follow formatting conventions
Tone Examples Casual I love riding bicycles. I have outgrown mine and want a new one really badly. Which is the best kind for me? How much does it cost? Formal I am planning on purchasing a new bicycle. I like riding on the street, but I mostly ride the bike trails with my parents. Would a mountain bike be best for me? Or would a hybrid better serve my needs? What is the price range for recreational bicycles like these?