1 ©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. WRITING DIRECT REQUESTS

2 ©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Kinds of Requests Placing orders Requesting information Requesting claims and adjustments Making credit requests Inquiring about people Issuing invitations

3 ©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Objectives Clearly state the main idea of each direct request Indicate confidence that request will be filled Provide sufficient detail for the reader to be able to comply with your request Clarify complicated requests with lists and tables Close with courteous request for action

4 ©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Deductive Plan for Direct Requests Make the request or indicate main idea Include the necessary details/questions or justification Close with action you desire and show appreciation with courteous tone

5 ©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. As a customer, have you ever been dissatisfied with product or service??? Ever made a claim ? The request can be useful for both you and company. How? As you make the request, think about it from an audience focus. What might you include in the request ?

6 ©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Make Complicated Requests Easy Remember to include any tables or lists that are clear in order to assist the person filling the request. Remember to ask specific questions that may assist the person. *Ask only questions that relate to request *Make your questions open-ended and objective *Cover only one topic in each question

7 ©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. In requests, think about answering all of these questions as you write. WHO ? WHAT ? WHERE ? WHEN ? WHY ? HOW ?

8 ©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Let’s now look at some examples from your text.

9 ©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. Your Mission Use these pointers as you draft your Project Two letter of inquiry.