INTRODUCTION TO THE BUSINESS LETTER Lesson One Makisha

INTRODUCTION TO THE BUSINESS LETTER Lesson One Makisha Knowles-Powell

LETTER WRITING Makisha Knowles-Powell

OBJECTIVES: You will be able to: • Define the term business letter. • Discuss the various types of business letters. • Differentiate between the formal and informal letter. Makisha Knowles-Powell

What is a letter? • A letter is a written message from one individual to another. • It is an important form of communication. Makisha Knowles-Powell

The Formal Letter • The formal letter is also known as the business letter. • It is different from the friendly or informal letter. Makisha Knowles-Powell

Friendly Letter Vs. Business Letter Friendly Letter 1. Written to friends or relatives. Makisha Knowles-Powell Business Letter 1. Written to professional or business persons.

Friendly Letter Vs. Formal Letter Friends/Relatives Makisha Knowles-Powell Business People

Friendly letter Vs. Business Letter Friendly Letter 2. Written in a conversational tone and style. Makisha Knowles-Powell Business Letter 2. Written in a formal tone and style.

Tone refers to a writer’s use of words. It is the feeling or sound of your writing. Your tone can be: • Rude • Polite • Business-like • Friendly In the business letter, your tone should be POLITE and BUSINESS-LIKE. Makisha Knowles-Powell

Friendly Letter Vs. Business Letter Friendly Letter Hey Girl, How are you? What’s up? Informal Tone Business Letter Dear Mr. Johnson: I am a student of H. O. Nash Junior High School. Formal Tone

Style The way you write, and include: • Word choice • Grammar • Sentence length • Sentence type In the business letter, your writing style should be FORMAL. Makisha Knowles-Powell

Why write a Business letter? Makisha Knowles-Powell 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Apply for a post Extend an invitation Complain After an apology Express thanks Give or ask for information Convey condolences Express a point

Types of Business Letters 1. Thank you letter 2. Letter of Invitation 3. Letter of Complaint Makisha Knowles-Powell

Let’s take a closer look Three types of Business Letters Makisha Knowles-Powell

1. Thank You Letter 1. The ‘thank- you’ letter is written when a person wishes to express appreciation to another person. Makisha Knowles-Powell

2. Letter of Invitation A letter of invitation is written to request an individual to attend an event. Makisha Knowles-Powell

3. Letter of Complaint A letter of complaint is a type of letter written to: • Address any type of wrong doing • Offense • Concern of unfair treatment or service Makisha Knowles-Powell

Do You Remember? Makisha Knowles-Powell

Let’s Review: 1. Name TWO differences between the friendly and the formal letter. Makisha Knowles-Powell

1. Name TWO differences between the friendly and the business letter. • 1. Tone and Style are different. 2. The Friendly letter is written to friends and relatives. The Business letter is written to business people. Makisha Knowles-Powell

Why might someone write a business letter? To complain 2. To say ‘Thank You’ 3. To invite someone to an event • 1. Makisha Knowles-Powell

See you next time! Makisha Knowles-Powell

References Anderson Jeff, Gallagher Kelly, et al. Writing Coach. USA Pearson Education, Inc: 2012 Lightbourn Avis, High School Language Arts, Business Letter Writing, 2012 Odell, Vacca, Hobbs, and Warriner Irvin, Elements of Language, 3 rd Course Teacher Edition, Publishers Holt, 2009 Makisha Knowles-Powell