DEFINITION OF BUSINESS LETTER
A
business letter is a letter from one company to another, or between such
organizations and their customers issued by agencies or companies in order to
run their business. There are many
reasons to write a business letter, for example it could be to request direct information or action from
another party and to
order supplies from a supplier. A business letter is very useful
because it produces a permanent written record, confidential and may be taken
more seriously by the recipient than other forms of communication.
STYLE OF BUSINESS LETTER
A. FULL
BLOCK STYLE
Full block style is a letter format in which all text doesn’t
form a paragraph but its justified to
the left margin. In typing the full block style letter
usually starts from the left edge to the right line of the page, standard punctuation is placed after salutations and in
other headings. However, the composition or structure of
the letter is still valid.
B. BLOCK
STYLE
The
format of a business letter most frequently used is the block style. A block
style business letter is a typewritten form of communication that is formatted
with all parts aligned to the left margin, hence, the name “block.” A business
letter is used when corresponding with a representative from a business or
organization. Most commonly, a business letter is sent through the mail,
enclosed in a typed envelope. However, it may be sent electronically as an
e-mail attachment, or sometimes even as a fax.
C. SEMI
BLOCK STYLE
Semi
block style is a model of letters who has the right position on the date and
closing greetings. This letter has the same shape as the Full Block Style but the
difference is in semi block style position of dates, closing greetings, and
signature are on the right, both in the writing, typing and structure.
D. INDENTED
STYLE
An
indented letter style is a letter-writing style where the paragraphs are
indented. The position of the date, closing and signature start at the center
of the line. The paragraphs are typically indented by half an inch.
E. SIMPLIFIED
STYLE
Simplified style is almost similar as the full-block and semi-block style
but without any salutation and closing greeting. The simplified format left-justifies every line except for the company
logo or letterhead. Simplified style is the most useful at times when you
don’t have a recipient’s contact name. Because the simplified style doesn’t
require a salutation, you don’t need the person’s name.
The simplified format does away with unneeded formality while maintaining a
professional approach.
F. HANGING
IDENTATION STYLE
Hanging
identation style is a form letter in which the body of the letter has a hanging
paragraph. The first line of the paragraph begins at the left-hand margin and the
other lines of the same paragraph should be about three to five spaces.
This very useful style places the first words of each
paragraph prominently on the page. It is useful for letters that deal with a
variety of different topics. However, for normal business communications, this
style is very rarely used.
PARTS OF BUSINESS LETTER
- The
Heading – This includes the return address of the sender with
the date on the last line.
- The Inside Address – This
is the address you are sending your letter to. Make it as complete as possible.
- The Greeting – Also
called the salutation. The type of salutation depends on your relationship with
the recipient. It normally begins with the word "Dear" and always
includes the person's last name.
- The Body Paragraph – The body is
where you explain why you’re writing. It’s the main part of the business
letter. This section usually multiple paragraphs, ending with a summary of the
main message point. Add a blank line at the end of this part.
- The Closing – Most often, the letter body is followed by
“Sincerely” and a comma. It is either at the left margin or its
left edge is in the center, depending on the Business Letter Style that you
use. The traditional rule of etiquette
in Britain is that a formal letter starting "Dear Sir or Madam" must
end "Yours faithfully", while a letter starting "Dear "
must end "Yours sincerely". (Note: the second word of the closing is NOT capitalized).
- The Signature – This is the name of the sender, with the sender’s
title on the next line.
KINDS OF BUSINESS LETTER
A.
INQUIRY LETTER
A
letter of inquiry is a request for information about a product or service that
the writer believes the reader can provide. This
type of business letter tends to include specific information such as product
type, as well as asking for further details in the form of brochures, catalogs,
telephone contact, etc.
B.
ORDER LETTER
A letter of order is a document that confirms the details of a purchase of goods
or services from one party to another. It usually includes more information
about what you are ordering, like quantity, model number, or color, the payment
terms, and the matter in which the products are to be shipped. When the
recipient receives this letter, they will process the order and send the
merchandise.
C.
COMPLAINT LETTER
A
Complaint letter is a request for an adjustment. In other words, it is a letter
that describes about the damage; errors or mistakes happened to the delivered
goods and therefore claims for compensation is known to be a complaint letter.
D.
PAYMENT LETTER
A
payment letter is generally to remind someone about their pending payment. In
that case a payment letter reminds them of their dues or other pending
payments. A payment letter is written in a neat and formal way and conveys the
message of pending payment.
E.
APPLICATION LETTER
An application letter is a formally
written one-page letter that accompanies a resume and other requested
documentation in application for a job or academic program.
Application letters are often synonymous with cover letters, and in addition to
describing what materials are included in the application, an application
letter should also take time to highlight the qualifications that prepare the
writer for acceptance into the job or academic program.
F.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Curriculum
Vitae is a written overview of a person's experience, other qualifications, previous
job, and sometimes also your personal interest that you send to an employer for
a job opportunity.a HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/short" \o
"short" short written HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/description" \o
"description" description of HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/your" \o
"your" your
HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/education" \o
"education" education, HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/qualification" \o
"qualifications" qualifications, HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/previous" \o
"previous" previous HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/job" \o
"jobs" jobs, and sometimes also HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/your" \o
"your" your
HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/personal" \o
"personal" personal HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/interest" \o
"interests" interests, that you HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/send" \o
"send" send to an
HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/employer" \o
"employer" employer when you are HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/trying" \o
"trying" trying to get a HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/job" \o
"job" joba
HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/short" \o
"short" short written HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/description" \o
"description" description of HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/your" \o
"your" your
HYPERLINK "http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/education"
\o "education" education, HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/qualification" \o
"qualifications" qualifications, HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/previous" \o
"previous" previous HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/job" \o
"jobs" jobs, and sometimes also HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/your" \o
"your" your HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/personal" \o
"personal" personal HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/interest" \o
"interests" interests, that you HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/send" \o
"send" send to an
HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/employer" \o
"employer" employer when you are HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/trying" \o
"trying" trying to get a HYPERLINK
"http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/job" \o
"job" job
REFERENCE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_letter
https://maulana200992.wordpress.com/2013/10/03/style-of-business-letter/
https://wawanoutsider.wordpress.com/2012/10/24/definition-business-letter/
http://www.studyenglishtoday.net/business-letter-parts.html
http://www.mbahro.com/News/tabid/110/entryid/83/What-are-the-six-parts-of-a-business-letter-A-Refresher.aspx
http://esl.about.com/od/businessenglishwriting/a/Types-Of-Business-Letters.htm
http://thebusinesscommunication.com/what-is-complaint-letter-cause-of-drafting-complaint-letter/
