How to Write Better Business Letters

by Geffner, Andrea B.

• ISBN13: 9780764112690
• ISBN10: 0764112694
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-01
• Publisher: Barrons Educational Series Inc

Summary

Updated to reflect uses of current word processing software and Internet communication, as well as to review standard business correspondence formats, this book instructs on how to write effective examples of every kind of business letter. It presents about 75 model letters in categories that include credit applications, letters of inquiry, orders of goods and services, formal business announcements, letters of recommendation, and sales promotional letters of the type used by direct marketers. This book also features examples of different letter formatting styles. The newly expanded chapter on e-mail correspondence includes discussion of effective presentation of Internet rA(c)sumA(c)s.

Table of Contents

Table of Model Letters	v
Introduction	vii
Business Style	1	(12)
Tone	1	(1)
Expressions to Avoid in Business Letters	1	(2)
Outlook	3	(2)
The ``You Approach''	5	(1)
Organization	6	(1)
Redundant Expressions	7	(2)
Electronic Mail	9	(1)
Sexist Language	10	(1)
Practice Correspondence	10	(3)
Letter Format	13	(12)
Parts of a Business Letter	13	(2)
Arrangement Styles	15	(2)
Punctuation Styles	17	(5)
Postscripts	22	(1)
Special Paragraphing	22	(1)
The Envelope	22	(2)
Practice Correspondence	24	(1)
Request Letters	25	(6)
Inquiries	25	(2)
Orders	27	(2)
Practice Correspondence	29	(2)
Replies	31	(18)
Acknowledgments	32	(1)
Follow-Ups	33	(1)
Confirmations	34	(1)
Remittances	35	(1)
Order Acknowledgments	35	(6)
Stopgap Letters	41	(1)
Inquiry Replies	41	(3)
Referrals	44	(1)
Refusals	44	(2)
Practice Correspondence	46	(3)
Credit and Collection Letters	49	(12)
Credit Letters	49	(6)
Collection Letters	55	(3)
Practice Correspondence	58	(3)
Complaints, Claims, and Adjustments	61	(10)
Complaints	61	(1)
Claims	61	(5)
Adjustments	66	(3)
Practice Correspondence	69	(2)
Sales and Public Relations Letters	71	(10)
Sales Letters	71	(4)
Public Relations Letters	75	(4)
Practice Correspondence	79	(2)
Social Business Letters	81	(10)
Letters of Congratulations	81	(2)
Letters of Sympathy	83	(1)
Letters of Appreciation	84	(2)
Invitations	86	(2)
Announcements	88	(1)
Practice Correspondence	89	(2)
Employment Correspondence	91	(20)
The Resume	91	(7)
Letters of Application	98	(5)
Follow-Up Letters	103	(1)
Letters of Reference and Recommendation	104	(2)
Declining a Job Offer	106	(1)
Rejecting a Job Applicant	107	(1)
Letters of Resignation	108	(1)
Letters of Introduction	109	(1)
Practice Correspondence	110	(1)
In-House Correspondence	111	(8)
The Interoffice Memorandum	111	(3)
Minutes	114	(3)
Practice Correspondence	117	(2)
News Releases	119	(6)
Practice Correspondence	123	(2)
Business Reports and Proposals	125	(18)
Informal Reports	126	(5)
Formal Reports	131	(6)
Proposals	137	(4)
Practice Correspondence	141	(2)
LAST DETAILS	143	(7)
A Glossary of Business Terms	144	(3)
Catching Your Errors	147	(2)
State Abbreviations	149	(1)
Index	150