What is a Business Letter?DefinitionPartsUses

A business letter is:- a letter written for formal or professional purposes.- similar to a friendly letter, except for one extra part.- should be short, courteous, and to the point.

HeadingInside AddressSalutationBodyComplimentary ClosingSignaturePrinted Name

It is the same as a friendly letter.

It contains, the writers name, address, city, state, zip, and date.It is written slightly to the right of the center of the paper, about one inch from the top.Do not abbreviate in a business letter

Cindy Jones1234 Main StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19149April 25, 2003

HeadingInside AddressSalutationBodyComplimentary ClosingSignaturePrinted Name

Should begin on the left-hand margin, below the heading. Consists of the FULL name and address of the business or organization to which the letter is being sent.Make sure that the address is the same as the address on the envelope.Do not abbreviate.

Cindy Jones1234 Main StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19149April 25, 2003

Keystone Automobile Association2040 Market StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

HeadingInside AddressSalutationBodyComplimentary ClosingSignaturePrinted Name

It is more formal than that of a friendly letter.It is followed by a colon ~ :

Cindy Jones1234 Main StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19149April 25, 2003

Keystone Automobile Association2040 Market StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19103Dear Sir or Madam:

HeadingInside AddressSalutationBodyComplimentary ClosingSignaturePrinted Name

It should be brief and courteous.The reader should be able to pick out of your letter all that is needed as quickly as possible.It should only mention the purpose of the letter.

Cindy Jones1234 Main StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19149April 25, 2003

Keystone Automobile Association2040 Market StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19103Dear Sir or Madam: It is the wish of our principal that a safety squad be organized in the Park School during the coming semester. Will you kindly send a representative to our classroom to give us the necessary directions. Please let us know the date on which we may expect your agent. We thank you for your cooperation and prompt attention.

HeadingInside AddressSalutationBodyComplimentary ClosingSignaturePrinted Name

It is more formal than a friendly letter.It is written under the same margin as the heading.Consists of a short phrase indicating respect for the person addressed and followed by a comma.Yours truly,Sincerely,Very truly yours,Respectfully,

Cindy Jones1234 Main StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19149April 25, 2003

Keystone Automobile Association2040 Market StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19103Dear Sir or Madam: It is the wish of our principal that a safety squad be organized in the Park School during the coming semester. Will you kindly send a representative to our classroom to give us the necessary directions. Please let us know the date on which we may expect your agent. We thank you for your cooperation and prompt attention.Sincerely,

HeadingInside AddressSalutationBodyComplimentary ClosingSignaturePrinted Name

Signature contains the full name of the writer.The writers name is usually printed under the signature.

Cindy Jones1234 Main StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19149April 25, 2003

Keystone Automobile Association2040 Market StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19103Dear Sir or Madam: It is the wish of our principal that a safety squad be organized in the Park School during the coming semester. Will you kindly send a representative to our classroom to give us the necessary directions. Please let us know the date on which we may expect your agent. We thank you for your cooperation and prompt attention.Sincerely, Cindy JonesCindy Jones

Business letters are written for the following reasons:Order a productMake a requestComplain about a product or serviceCover letter- request that the writer be considered for a job

YOUR ASSIGNMENT:You will write a business letter to a CD company. Your letter will be a complaint about a CD that you received in the mail. When you received it, it was scratched. You are returning the CD and requesting a refund. Here is the address:Music-by-Mail1728 Maple Ave.New York City, New York 01587

Do you have your FULL street address, city, and state in the heading? No abbreviationsDid you remember to write the date?Did you write the inside address? No abbreviationsIs there a colon after your salutation?Did you indent in the body?Is your letter short and to the point?Did you end with a formal closing?Is your letter signed?Did you remember to print your name under the signature?

Miss K. Checchia3040 Cottman AvenuePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19149March 25, 2004Music-by-Mail1728 Maple StreetNew York City, New York 01587Dear Sir or Madam:I have recently ordered and received a CD from your mail catalog. When I received it, I was saddened to notice that the CD had been damaged. I opened the case and found that it was scratched. It will not play in my CD player.Along with this letter, I am returning the CD. I would like a refund in the amount of the purchase. I thank you in advance for your prompt and courteous service. Sincerely, Miss K. Checchia Miss K. Checchia

*