EF5/6 Business Letters

Business letters - useful
- formal style, official
- regular format
- not personal letter

Personal letter
- informal, casual, relaxed
- writing to friends, family
- replaced with social media, Skype, gmail, texting, Facebook, WhatsApp, WeChat (China)

Do you receive business letters in the mail?
- government - CRA (tax), immigration
- ICBC
- BC Hydro
- school
- college, university
- building management
- businesses
- bank
- car dealership (e.g. recall)


We are going to learn how to write a business letter.

• 8 1/2 X 11 inch, A4 paper
• computer (MSWord) or email, typewriter
• not by hand

• Be extra careful with spelling, punctuation, grammar.
• Be polite and professional

______________________________________

Sender's address

possibly a Letterhead - logo and address

Date

Recipient's address

Salutation/Greeting
Dear Mr Chen:
Dear Mrs Jones:
Dear Ms Jones:

If you're not sure-
Dear Sir or Madam:
To whom it may concern:
NOT AS GOOD

POSSIBLE SOLUTION
Dear Julia Jones:    colon, not a comma


PERSONAL LETTER
Dear Julia,

Re:  (regarding, about)

Re: Case#1234578


Complaint letter/ Letter of Complain
complaint (n) complain (v)
complainer
- concise (simple, straightforward, short) and clear

Paragraph 1
Background to the situation- W5 what, when, where, who, why

Paragraph 2
Details of the problem- cause and effect

Paragraph 3 
Propose a reasonable solution

Paragraph 4
Give a warning (optional)

Closing
Sincerely,
Yours truly,
Regards,
Thank you,
Thank you in advance,
Looking forward to your reply,

SIGNATURE

Bobby McGuigan