Communication through Writing:

Lecture 5:

Communication through Writing:

Business Letters, Memos & Notices
We have already discussed the major principles of business communication in general
and of business writing style in particular. We have also considered the crucial stages in
planning written communication. Now we are going to consider how these basic
principles and strategies apply in writing different kinds of business letters, memos, and
notices.
1. The Advantages of the Business Letter
2. The Business Letter Today
3. Letter Format
4. Letter Form
5. Principles of Business Communication
6. Different Types of Letter
 Job Application Letter
 Collection Letter
 Complaint or Grievance
 Favorable Adjustments of Claims
 The Unfavorable Response, or the Psychology of Refusal
7. Memoranda and Notices
1. The Advantages of the Business Letter: All organizations today communicate with
dozens of different publics: customers, suppliers, vendors, government agencies,
community groups, manufacturers, schools, and so on. In most cases, that communication
takes the form of telephone calls or letters. Although the use of letters is expensive (some
estimates peg the cost of a letter at over $7.00 today), letters do have at least two
important advantages over many other communication media:
 A letter establishes a record of the interaction
 A letter is personal
It is true that electronic mail and computers now permit us to communicate in many new
and different ways. However, the consistent and effective use of the letter as a business
instrument has been proved millions of times in the last 2000 years. We are accustomed
to it, and its use in the foreseeable future is certainly assured.