Business Letters

Introduction & Layout of Business Letters

A business letter is a formal way of communication between one or more organisations.

Letters are normally sent through the post however then can also be delivered by courier.

Business to business

Business to customer

Company to job applicant

Employer to employee

There are many reasons why business letters are sent, examples are: Introduce a new member of staff Reminder (payment or event) Invitation Apology or thank you

JP/RW >2 LS 05 November 2008 >2 LS Mr John Smith 55 Union Street GLASGOW G45 5UG >2 LS

Dear Mr Smith >2 LS When typing a letter the first thing you type is a

reference. Above, JP is the author and RW is the typist.

>2 LS The date is always written as day, month and

year eg 19 December 2008. >2 LS In the name and address of whom the letter in

being sent to, the town/city in the address is always typed in upper case (CAPITALS).

>2 LS

In the salutation, if you know the person you are writing to then you use the persons name eg Dear Mr Smith. If you do not know the persons name then it is Dear Sir or Dear Madam.

>2 LS The subject heading is usually done in upper

case (CAPITALS). >2 LS When you type the text of the letter, please

remember every line should start at the margin – do not indent the paragraph.

>2 LS

If the salutation is Dear Sir/Madam then the letter ends Yours faithfully. If it is Dear Mrs Smith then it is Your Sincerely. The senders name and position is then typed.

>2 LS If there are any enclosures with the

letter then Enc is typed at the end. >2 LS

Yours sincerely >6 LS John Pringle Manager >3 LS Enc