Business Letters

Chapter Opener

14

communicate formally

communicate formally

How to start

  • Want to get a response?
  • Explain your purpose clearly and logically

Business Letters

The formal business letter remains an important instrument for sending information in professional situations. Though business letters can be transmitted electronically these days, legal letters or decisions about admissions to schools or programs often still arrive on paper, complete with a real signature.

  • image Responding to a summer internship opportunity, you outline your credentials for the position in a cover letter and attach your résumé.
  • image You send a brief letter to the director of admissions of a law school, graciously declining your acceptance into the program.
  • image You send a letter of complaint to an auto company, documenting the list of problems you’ve had with your SUV and indicating your intention to seek redress under your state’s “lemon law.”
  • image You write to a management company to accept the terms of a lease, enclosing a check for the security deposit on your future apartment.