Business Letter

Introduction and Task: Although technology constantly changes communication styles, the basic business letter remains an essential tool to share information. Your assignment is to write one properly formatted personal business letter, a letter of request to an actual reader.

Topic Ideas and Requirements:

• A request for information about a person, business, organization, or program.
• A request for clarification from a person, business, or organization.
• A request for assistance involving a problem with a business, organization, or program.
• A request for a refund from a person, business, or organization.
• A request for corrective action from a person, business, or organization.

Specific topic options for this project are endless, but observe the following guidelines:

The recipient of the letter (to include the address) must be real.

The request must be (or at least seem) legitimate.

The letter must have at least three (but no more than five) paragraphs.

The letter format must reflect block style.

The letter must reflect standard written English grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.

1. Language and Tone: When writing a business or personal business letter, you want every word to be understood. Use language that is formal but simple and personable. (There are no prizes for using the biggest words in a business letterespecially if your reader must spend time deciphering what you mean.)

2. Organization: Like nearly all writing, an effective business letter includes a beginning, a middle, and an end. It doesn't matter how short a letter isthe important thing is to communicate your message effectively. You need not fill an entire page to make it look balanced, but your letter must include the following:

Introduction: In the first paragraph of your letter, introduce yourself and identify your purpose for writing. The last sentence of this brief paragraph must clearly specify the nature of your request.

Body: In the middle paragraph(s) of your letter, supply the essential details of your case. Provide all information needed by your reader to understand, appreciate, and respond to your problem or request. Your message should be clear, concise, and courteous.

Conclusion: In the last paragraph of your letter, include a thoughtful closing (final words to remind the reader of your reason for writing, to offer contact details if needed, and to offer thanks for any help given or expected).

3. Font and Format:

• This letter may reflect your choice of either Times New Roman size 12 black font or else Arial size 12 black font.
• This letter may not exceed one standard page in length and should reflect standard one-inch margins (or 1.25 inch margins for a shorter letter) throughout.
• This letter must be crafted on a plain white page (equivalent to a blank piece of white paper).
• You may use no digitally pre-crafted letter template or stationery.
• Format your letter according to conventional full-block style, to include (a) full left alignment of each block of text (or paragraph), (b) single line spacing within each block of text, (c) one blank line between each block of text (except the last block), and (d) four to five blank lines between the valediction and signature line (or signature block).