Course: ENG 120 Technical Composition I

Introduction

Writing Letters

Introduction

Letters are one of the most common forms of technical communication. You will write them to recipients within your company, such as to acknowledge a promotion, and outside your company, such as to answer a customer complaint.

There are standard formats for letters. These are described and illustrated in your text.

Use what is called a “you” perspective in your letters. Put yourself in the recipient’s shoes and write the kind of letter you would like to receive. Be courteous and direct. Do not be abrasive.

Letters can be positive, negative, or neutral in nature. Positive letters include:

- Inquiry letters, in which you ask for information
- Invitations
- Congratulatory, commendation, and thank-you letters

Negative letters include:

- Negative response letter, in which you must say no to a request
- Complaints
- Collection letters, in which you are requesting payment

Neutral letters you may write include:

- Sales or service offers
- Solicitations for money or volunteers
- Transmittal letters which accompany a longer document
- Job-application letters, which will be discussed in a later lesson

For additional resources click on the following url

http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/documents/business_writing/business_letter