A. Definition of English Business and Type of English Letter
Definition :
A: English as used in business; specif : the study and practice of composition with emphasis on correctness, propriety, spelling, punctuation, and the forms of business correspondence
B: English as taught in non-English-speaking countries in courses that emphasize its commercial rather than its cultural importance and that are normally designed to produce conversational fluency within a limited vocabulary
And there are a number of types of business letters in English such as :
Making An
Inquiry
Make an
inquiry when someone requesting
more information about a product or service. This type of business letter tends
to include specific information such as product type, as well as asking for
further details in the form of brochures, catalogs, telephone contact, etc.
Making inquiries can also help you keep up on your competition.
Sales Letters
Sales Letters are used to introduce new products to
new customers and past clients. It's important to outline an important problem
that needs to be solved and provide the solution in sales letters. This example
letter provides an outline, as well as important phrases to use when sending
out a wide variety of sales letters. Sales letters can be improved through the
use of personalization in some means in order to ensure attention.
Replying to an
Inquiry
Replying to
inquiries are one of
the most important business letters that you write. Successfully replying to an
inquiry can help you complete a sale or lead to new sales. Customers who make
inquiries are interested in specific information, and are excellent business
prospects. Learn how to thank the customers, provide as much information as
possible, as well as make a call to action for a positive outcome.
Account Terms
and Conditions
When a new customer opens an account it is essential to
inform them of account terms
and conditions. If you run a small business, it is common to provide
these terms and conditions in the form of a letter. This guide provides a clear
example on which you can base your own business letters providing account terms
and conditions.
Letters of Acknowledgment
For legal purposes letters of
acknowledgment are
often requested. These letters are also referred to as letters of receipt and
tend to be rather formal and short. These two examples letters will provide you
with a template to use in your own work and can be easily adapted for a number
of purposes.
Placing an Order
As a business person, you will often place an
order - especially if
you have a large supply chain for your product. This example business letter
provides an outline to make sure your order placement is clear so that you
receive exactly what you order.
Making a Claim
Unfortunately, from time to time it is necessary to make a claim
against unsatisfactory work. This example business letter provides a
strong example of a claim letter and includes important phrases to express your
dissatisfaction and future expectations when making a claim.
Adjusting a
Claim
Even the best business may make a mistake from time to time.
In this case, you may be called upon to adjust a
claim. This type of business letter provides an example to send to
unsatisfied customers making sure that you address their specific concerns, as
well as retain them as future customers.
Cover Letters
Cover letters are extremely important when applying
for a new position in a new company. Cover letters should include a short
introduction, highlight the most important information in your resume and elicit a positive response from
your prospective employer.
B. Part of English Business
there are many style of enlish letter such as :
· The
Heading (The Retern Address) or Letterhead - Companies usually use
printed paper where heading or letterhead is specially designed at the top of
the sheet. It bears all the necessary information about the organisations
identity.
· Date - Date
of writing. The month should be fully spelled out and the year written with all
four digits October 12, 2005
(12
October 2005 - UK style). The date is aligned with the return address. The
number of the date is pronounced as an ordinal figure, though the endings st,
nd, rd, th, are often omitted in writing. The article before the number of the
day is pronounced but not written. In the body of the letter, however, the
article is written when the name of the month is not mentioned with the day.
· The
Inside Address - In a business or formal letter you should give the
address of the recipient after your own address. Include the recipient's name,
company, address and postal code. Add job title if appropriate. Separate the
recipient's name and title with a comma. Double check that you have the correct
spelling of the recipient 's name.
The
Inside Address is always on the left margin. If an 8 1/2" x 11" paper
is folded in thirds to fit in a standard 9" business envelope, the inside
address can appear through the window in the envelope.
· The
Greeting - Also called the salutation. The type of salutation
depends on your relationship with the recipient. It normally begins with the
word "Dear" and always includes the person's last name. Use every resource
possible to address your letter to an actual person. If you do not know the
name or the sex of of your reciever address it to Dear Madam/Sir (or Dear Sales
Manager or Dear Human Resources Director). As a general rule the greeting in a
business letter ends in a colon (US style). It is also acceptable to use a
comma (UK style).
· The
Subject Line (optional) - Its inclusion can help the recipient in
dealing successfully with the aims of your letter. Normally the subject
sentence is preceded with the word Subject: orRe: Subject line may be
emphasized by underlining, using bold font, or all captial letters. It is
usually placed one line below the greeting but alternatively can be located
directly after the "inside address," before the "greeting."
· The
Body Paragraphs - The body is where you explain why you’re writing. It’s the main part of the business letter. Make sure the
receiver knows who you are and why you are writing but try to avoid starting
with "I". Use a new paragraph when you wish to introduce a new idea
or element into your letter. Depending on the letter style you choose,
paragraphs may be indented. Regardless of format, skip a line between
paragraphs.
· The
Complimentary Close - This short, polite closing ends always with a
comma. It is either at the left margin or its left edge is in the center,
depending on the Business Letter Style that you use. It begins at the same
column the heading does. The traditional rule of etiquette in Britain is that a
formal letter starting "Dear Sir or Madam" must end "Yours
faithfully", while a letter starting "Dear " must end
"Yours sincerely". (Note: the second word of the closing is NOT
capitalized)
· Signature
and Writers identification - The signature is the last part of the
letter. You should sign your first and last names. The signature line may
include a second line for a title, if appropriate. The signature should start
directly above the first letter of the signature line in the space between the
close and the signature line. Use blue or black ink.
· Initials,
Enclosures, Copies - Initials are to be included if someone other than
the writer types the letter. If you include other material in the letter, put
'Enclosure', 'Enc.', or ' Encs. ', as appropriate, two lines below the last
entry. cc means a copy or copies are sent to someone else.
C. Style of Enlgish Letter
Style 1 : FULL BLOCK STYLE
_____________________ _________________________________ (1)
_____________________
_____________________________________________________________________
________________ (2)
________________ (3)
__________________
__________________
__________________ (4)
__________________
______________________(5)
____________________ (6)
______________________________ (7)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________ (8)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
__________________ (9)
__________________ (10)
__________________ (11)
__________________ (12)
|
Description :
1. Letterhead
2. Reference
3. Date line
4. Inside address
5. Attention line
6. Salutation
7. Subject line
8. Body of letter
9. Complimentary close
10. Signature
11. Enclosure
12. Carbon copy notation
Style 2 : BLOCK STYLE
_____________________ _________________________________ (1)
_____________________
______________________________________________________________________
________________ (2) ____________________ (3)
__________________
__________________ (4)
__________________
__________________
______________________(5)
____________________ (6)
______________________________ (7)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________ (8)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
___________________ (9)
___________________ (10)
|
Description :
1. Letterhead
2. Reference
3. Date line
4. Inside address
5. Attention line
6. Salutation
7. Subject line
8. Body of letter
9. Complimentary close
10. Signature
Style 3 : SEMI BLOCK STYLE
______________________ _________________________________ (1)
______________________
_______________________________________________________________________
________________ (2) ___________________ (3)
__________________
__________________ (4)
__________________
__________________
______________________(5)
____________________ (6)
____________________________________ (7)
_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________ (8)
_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
___________________(9)
____________________(10)
|
Description :
1. Letterhead
2. Reference
3. Date line
4. Inside address
5. Attention line
6. Salutation
7. Subject line
8. Body of letter
9. Complimentary close
10. Signature
Style 4 : SIMPLIFIED STYLE
___________________ ________________________________ (1)
________________________
______________________________________________________________________
________________ (2)
________________ (3)
__________________
__________________ (4)
__________________
__________________
______________________(5)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________ (6)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________ (7) |
Description :
1. Letterhead
2. Reference
3. Date line
4. Inside address
5. Subject line
6. Body of Letter
7. Signature
Style 5 : HANGING INDENTATION STYLE
______________________ _________________________________ (1)
______________________
_______________________________________________________________________
________________ (2) ___________________(3)
__________________
__________________
__________________ (4)
__________________
______________________(5)
___________________________ (6)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________ (7)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
__________________ (8)
__________________ (9) |
Description :
1. Letterhead
2. Reference
3. Date line
4. Inside address
5. Salutation
6. Subject line
7. Body of letter
8. Complimentary close
9. Signature
Source :
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/business%20english
http://www.studyenglishtoday.net/business-letter-parts.html
http://masterpiace.blogspot.com/2011/10/form-and-style-business-english-latter2.html
http://melforce-dhani.blogspot.com/2011/10/buisnis-english-letter.html
