Difference between revisions of "Writing for Business Success/Business writing in action/Letters"

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(Moving video to here and adding reading and related WEnote)
 
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* Read [https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_business-communication-for-success/s13-02-memorandums-and-letters.html Chapter 9.2: Memorandums and letters] in Business Communication for Success. This reading discusses the purpose, format, and standard elements of business memoranda ('memos') and letters, and provides a concise guide to effective writing strategies to produce professional documents using each format.
 
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** What similarities and differences do you notice between business memos, letters, and other business documents?
 
  
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As we have mentioned before, rapid developments in the capabilities of the internet and related software mean that communication practices in business are also constantly evolving.
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Read the second part of [https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_business-communication-for-success/s13-02-memorandums-and-letters.html Chapter 9.2: Memorandums and letters] (under the heading 'Letters') in Business Communication for Success. This reading discusses the purpose, format, and standard elements of business letters. (You do not need to read the section on memorandums, as we have already covered this in the section on [[Writing_for_Business_Success/Business_writing_in_action/Internal_memos|Internal memos]].)
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* Read [https://gethppy.com/internalcommunication/memos-relevant-anymore ''Are memos relevant any more?''], a blog published in 2020 on the ''hppy'' human resources advice blog site, discussing whether printed memos still have a role in business communications.
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** If you have current or recent experience of a workplace, consider whether printed memos are still used there to communicate with staff.
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** If printed memos are not used, what media and tools are used to communicate messages from management to staff? Does the advice on writing good memos still apply to the new tools?
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Post your thoughts on a WEnote and read about the experiences of other learners.
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{{:Corporate_communication/CCOM101_WENote}}
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|body=Optional video – Saylor Academy: ''Memoranda and Business Letters''. [9:16 min.]
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|title=Activity 1: Analyse business letters
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This video provides an audiovisual summary of the Chapter 9.2 reading.
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Find two or three different letters that have been sent by a business or an organisation such as a government agency, school, hospital etc. (Ideally use real letters that you or someone you know has received, but if you do not have any available, you can search the internet for 'business letter examples'.)
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* Examine the letters for the '15 elements of a business letter' described in the reading. For each letter, consider:
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** Which elements are there and which have been missed out?
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** Why do you think that is?
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* What is the purpose of the letter?
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* How effective do you think the letter is in achieving its purpose?
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* How would you improve the letter?
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* Post a WEnote about one interesting thing you have noticed when doing this activity.
  
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{{Note|SW - maybe somewhere use these two short videos about agendas and minutes. The resource may also be useful}}
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For example:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyFpZPKVofo&t=0 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g59CFx3uR9A&t=0 https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/business-letters/
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Recommended: Do the chapter exercises that ask you to review memo and business letter samples, and compare them to the standard formats provided in your text. Do an online search for examples, if you don’t have any of your own on hand. Next, do the two exercises that encourage you to practice writing a brief memo, and a business letter to a prospective client.  
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''I was surprised that...''
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''I was interested to see that...''
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|title=Activity 2: Write a business letter
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Do Exercise 5 from the reading, which asks you to write a business letter that informs a prospective client or customer about a new product or service.
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* Think carefully about which of the 15 elements you should include.
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* Follow the five points at the end of the reading which advise on how to communicate effectively and project a positive image.
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Latest revision as of 23:00, 7 September 2020

Business letters.jpg


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Reading

Read the second part of Chapter 9.2: Memorandums and letters (under the heading 'Letters') in Business Communication for Success. This reading discusses the purpose, format, and standard elements of business letters. (You do not need to read the section on memorandums, as we have already covered this in the section on Internal memos.)



Icon activity line.svg
Activity 1: Analyse business letters

Find two or three different letters that have been sent by a business or an organisation such as a government agency, school, hospital etc. (Ideally use real letters that you or someone you know has received, but if you do not have any available, you can search the internet for 'business letter examples'.)

  • Examine the letters for the '15 elements of a business letter' described in the reading. For each letter, consider:
    • Which elements are there and which have been missed out?
    • Why do you think that is?
  • What is the purpose of the letter?
  • How effective do you think the letter is in achieving its purpose?
  • How would you improve the letter?
  • Post a WEnote about one interesting thing you have noticed when doing this activity.

For example:

I was surprised that...

I was interested to see that...

Your comment will be displayed in the course feed. Don't forget to look in the feed to see what others have posted.



Icon activity line.svg
Activity 2: Write a business letter

Do Exercise 5 from the reading, which asks you to write a business letter that informs a prospective client or customer about a new product or service.

  • Think carefully about which of the 15 elements you should include.
  • Follow the five points at the end of the reading which advise on how to communicate effectively and project a positive image.


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