Glaston potteries Ltd

Тема 9. BUSINESS LETTERS

Exercise 1. Read and translate: FORM AND LAYOUT

Nowadays, much attention is paid to business correspondence. There are different types of business letters written for different purposes. Studying writing business letters is very important for with the help of good letters one can influence partners, suppliers, investors, etc. and increase business. On the contrary, a badly written letter creates a bad effect and may sometimes delay or spoil business ties.

Visual Impression

They say first impressions count. t is true concerning business letters too.

It should be remembered that poor language, typing mistakes, bad handwriting, mismatched paper, careless layout — all these factors give a bad impression and create a bad result.

Handwritten or Typed?

It depends on the type of a business letter. There is the rule that most personal letters are handwritten, while most business letters are typed. However, in business correspondence there are also some types of letters which are never to be typed. They include:

• invitations;
• letters of congratulation or thanks;
• letters of condolence;
• letters of job application.
To-day in business they use the company’s form that bears its trade mark oremblem and contains its full name, address, phone and fax numbers.

Composing Business Letters

A good letter is concise, logic, profound and serious (змістовний), correct
and courteous in tone.

It generally consists of three parts as follows:
1. Introduction (only one paragraph) — states the subject of the letter. It also may say if a correspondent’s letter was received.
2. Development (one, two or more paragraphs) — gives some facts, arguments, explanation, etc.

3. Conclusion (only one paragraph) — deals with expressions of goodwill.
The purpose is to leave a favourable impression in the reader’s mind.

The use of subject headings is also important. It helps the letter to be correctly routed. It gains the reader’s interest and saves time.
Consider the letter from the reader’s point of view. The things you take for granted may not be obvious to the receiver, Check that all are Concise, exact, logic, profound and clear. After reading such a letter the receiver clearly understands the purpose and the reason for its writing.

Good business letters always help to create good public relations.

Utah University 155 Lori Boulevard Marino, Utah Dr. Mary Jackson Jackson Laboratory 20 Hill Avenue York, Colorado 75513 May 13, 20. Dear Dr. Jackson: Subject: Computer-supported instruction. Thank you for your last delivery of computers research literature. Last week we had a stall meeting of our Computer Science Department. One our professors mentioned that you have a new system of computer-supported instruction. All of us are interested i learning more about it. We also would like to purchase such a system. However, we need some additional information before purchasing it. Please provide us with any information that may help us in evaluation of this new product. Sincerely yours, (Signature, handwritten) Michael Walton (typed) Michael Walton Chairman Computer Department

Exercise 2. Read the following business letters. The ideas are expressed clearly, the parts are placed correctly, and there are no errors in wording, spelling or punctuation

1.

2.

Each business has a standardised form for its letters, however, the format may vary from country to country.
Pay attention to the punctuation in the letters. Colons are used after the greeting in American business letters. In the U.K. they put a comma alter the greeting.

GLASTON POTTERIES Ltd

Clayfield, Burnley BB10 IRQ

Tel:0315 46l25 Registered № 716481

Telex:8801 773 VAT Registered № 1335341 08

Fax: [phone] Your ref. 180/MB

Mrs. L. Lowe

Sanders & Lowe Ltd.

Planter House

Princes Street

London EC 1 7DQ 10 June 20…

Dear Mrs. Lowe,

It was a pleasure to receive your letter today. and we are enclosing the catalogue and price-list you asked for.

You will see that we can offer a wide selection of dinner and tea services ranging Iroin the rugged ‘Greystone’ earthenware breakfast sets, to the delicate ‘Ming’ bone china dinner service.

You can choose from more than fifty designs which include the elegance of Wedgwood, the delicate pattern of Willow, and the richness of Brownstone glaze.

We would be pleased to add your clients to our list of customers throughout the world and could promise them an excellent product with a first-class service We ould be glad to accept orders for any number of pieces, and can mix sets if required,

You will see that our prices are quoted c.i.f. to Eastern Canadian seaboard ports md we are offering a special 10% discount off all net prices, with delivery within lhrce weeks from receipt of order.

If there is any further information you require, please contact us, and once again thank you for your letter.

Yours sincerely,

J. Merton (Mr)

Sales Manager

Exercise 3. Answer the following questions:

1. How does Mr. Merton draw attention to his firm’s products?

2. How does he imply that his firm has an international reputation?

3. What discount does he offer’?

4. How does he encourage further enquires?

5. Do Glaston offer any concessions?

6. How do Glaston quote their prices?

7. Which words in the letter correspond to the following: putting in; range, select, allowance, when we receive your indent?

Useful Phrases:

• Thank you for your letter (fax)...

• Further to our conversation

•... we enclose/please find enclosed....

• We own your address to (Mr. Pitt)....

• If there is anything else you need....

• If there is any further information you require....

•... please let me(us) know....

• We look forward to meeting you....

Дата добавления: 2015-10-23