Exercise 2 Read and translate

Kinds of Business Letters

Exercise 1. Study the following words and word-combinations:

layout - план	to anticipate- передбачати
content - зміст	credibility - правдоподібність
to determine one’s purpose – визначати мету	to appreciate - оцінювати
outline – начерк	font- шрифт
hard-hitting - переконливий	impact – імпульс, поштовх
transition- перехід	hostility - ворожість
concise - стислий	failure – невдача, провал

Exercise 2 Read and translate

Writing is one of the most important and valued skills in the business world today. A business letter is a formal communication between people or companies and it is written to conduct some sort of business. It differs from personal letters exchanged by friends in both its layout and content. Every person within an organization is in customer relations, so writing an effective business letter is an important skill for every employee, manager and business owner.

Writing a business letter takes planning. First of all, you must analyze your audience and determine your purpose. Then you need to gather information, create an outline, write a draft, and revise it.

Capture your reader's attention with a hard-hitting lead paragraph that goes straight to the point or offers an element of intrigue. Then, hook the reader's interest: the hook is often a clear statement of the reader's problems, needs, or wants. Try to organize your letter logically, making smooth transition s between sentences and paragraphs. It should be clear and concise, with short sentences and simple words and don't use technical terms unless you are positive your reader will understand them as you do.

Write positively and with confidence. Try to put yourself in the reader's shoes and to anticipate the reader's reaction to your comments. Don't be manipulative

Don't ever forget to proof-read your letter. Check the spelling, particularly the name of the person and company. Minor errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar hurt your credibility. Make sure that your letters look neat and tidy on the page. When you send a business letter you create an image of you and your company in the reader's mind. It is important to remember that a business letter is an official document. Keep the letter to one page. Business people are busy and do not appreciate unnecessarily long letters. Most business letters are less than one A4 page long. An important factor in the readability of a letter is the chosen font. The generally accepted font is Times New Roman, size 12, although other fonts such as Arial may be used. In most cases, the business letter will be the first impression that you make on someone. The way you write a letter and the etiquette you employ may have a significant impact on your success or failure in business. Failure to observe correct business letter etiquette can result in you adopting an inappropriate tone, causing offense or misunderstandings, lack of clarity or purpose and hostility or soured relations.

Exercise 3. Answer the questions based on the text:

1. Why is a business letter written in business world?

2. How does a business latter differ from a personal letter?

3. What should you do before writing a business letter?

4. How can you hook the reader’s interest?

5. Why shouldn’t you use technical terms in your letter?

6. What can hurt your credibility?

7. How many pages should the business letter be written on?

8. What font should the business letter be written?

9. What can result hostility or soured relations?

Exercise 4. Find the English equivalents:

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