MODULE 4 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE (10 часов)

The purpose of good writing is not only to make oneself understood;

it is to make oneself incapable of being misunderstood.

E.B.White

Letter writing is an essential part of business communication. A cheque, a contract or any other business paper sent by mail should always be accompanied by a letter. A well arranged letter will make a better impression on the reader, thus good letters make good business partners.

Business letters may be divided into official and semi-official. The first kind of letters is characteristic of those people working in business: an executive, a department manager, a salesman, a secretary or a specialist in business and technology. Official letters include enquiries, offers, orders, complaints, memos, letters of adjustment, and so on. But if people want to congratulate or thank somebody, to accept an invitation, this is a kind of semi-official letters.

1. Components of a Business Letter

Структура письма

(1) Letterhead (2) Sender's address: Name of house or building No. of building, Street (road, avenue) City, state, post/zip code Country Telephone Fax(telex) number E-mail address (3) References: Your ref: Our ref: (5) Inside address: (4) Date Addressee's name Job title Company name and address (6) Attention line: For the attention of (7) Salutation: (Dear Mr./Ms. Hill) (8) Subject title: Re: (9) Body of the letter: 1 .Opening 2. Main part 3. Closing (10) Complimentary close: (11) Signature: p.p. Sender's name (12) Persons in charge: JP/rs (13) Enclosure: Enc. (14) Copies: c.c. (15) Postscript: P.S.

(1) SANDERS & CO Planter House, Princess Street, London EC1 7DQ Telephone:021 236161 Fax: 021 2368592 Telex: 341641 Reg. No. England 155134 Directors: D.R. Sanders, R. Folkner Your Ref: 1439/D (3) Our Ref: DS/MR EXPRESS MAIL The Sales Manager (5) (4) 26th November 2000 Spenlow&Jorkens Ltd. 10-14 Pegotty Street London BB10 CONFIDENTIAL Dear Sir or Madam (7) Re: Contract No. 876/2 Further to our letter of 14th November, we write to advise you of the results of the market research. The findings of the report, a copy of which we enclose herewith, are favorable and clearly indicate that there is a market here for your produce. It will, however, take a little time to introduce your goods to the market. If you are prepared to accept recommendations in the report, we are willing to begin negotiations with a view to rendering your assistance in the above. Your cooperation here will be much appreciated. As to your request of 10th November, in which you ask for more favourable terms, we regret, therefore, that at present we are unable to offer more than the terms agreed last year. Apart from the fact, we are, nevertheless, willing to consider your case in the future, provided that you are prepared to order a little more. We trust that our proposals will be acknowledged with a substantial order. We look forward to your early reply. Yours faithfully (10) R.Folkner (11) Executive Director Enc.: Market Research Report (13)

Business letters are usually printed on special company forms (letter-paper). The size of the letter depends on its subject and content, but usually it’s not longer than one A4 page. Business letters comprise the following components.