1. How to Write a Formal Business
Letter
Based on:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDsQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F
%2Fmstsai.files.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fbusiness-letter-
ppt.ppt&ei=5Kt6T8PLN4jS8QOpvZXCCA&usg=AFQjCNFEve5YYeyuBwpZNVAxT2zqsarOtQ&sig2=Gimz8
BQZAomeRRnAx7zqWw
.
While you are going through
the slideshow, answer the
questions.

2. Scenario:
The bPhone nano just came out,
and of course, as one who keeps
up with technology, you were the
first in line to buy it (because who
wants to pay and wait for
shipping?).
(will arrive 2013)

3. Problem:
There are major glitches with
your new bphone nano. Your
awesome touch screen freezes
every five seconds, the internet
connection isn’t compatible with
your wireless network at
Ruppin…and your battery life is
non-existent.

4. Deal with the problem in a businesslike
manner:
Write a FORMAL BUSINESS LETTER.
When you write a formal business
letter to a business or an
organization, keep the tone
formal.

5. Write a formal business letter to
a business or an organization.
Keep the tone formal.
How do we create a FORMAL tone?
What is TONE?
the overall attitude a writer projects
toward the reader and the topic
Sentence structure, formality and specificity
of vocabulary, and neatness all contribute to a
letter's tone.

6. Compare the following conversations:
Your best friend, wants to know all about your
date with Tom last night.
Sara: Nu? How was it!!!
Me: Okay, like, oh my goodness, he showed
up with a dozen roses and took me to this
awesome restaurant, and we totally hung
out at the pier.
Sara: Shut up!!
Me: Serious!

7. Your grandmother somehow found out about
Tom and wants to know all about your date:
Grandma: How was your date last night, dear?
Me: It was delightful, Grandma. Tom was a
perfect gentleman.
Grandpa: Of course he would be – only the best
for my granddaughter.
Me: Tom took me to Cheesecake Factory
and then we went for a walk on the pier.
Grandma: Well, isn’t that sweet!

8. There are two questions.
5. Which conversation used formal language?
a. b.
6. Which conversation used informal language?
a. b.

9. Why are you writing the letter?
• To make an inquiry
• To reply to a letter
• To order something
• To acknowledge receipt of something
• To sell or advertise something
• To give instruction
• To make a claim
• To make a complaint
• To apply for a job
7. The list here refers to
the ___ of the letter.
Complete the sentence
with one word.

10. Business
Letter in
Block Style
Notice that you
don’t indent at all
in a block style
business letter.
7. A formal business
letter has __ main
parts.
Complete the
sentence with one
word.

11. 1. Margins: the
space around
your letter.

12. 2. You need
your own or
your business
address.
This part goes
in the
“heading”
section.
Underneath
inside
address, put
the date.

13. 3. Put the
recipient’s
name, job
title and
address in
the “inside
address”
section.
Double space.

14. 4. Salutation/Greeting
Dear Ms. Smith
Use Sir and
Madam when
name is unknown.
Double space.

15. 5. Body: State
your purpose
for writing this
letter in the
“opening.” Add
information in
the “middle”.
Be formal and
polite.

16. In the “middle,”
you may have
more than one
paragraph. If
you do, between
each paragraph,
be sure to double
space.

17. 6. Closing:
Yours sincerely,
3-4 spaces after
the closing
Then your name and
job title. In between
the closing and your
name, sign your name.