How Are Business Letters Used?
Business letters serve a vital role in the external communications of an organization or company. Business letters may be used for everything from selling a product and filing a complaint, to building goodwill, responding to a proposal and applying for a job.
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Function
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Business letters function as formal communication between individuals and among corporate entities. These letters may communicate good or bad news and may serve as formal records of business agreements, transactions and relationships.
Types
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Primary types of business letters include those that communicate acceptance and refusal, acknowledgment, adjustment, transmittal, complaint, inquiry and response. Business letters used during job searches include application and cover letters.
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Features
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Business letters typically have seven or more common features, including a dateline, both a sender and recipient address, one or more body paragraphs, an opening salutation and complimentary closing, as well as the signature of the sender.
Format
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Most types of business letters are formatted in accordance with full-block or modified-block styles. Business letters are usually printed on company letterhead stationery and are rarely longer than one page.
Considerations
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Business letters between organizations often accompany business reports, such as safety reports or quarterly earning reports. Business letters used for job searches will often accompany professional resumes and portfolios.
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