I. How to Express Ideas in Business Letters. Details. 1. In business letters it is well to give a separate paragraph to each of the points on which we are giving information or asking for information. These paragraphs should present the points clearly and definitely and in logical order. 2. All such details as express, freight, inclosures, and remittances, should be carefully mentioned. 3. In replying to a business letter, we should first acknowledge the receipt of our correspondent's letter and the date on which it was written. It is often well to repeat the substance of the inquiry or other business given in the letter to which we are replying. All inclosures should be acknowledged. The points mentioned in the letter should then be answered one by one, directly and definitely, and such explanations made as are necessary. We may then go on to any new subject which we may wish to raise. II. Expression of Ideas in Composition. Read the following letters: Merrimack Mills Company, Tewksbury, Mass. DEAR SIRS: 1. HOPEDALE, N. H., December 1, 1920. We have returned to Tewksbury, via American Express, eight jack-spools charged on your bill of November 15, 1920. Kindly pass the same to our credit and oblige HOPEDALE MILLS COMPANY. 2. BOSTON, MASS., September 19, 1920. The Broadway Garage Company, DEAR SIRS: Lynn, Mass. We wish respectfully to call your attention to your account as it stands on our books, and to ask that, if possible, you mail us a check for the amount due,-nine hundred seventeen dollars and forty cents ($917.40). We have a number of obligations to meet the incoming week, and an early and favorable reply from you would greatly assist us in so doing. Thanking you for past favors and awaiting your further orders, we are, Yours very truly, AUTOMOBILE SUPPLY COMPANY. 3. NORWOOD, Mass., May 15, 1920. Mrs. Edward T. Johnson, DEAR MADAM:— Your letter of the 12th inst. is at hand. In answer to your inquiries concerning board and rooms at the Naumkeag, I am sending a catalogue which will give you, I think, all the information you need. Respectfully yours, (MISS) RUTH JENKS. Class discussion. What are the chief characteristics of the letters given above? Do you find any cases of over-wording? Any cases where more explanation seems to be necessary? Why was there any need of mentioning the American Express, or the number of spools in the first letter? What answer will the Automobile Shipping Company expect to their letter (Letter 2)? What need was there of mentioning the date in the third letter? Of repeating the inquiries given in Mrs. Johnson's letter? Subjects for Business Letters. Choose any one of the following: 1. Write an answer to the second letter given above. 2. Improve the letter given in paragraph 6 of this lesson. 3. Answer the following letter:-"I see by last night's Tribune that you have some fancy hens for sale. Will you kindly inform me whether you have any Cochin Chinas, and, if so, when I may call to inspect them with view to purchase?" 4. Write for the booklet here advertised. The New York Central Lines' Four-Track Series No. 10, "The St. Lawrence River from the Thousand Islands to the Saguenay," contains the finest map ever made of this region. Copy will be sent free, postpaid, on receipt of a two-cent stamp, by George H. Dane, Manager, Room 28, General Advertising Department, Grand Central Station, Concord. 5. You ordered on a certain date from the Boothman Clothing Company, Emporia, Kansas, nine sweaters. You have received only eight of them, and you are very anxious to supply the team for next Saturday's game. Write to the company about the matter. Remember that the time is short, and that you should therefore be explicit with regard to the kind of sweaters you ordered. 6. Write a letter for the Boothman Clothing Company in reply to your letter to them. 7. Answer a letter of inquiry for information concerning the size of your school, the courses of study offered, and the certificate privileges given. LESSON XXIV I. How to Express Ideas in Business Letters. Folding the Letter and Addressing the Envelope. 1. Good taste and good form require as much care in folding the letter and in addressing the envelope as in writing the letter. 2. Folding the letter. 1. Letter-paper. Bring the lower edge of the sheet up to within a quarter-inch of the upper edge, with the writing inside. Hold the two edges together firmly and press the fold. When the sheet is thus folded, turn it one-third from the right to the left, and one-third from the left to the right. 2. Commercial note. Turn the lower edge up one-third of the page, with the writing inside, and the upper edge down to fit the envelope. 3. Addressing the envelope. In addressing the envelope, be sure to give the full address and to spell all names correctly. Write legibly with due attention to the sense of proportion and to spacing. In the upper left hand corner of the envelope write your own address. Exercise 1. Practice folding paper properly. Exercise 2. On unruled paper draw a number of oblongs the size of a business envelope. On these oblongs write the addresses given with the letters in these lessons, or other addresses of which you know. Exercise 3. When you feel satisfied with the appearance of your oblongs, write the address used in one of II. Expression of Ideas in Composition. 1. FALL RIVER, MASS., May 15, 1920. Smith Manufacturing Company, GENTLEMEN: Nashua, N. H. We shipped to your address today by Merchants' Express, 4 crates, Nos. 4260, 4716, 506, and 4120, containing together 14 your letters on an envelope, fold the letter and put it into the envelope. Two models are given below: Boston, Mass. |