Letter writing skills

M

Marinchik

Registered User
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Hi there,

Just wondering if someone can advise any good cources in Dublin area to improve my business letter writing? I work in brokers, mostly deal with pensions and life and I just want wording in my letters to be really professional and sound smart. Maybe I can download an examples from Internet or something?

Thanks a mill,
 
Poor spelling always draws away from what someone is writing, even if the content is excellent. First any prospective writer should use a spell checker. Also read the Lynn Truss book on grammar. I managed to send my boss to Germany once based on the content of an unnecessary sub clause. So try not to over elaborate either.
 
When writing a business letter, you must be sure that no part of your letter will be misunderstood or misinterpreted. This is why the language you use should be straightforward.

You should make your point as clearly as you can in all correspondence.

Like any other piece of writing a business letter should have a beginning, a middle and an end.

It doesn't matter how short a letter is, the important thing is to communicate your message effectively. Concise is better than long-winded. Don't feel you have to 'fill up' the page to make it look 'balanced'.

Always proofread and spellcheck your letter before you sign it.

As to the layout, there are templates and wizards included in the MS Word program. All typing and word processing books will have guidelines for setting out a business letter. Click File, New (in MS Word) and choose a template, or click the Tools menu and choose the letter wizard. Search Google for business letter templates and guidelines, eg http://www.letterwritingguide.com/. Some businesses store paragraphs or specimen letters and insert the variables as appropriate.

You could consider taking a class in Business Communications - try www.nightcourses.com or contact your local VEC or course provider who may be able to point you in the right direction locally. There are some very good Irish textbooks - I recommend English & Communications for Business Students, 5th edition by John F Scott (Gill & MacMillan) - www.gillmacmillan.ie
 
Thanks for all your replies,

I have already ordered that book from gillmcmillan.com thanks for suggestion miselemeas:) English is my second language thats why I really need some training:)

Thanks again
 
Marinchik said:
Thanks for all your replies,

I have already ordered that book from gillmcmillan.com thanks for suggestion miselemeas:) English is my second language thats why I really need some training:)

Thanks again
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I worked for 5 years in a job that involved letter and report writing for people whose first language was not English. It was a great training as I had to be evry clear, direct and unambigious.

When writing anything now I still read it back and ask myself would somebody whose first language was not English understand this letter.
 
batty said:
I worked for 5 years in a job that involved letter and report writing for people whose first language was not English. It was a great training as I had to be evry clear, direct and unambigious.

When writing anything now I still read it back and ask myself would somebody whose first language was not English understand this letter.
Click to expand...

Not when posting online though, eh?! :p
 
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