A business letter is usually comprised of three paragraphs, each of which has its own rules of writing. In a standard business letter, the first paragraph usually describes the nature of the business, what the company does, and who is its customer. The second paragraph will talk about the reason why the customer needs the product or service being offered. And the third paragraph will summarize the entire offer, including the benefits. But not all letters conform to this format. There are actually many variants.
- One of the most common formats is the business formal format, which is also known as business letter writing.
- This format has been around for decades and is very commonly used. It is a formal set of rules that guide the writing process.
- Each word in the text must be pronounced and there should be a sentence beginning with “and” that clearly indicates what the writer means.
- The format also includes many words that may not be understandable to most people and which could be omitted. Some punctuation marks are required as well.
Another style of document is the informal style. Unlike formal styles, it doesn’t have any prerequisites for grammar and spelling. All one has to do is type whatever words are needed and put them at the appropriate place. In an informal letter, there are no rules; it’s all based on your own intuition. You can even use initials if you want.
An informal letter can be more conversational than formal ones. One good example of an informal letter is an e-mail. Electronic mail is one of the easiest ways to communicate, and it allows you to write things on the fly, as they may already be sent to someone else. If you’re sending out paper documents though, it would be better to stick to the more formal format.
Even in written forms like letters, there are still some guidelines that one has to follow. There are the format for bullets and numbering, the format for footnotes and Explanations, the format for inserting references and last but not least, the format for body paragraphs. One doesn’t have to adhere strictly to all these formats though. What is important is to follow basic rules, such as using proper punctuation marks, keeping sentences to a minimum and avoiding grammar and spelling errors. A well-written, formal letter will surely give off a professional impression, be it to a business partner, a client or a prospective employer. Thus, informal style in writing is becoming more popular these days.
Writing a business letter can really be a fun experience. It is less formal than formal writing and allows you to express your thoughts clearly and concisely. Formal communication is mostly for formal occasions, and informal mode of communication is ideal for everyday use. That doesn’t mean though that it lacks its uses. Even with informal style, it can still be a powerful tool for communicating your message.