М. М. Кутепова The World of Chemistry Мир

RECOMMENDATIONS

ON BUSINESS LETTER WRITING

1. 
   There are two kinds ofletters: personal letters and business letters. Business letters should be written in a simple, clear and concise style. Personal letters are written in a colloquial style. A successful letter is the one written in a natural way, just as if the writer were actually in conversation with the recipient.
   
2. 
   The order of the address should be the following: name of the person, number of the house, name of the street, town, country.
   
3. 
   The main parts in a letter are: 1) the sender’s name and address; 2) the date; 3) the recipient’s name and address (in business letters); 4) the greeting; 5) the body of the letter; 6) the complimentary close; 7) the signature.
   
4. 
   If the sender’s address is not already printed on the paper, we must write it together with the date in the top right-hand corner. A little lower on the left, we begin:
   

Dear Sir, (:)
Dear Madam(e), (:)
Dear Colleague, (:)
Dear Dr. B., (:)
Dear Prof. N., (:)
Dear Mr. (Ms.) Brown, (:) etc.
Notice that in England the name is followed by a comma, but in the United States it may be followed by a colon. Under the comma, or colon we begin with a capital letter.

5. 
   The letter should be written legibly, well punctuated and divided into short paragraphs.
   
6. 
   Some phrases used in ending the letters (the complimentary close):
   

With best wishes and regards, I remain...
Waiting for your prompt reply...
I hope to hear from you soon and remain with kindest regards...
We look forward to hearing from you soon...
In anticipation of your reply, we remain...