Hints and Tips

How to write effective business letters, reports and emails.

Business letters:

• Include your address and contact details unless using headed paper

• Date as a reference point for future communications

• Greeting - use 'Dear Mr' and then the recipient's surname name followed by a coma

• References are written in bold

• Be concise

• Close with Yours sincerely (addressed to a named person) or Yours faithfully (addressed generally eg. Sir)

Business Reports
Normally include:

• Title page

• Executive summary

• Table of contents

• List of tables and figures

• Introduction

• Main body

• Conclusions

• Recommendations

• References and appendices

• Always review, read over and critically examine before submission 

Email flexibility:

• Fast

• Can be used for bulk communications

• Cheaper than other methods of communicating

• Can handle most formats of computer files

• Can be sent at any time

Email in a business context
Consider:

• Approach - language and layout should be as for writing business letters

• Confidentiality - if the information is sensitive or confidential email may not be a suitable

• Delivery - face to face communication or a formal business letter might be more effective

• For large amounts of text send a file as an attachment

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