Chapter 8
business letter
a formal document typically sent to external communication partners
subject line
brief statement that specifies the letters subject
block letter style
format for a business letter in which all lines, with the exception of the letterhead, begin at the left margin
modified block style
format for a business letter in which the date, complimentary closing, written signature, and keyboarded name start at the horizontal center point and the first line of each paragraph is indented one-half inch
attention line
in the address block, drawing attention to a specific person or position
business memo
informal document used to exchange information among people within an organization
modern business style
language characterized by confident, conversational, courteous, and sincere tone; active voice; strong verbs; parallel structure; short sentences; everyday, concrete, and precise words.
passive/impersonal style
language characterized by official, bureaucratic tone; passive voice; excessive nominalization; convulated sentence structure; superfluous, outdated, and, redundant language; business and legal jargon; and abstract words
informal/colorful style
language characterized by personal, conversational tone; active voice; strong verbs; colorful adjectives and adverbs; parallel structure; short sentences; everyday, concrete, and precise words
indirect strategy
letter-writing style used for negative news in which the main idea is presented after the reasons building to the bad news have been presented
persuasive strategy
letter-writing style used for persuasive letters in which the request is made after the reason(s) have been presented
direct strategy
letter-writing style used for positive or neutral news in which the main idea is presented at the beginning of the letter
complimentary closing
the letters closing
saluation
the letters greeting