Business Letters

Checklist

When you write a business letter, use this checklist to remind you of the key principles of effective letter writing:

Keep it Short

• Cut needless words and needless information
• Cut stale phrases and redundant statements
• Cut the first paragraph if it refers to previous correspondence
• Cut the last paragraph if it asks for future correspondence

Keep it Simple

• Use familiar words, short sentences and short paragraph
• Keep your subject matter as simple as possible
• Keep related information together
• Use a conversational style

Keep it Strong

• Answer the reader's question in the first paragraph
• Give your answer and then explain why
• Use concrete words and examples
• Keep to the subject

Keep it Sincere

• Answer promptly
• Be human and as friendly as possible
• Write as if you were talking to your reader