Identifies humorous problems with salutations for business letters. (MS)

This abridged article, part of "Studies in the History of Business Writing," examines apologetic, vituperative, and businesslike letters between 1592-1873. (PD)

Writing letters to elected officials and letters to the editor helps students articulate their thoughts based on sound evidence and valid reasoning, avoiding "sounding off" and emotional appeals. Writing skills, critical thinking, and civic values are reinforced. (SK)

Discusses the advice on correspondence provided in "The Universal Letter Writer," a nineteenth century handbook written by Mathew Carey. Includes sample letters from the book illustrating various kinds of business correspondence from that period. (HTH)

Offers a revisionist view of business letter writing that emphasizes content and real world contact over form and punctuation. (TB)

In a correspondence class, students were asked to name a hero or heroine and list their qualities. Many named parents or grandparents, and the teacher wrote letters telling them what the students had said about them. The letter was to convey the student's respect and appreciation, something they often find difficult to do in person. (JOW)

Describes a sales letter lecture and writing assignment in which students write sales letters on real products of personal interest using product information from "Consumer Reports" magazine. (SR)

Using the Q-sort technique, 15 bankers assessed 60 business letters, which were also evaluated by 6 postsecondary instructors. An average of 15 deficiencies per letter in composition and technical writing aspects was found. Bankers' perceived difficulties differed from those identified by instructors. (SK)

Features of the modern simplified letter style are discussed and an example included. It is noted that research indicates that typists increase their business letter output by approximately 20 percent when using the modern simplified letter style as opposed to the traditional letter styles. (TA)

Tips are offered for writing effective letters to Congressmen and editors in order to influence policymaking. (TA)

Discusses the typical business-writing organizational patterns used in the United Kingdom to convey bad-news messages in business letters. (SR)

Examines the content of president's letters of high and low performing firms to discover patterns in communication strategy. Finds six recurring themes: environment; growth; operating philosophy; markets and products; unfavorable financial reference; and favorable financial reference. Finds that high- and low performing firms can be correctly…

Compares 214 letters of inquiry written by native and nonnative speakers of English to test the assumption that cultural factors beyond language such as the knowledge of the business communication practices and cultural expectations greatly affect communication. Finds that native speakers' letters deviated less from U.S. business communication…

Focuses on four key aspects of the British business message: organization, style, mechanics, and format. Notes that, with information about these matters, U.S. business writers can prepare culturally sensitive business correspondence for British audiences. Includes samples of appropriate letters. (RS)

A business letter writing seminar was developed by the Center for Executive Development at Arizona State University at the request of the American Express Company's credit card division in Phoenix. Sessions were held on company premises and included basic correspondence and writing techniques for company production form letters, pattern…