Types of

Business
Letters
Letter writing is the only device for combining
solitude with good company

—Lord Byron
 Writing Good vs Bad – News
Business Letters
If the business letter directly affects and stirs the emotions and feelings
of the reader, it is either a good or bad news business letter. If you are
writing a letter promoting someone form your employee in your company, if
you are commending a team in your corporation for beating the monthly
sales, you are probably writing a good – news letter. The good – news
business letter is light in mood expressing pleasant information.
Unfortunately, there will be times wherein you will be required to write
bad – news business letters. If you are writing a letter rejecting a job
applicant, if you are writing a thank you letter for an employee, or worst
writing a letter to fire an employee, you are probably writing a bad – news
business letter.
 Common Types of Business Letters
Application Letter of
01 Letter Request 04
Letter of Inquiry
02 Letter of Order
Letter of Reply or
05
03 Response
1. Application Letter
Is sometimes called cover letter, is composed
persuasively whenever you are applying for your
target job. This letter is usually accompanied by
your resume for additional information of your
experiences and skills.
 In writing your application letter, you may follow this format

First Second Last

Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph
Explain why you
Determine the
deserve the job Even if you think
reason/s why
without being too you are hired or
you are applying
boastful. You not, thank the
for the job.
may support it by hiring personnel.
Mention if the
citing your
job is solicited or
qualifications.
unsolicited.
 There are 3 types of resume:
Chronological Resume
Focuses on the employment history of the applicant. This style is ideal for those
who already have several work experiences showing steady career growth.

Functional Resume
Focuses on skills rather than on employment history. This style is ideal for
those who are fresh graduates seeking for their first job

Combination Resume
Focuses on drawing the best features or strong points of chronological and
functional resume styles.
2. Inquiry Letter
Is a letter that asks for a particular
information or assistance. This type of
business letter is direct and the questions
are constructed to get the information
straightforwardly.
In writing a letter of inquiry consider, the following guidelines:

This part may contain

the explanation or list
of questions.
Third
First Second
Paragraph
Paragraph Paragraph
Begin with the most The ending should
important question or tell the reader what
summarizing the you want to be done
statement. and when.
3. Letter of Reply or
Response
Is written in response to a letter of
inquiry which directly answers all the
inquiries regarding the company’s
products or services. As part of
business as usual, most companies
promptly reply to all the inqquiries
adressed to them.
 In writing the letter of response, the following steps may
help you:

Build goodwil and

pave the way for
future contacts by Acknowledge the
using a cordial or inquiry by mentioning
friendly tone. important details from
the letter of inquiry you
Answer the received.
questions fully
and send prompt
replies.
 4. Letter of Request
Is commonly used to everywhere. We daily use it
in academe, in industry, even in corporate world.
The main purpose of this letter is to request for
something you need.
 First Second Last
paragraph Paragraph Paragraph

(orientation) This is (information) In this (action) thank the

the introduction part part, you need to person in charge to
where you begin with mention the promote good will.
the details of the requested materials
event or any activity. or equipment or even
The date, time, and venue. You need to
venue should be also be very specific in
indicated. this part.
 5. Letter of Order
Is one type of business letter which is written
for the purpose of purchasing items that are
for sale:
 An order letter according to Rosales et al (2009) usually
contains the following:
A. Name of the item ordered A. Method of shipment desired by the
buyer
B. Description of each item, giving size,
style, finish, quality, material, weight, or B. Address where the goods are to be
whatever will help in identifying the shipped or delivered
article wanted.
C. Date of shipment
C. Catalog number of the item, if it is
available D. Credit references, if payment is made
from an account
D. Quantity of each item wanted
E. Mode of payment
E. Price of each item and the total price of
the order
Qualifications and carter objective will help you select
format of your resume:
1. Chronological Resume Format Includes

• Applicant’s name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Job objectives
• Education
• Work history – listed job by job, beginning with the
most recent position.
 3. Combination Resume
2. Functional format highlights the
Resume formats best features of 1 and 2
focuses on the emphasizing the
applicant’s skills applicant’s capabilities
rather than on while also including a
complete job history
previous
and is recommended
employment. for fresh graduates.