Answer: I would like to inform you of the changes.
To practise writing openings, do the exercise below.
Read the two situations below and write an appropriate opening for each of them.
Situation 1: You are replying to a customer who called this morning asking for details about opening a new account.
Situation 2: You are replying to a customer's letter that you received yesterday. He would like to know why delivery of his order is late.
Suggested answers: Situation 1: Situation 2: |
FACTS
In the Opening, you provide your reader with background information and state your purpose.
In the next part of the letter - Facts - you provide all the information your reader needs so that they can
understand your purpose completely
respond appropriately.
Remember, though - only one main idea per paragraph! If you have a lot of information for the reader, write several paragraphs in this section.
ACTION
After reading the information you have provided in the Facts section, your reader should be able to respond.
In the next section -- Action -- you should tell your reader
how to respond (what they need to do)
when to respond (by what date/time).
For example, if you are writing to invite someone to lunch, what do you want your reader to do? Come to lunch, right? It may seem obvious to you, but you need to make it obvious to your reader, too. That will get the result you want.
Example:
Writer's Purpose: |
I'd like to invite you to lunch next Thursday. |
Reader's Response: |
Please call by Tuesday and let me know if you can come. |
What you want your reader to do often depends on why you are writing.
Writer's purpose | Reader's response |
Invite | Please let me know if you will be able to join us. |
Confirm | If we need to make any changes to the schedule, please let me know before Friday. |
Inform | Please adopt the new dress code from 1 September. |
Request | Please send your bid to us by 15 March. |
Comp |
Please deliver the delayed shipment within three days. |
REMARKS
When writing to customers, you want to end politely and positively. You often can do this with just one sentence.
But be careful! Try to make your writing
Have you ever written sentences like these? Would you actually say them to someone in person?
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. |
Think about a more natural way to close a letter, memo, fax or e-mail.
Examples:
I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to receiving your order.
I hope this information is useful.
Please call me if you need any further information.
Please call me if you have any questions.