Your success may depend upon the kind of letter that you write. You are likely to be judged by what you say and the way you say it. The letter should be short, definite, courteous, and neat. Brown Brothers II LETTERS OF COMPLAINT 1924 North 18 Street, San Francisco, Calif. February 8, 19-. Thirteenth and Market San Francisco, Calif. Gentlemen: The set of dining room furniture which I bought at your recent sale was delivered in bad condition. There is a long scratch on the side of the china-closet; the edge of the table is chipped in an unsightly way, and the leather seat of one of the chairs is imperfect. I was greatly disappointed at receiving these damaged articles, but I feel sure, from my knowledge of the way in which your business is conducted, that you will rectify matters at your earliest convenience. (Mrs. Frederick Lane) Mrs. Frederick Lane Very truly yours, Mary A. Lane Thirteenth and Market It was with the deepest regret that we learned of the unsatisfactory state in which the furniture purchased from us was delivered at your house. We will send our delivery wagon for the furniture at an early hour tomorrow and will return you a perfect set at once. We regret any inconvenience this oversight of ours has caused you and assure you of our appreciation of your belief that we would make things right. We shall do our best to continue to warrant that confidence. Very truly yours, Brown Brothers Numbers of streets, when the numbers are under twelve, should be written in words; as, 615 Seventh Avenue, not 615 7 Avenue. Articles that have been received by local delivery or by express or freight are sometimes damaged in transit or the wrong article or the wrong size or kind is sent. It is sometimes necessary, therefore, to write a letter of complaint to the store that has sent the goods. In writing the letter of complaint, the correspondent should state definitely and courteously what is the matter with the article or goods received. Nearly everyone has occasion at some time to write a letter of this kind. 1. Where do you write the heading of a business letter? 2. How do you punctuate the heading? 3. Where do you write the inside address? 4. How do you punctuate it? 5. How do you write the salutation? 6. What punctuation mark do you use at the end of the salutation? 7. What is the correct complimentary close for a business letter? 8. How do you punctuate it? 9. What is meant by the block form of address and heading? 10. How should a married woman sign her name? an unmarried woman? Exercise. Set up some real situations for business letters; e. g.: 1. You bought a new baseball this afternoon, but when you reached home you found that your father had brought you one on his return from a trip. You would like to return the ball and get a glove. 2. You have heard your chum, John Roberts, tell about the good times he has had at Good Fellowship Camp and you wish to make inquiries about the cost of staying at the camp and the conditions of entrance. 3. You have seen a certain make of fountain pen advertised and wish to order one by mail. 4. Having seen an advertisement in the paper for a young girl who can act as "Mother's Helper" for two hours each day, you wish to apply for the position. 5. You buy a pair of ice skates at a department store. When they are delivered you find that one of the clamps is broken. You wish to register a complaint and to make a request that you receive in exchange a pair of skates in good condition at an early date. Your classmates will tell you: 1. Whether you have made yourself clear. HOW TO FOLD A BUSINESS LETTER The usual size of commercial letter paper is 812 x 11 inches. In folding the paper for the envelope, bring the bottom of the sheet to within about a half inch of the top and crease it evenly (1). This will leave a space at the top of the letter for the one who opens it to take hold of the letter easily. Turn the right edge to 3 2 ward the body. Fold from the bottom to within onethird of the upper edge (2). Fold over the top (3). Each fold should occupy one-third of the width of the paper. In placing the letter in the envelope, keep the loose section toward the top so that it will not catch on the envelope when putting the letter in (4). The flat surface of the letter should be toward the front of the envelope. Business envelopes usually contain the name of the sender in the upper left-hand corner. 113. POEM STUDY Read the following poem carefully. Look up any words you do not understand. OPPORTUNITY This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream: And thought, "Had I a sword of keener steel— Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead, And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shout And saved a great cause that heroic day. -Edward Rowland Sill Reprinted by special permission of the publishers, Houghton Mifflin Company. How many different pictures can you see? What is the first? Describe the others. Who are the main characters? Contrast them. Explain the expression "blue blade." Explain how the title applies to the poem. Which lines must be read so as to show that the thought carries over to the next line? Read the two following poems. Each of them has the same title as the one you have just read. Is the |