Parts of a Letter
What goes at the top of a business letter?
Your address, the date, and the recipients address.
What type of appeal is used when you show how a problem made you feel?
(Bonus points for an example!)
Pathos (Emotional appeal).
ex. Shared Experiences, Hope and Unity, Common Fear, Appeal to Family and Love
What tone should your letter have?
Polite but firm.
What font and spacing should be used?
Times New Roman, double-spaced.
You ordered a shirt online and it came in the wrong size. What could you request?
A replacement or refund.
What is the purpose of the greeting/salutation?
To politely address the recipient.
What type of appeal uses facts or logical reasoning?
(Bonus points for an example!)
Logos (Logical appeal).
ex. 8/10 doctors recommend..., 98% of students..., Statistics Canada states...
True or False: It’s okay to be rude if you're upset or suggest "be better" as a solution.
False
Should you indent paragraphs in a business letter?
No, use block style (left-aligned paragraphs).
A local restaurant had rude service. What might you suggest?
Staff training in customer service.
What do we call the part of the letter that explains the problem in detail?
The body paragraph.
Name one reason a business should want to fix your issue.
To keep a good reputation / retain loyal customers.
What does “professional language” mean?
Using respectful, clear, and formal wording.
What is the proper way to write the date?
Month Day, Year (e.g., April 6, 2025)
Your gaming console stopped working after one week. What might you say?
It was disappointing and unfair, and you’d like a replacement or fix.
What’s the difference between a closing and a signature?
The closing is the polite phrase (e.g., "Sincerely") and the signature is your name written underneath.
What’s one way to suggest a fair solution in your letter?
Offer a refund, exchange, or service improvement.
What should you avoid in your letter?
Slang, rude comments, or overly emotional language.
Where do you put your signature?
Under the closing (like "Sincerely"), with your name.
You found a long hair in your McDonald’s hamburger. You were grossed out and couldn’t finish your meal. What could you write in your letter to express your concern and suggest a fair solution?
You could politely describe what happened and explain how it affected your meal and overall experience. Then, request a refund or a replacement meal, and suggest the restaurant review their food safety or hygiene practices to prevent it from happening again.
In what order should your body paragraph(s) include the necessary details?
Paragraph 1: Describe the problem or issue.
Paragraph 2: Use persuasive language to show why the issue matters. Then, suggest a specific and fair solution.
What does it mean to "see the business’s point of view"?
Show understanding of their challenges while still asking for a solution.
Why is confidence important in persuasive writing?
It shows you're serious and makes your request more convincing.
What might happen if you forget to include the date in your business letter?
The recipient won’t know when the issue happened, which can delay their response or make your complaint less credible.
The King of Eldoria sent his soldiers to protect a village, but a forest witch turned them into frogs for stepping on sacred mushrooms. Now he wants them changed back. What could the king request in his letter, and how can he stay polite but persuasive?
The king could respectfully ask the witch to reverse the spell and suggest a peace offering, like a new enchanted garden or royal protection of the forest. He should acknowledge the mistake, explain the soldiers meant no harm, and express hope for peaceful relations.