Writing since time immemorial has been and remains one of the most common ways of exchanging information. Types of letters change significantly over the years. If about 30 years ago, the people of our country could not even imagine the electronic transmission of information, now almost all companies base their work on such documentation. Although the transmission process has changed significantly, the types and essence of the letters remain the same.
Types of business letters
In the process of work of any enterprise, business letters are used to solve a wide variety of issues. Therefore, there are quite a lot of types of written documentation.
Types of business letters on a territorial basis:
- domestic correspondence;
- correspondence of international importance.
Based on the method of delivery of the letter to the recipient, distinguish:
- correspondence sent by mail;
- letters sent by fax;
- Messages that are in the form of an email.
Based on the status of participants in correspondence:
- correspondence of legal entities (on behalf of a company, organization);
- transfer of correspondence between individuals.
Business letters are distinguished based on the number of recipients:
- letter addressed to 1 recipient;
- letters addressed to several recipients at once.
Types of business letters are distributed depending on the area of their application:
- top management correspondence;
- commercial correspondence;
- letters related to court cases;
- personal correspondence.
According to their orientation, types of English letters are distinguished:
- initiative correspondence.
- reply correspondence.
By type of writing:
- regulated (letters written on the basis of the established form);
- unregulated (letters not stipulated by the rules).
Types of letters by degree of hierarchy:
- letters from organizations that hold a higher administrative position;
- correspondence of subordinate organizations;
- letters from third organizations not specified in the contract.
Based on the problems of the message, we can distinguish:
- financial correspondence;
- legal correspondence;
- letters on the material and technical base of the organization.
Letters can be divided depending on the goal pursued by the sender:
- correspondence sent to the addressee to resolve business issues;
- letters of etiquette nature, which are sent to influence the emotions of the recipient.
Types of informational letters
By functional purpose, the following types of letters are distinguished:
1. Informational letters are messages whose main purpose is to provide information to the recipient. This type of correspondence can be represented by the following types:
- An informational message is a message that carries, as a rule, official information. Often, it explains the essence of normative and legislative acts. Information letters may be sent to a wide range of recipients.
- A letter-message is a message with the help of which the sender informs about interesting and relevant information for both parties. This type of letter can be either proactive or respond to a previously sent message with a request or request.
- Cover letter - a message that clarifies and complements the package of documents sent. For example, in the case of employment, along with a resume, job description, biography and other necessary documents, you need to send a short list and content.
- Reminder message - a letter that asks the recipient to perform duties or actions as agreed.
- A notification message is a letter that informs about the upcoming mass joint events (seminars, conferences, etc.). Typically, this message is sent to a large circle of recipients, representatives of other organizations, to invite and encourage them to participate.
The notification not only informs about the date and time of the upcoming event, but also about the topic, goals and conditions of its holding:
- A notification message is a letter used to transmit official information about a mass event or meeting. Notification, as a rule, notifies a wide range of interested parties, therefore it can be published in print media.
- A letter-advertisement is a message that positively affects potential buyers of goods and services, increases the desire to purchase a particular item or use services.
Request letter and offer letter
A letter of request or a letter for making a proposal is a type of notification that encourages the recipient to perform certain actions that are of interest to the sender of the letter.
Allocate the main types of letters of request and proposals:
- A letter of request is a message that is aimed at prompting action or obtaining important information for the author of the letter. Such a request message in any case requires a response.
- A letter containing a request is a message whose main purpose is to receive official confirmation, important information or certain documents. Like the request letter, the request requires a response.
- Offer letter - a message that is aimed at making a proposal to a potential client, partner organization or future employee. Such a message with a proposal can be either proactive or respond to a previously received request or request.
- An application letter is a message through which an organization expresses its desire to participate in a particular event, conference, exhibition or expresses its consent to the provision of services or the supply of goods. This type of letter does not require a mandatory response from the recipient. The main thing is that he will respond to the letter of request and, for example, include the organization in the action plan or supply the necessary goods, provide a service.
- An order letter is a message with an initiative proposal by the buyer regarding the signing of an agreement with specific conditions. Most often, an order is a response to a business proposal.
- An invitation letter is a message that contains a proposal on the participation of an organization in certain events. If organizations have special letterheads, and the event is solemn and official, then such a letter is issued on them.
Claim letter and claim
- A letter containing a claim or claim is a message that is sent to the organization or individual in case one of the parties has not completed the tasks at all, undertaken the obligations or has done it improperly.
- A letter containing a demand is such a message, the purpose of which is to encourage the recipient to fulfill his obligations, assigned functions in the event that violations of existing agreements may or have already occurred.
- A claim letter is a message that includes an application for non-compliance with the main points of a contract and a claim for damages.
Rejection letter with refusal or consent to the offer
A response letter is a message that is sent to the author of a letter of request, invitation, request or proposal.
Types of service response letters distinguish the following:
- A letter of consent is a message that includes a positive response to a letter with a request, proposal or request.
- Refusal letter - a message that includes a negative response to a letter with a request, request or proposal.
Letters that contain a commitment, guarantee or confirmation
Kinds service letters containing a guarantee, obligation or confirmation is:
- Guarantee letter - a message that includes a commitment or confirms the quality of work performed on time, delivery of goods, payment of credit funds. Warranty letters can be addressed to both legal entities and individuals.
- A confirmation letter is a message in which the recipient informs the sender of the initiative letter that he received documents or material values sent earlier. This type of letter also serves to communicate consent to participate in an event or to implement certain previously signed clauses of an agreement.
- A letter of recommendation is a message in which, as a rule, an organization presents a characteristic to an individual so that he can get a job or undergo training and so on.
Label letters
Etiquette letters are messages that express condolences, attention, congratulations, or participation.
The following types of letters of etiquette character are distinguished:
- A congratulatory letter is a service message that is sent to congratulate a person on a special occasion.
- A gratitude letter is a message that is sent to an individual or legal entity with the aim of expressing gratitude for the services rendered, the measures taken or the actions taken.
- A letter of condolence is a type of text that is drawn up if necessary to participate and express condolences. Such a letter is sent in case of death, natural disaster or accident.
- An apology letter is a message in which the sender apologizes for the incorrect performance of services or the commission of actions.
What types of mailings are there?
There are various types of letters. Mail distinguishes the following types of items:
- A simple letter is a message whose sending process is the easiest. You need to take a document or a message written on a sheet, put it in an envelope, write the address of the recipient and sender with the index, stick the stamp and drop the envelope in the mailbox. One of the drawbacks of this type of letter is that the sender cannot follow when his message is sent. Although statistics show that most of the letters successfully reach the recipient. However, it is better not to send important documents with a simple letter. The disadvantage of this type of sending is that after your sending the letter will be weighed. If it turns out to be more than the norm (the approximate size is 2 paper sheets) with the usual mark, it will return to one of the post offices. To send it again, you will need to stand in line and pay a few cash bills for an advantage.
- Ordered letter. Such a message will need to be registered at one of the post offices. When the letter reaches the recipient, you can find out by receipt.
- Registered letter with delivery. A distinctive feature of a regular registered letter is that a special tear-off coupon is attached to it, which indicates: sender's address, surname and address of the recipient, a brief description of what is in the envelope. A few days later, this coupon should be delivered to the sender with the signature of the recipient as a guarantee that the letter was delivered in person.
- A registered letter with a description of the attachment. Such a message can be sent both as a registered one and with a notification. The main thing is to fill out the mail form with a list of attachments which is at any post office. It is filled in two copies, one of which with an unsealed letter must be returned to the postal worker, and the second remains with you.
Letters as a type of speech activity
There are only 4 types of speech activity: listening, speaking, reading and writing. It should also be noted that speaking and listening appeared, of course, earlier than writing and reading. Until recently, the first types of speech activity remained the main ones. Writing, reading not only equalized, but also became more popular and prevailing. All this is due to the rapid introduction of IT-technologies, the popularization of the Internet throughout the world, as well as due to the development of dependence on technical means of transmitting information.
Writing as a type of speech activity occupies a leading position, as modern people spend more and more time at work, and communication in social networks with the transmission of messages more and more crowds out communication live. In modern conditions, it is difficult to imagine an organization whose work would not be dependent on email.
Writing as an activity is a very effective way of communication, but, despite all the advantages, there are many disadvantages:
- The recipient is absent at the time of writing, so there is no intermediate feedback.
- The author does not have the opportunity to make the letter intonated, so it can be perceived by the recipient ambiguously. The sender has to select phrases for the correct interpretation of thoughts longer and more thoroughly.
- There is no way for the sender to use sign language and facial expressions.
Letters to Santa Claus
There are various types of letters to Santa Claus. Such a message is very important in the life of every child; therefore, children are very responsible in writing it. Parents need to think through all the little things of his writing in order to help their children arrange everything beautifully.
The value of this type of letter can not be underestimated, because parents from its contents can find out what their baby really wants. And the children show their imagination and acquire the first skills in writing messages in a playful way. And most importantly - they do it with great pleasure.
There are 5 types of letters and examples of their design for Santa Claus:
- Template for a message to Santa Claus. This type is the simplest of all types. You just need to find the option of filling out a letter with a postcard that you like and print it, adding your details and wishes.
- DIY handmade greeting card for Santa Claus. A child can prepare such a postcard with the help of an adult or independently. To do this, you just need to take a sheet of multi-colored cardboard and make decorations on it (Christmas trees, snowflakes, snowmen, squirrels, a symbol of the coming year, Santa Claus, Snow Maiden, etc.) from rain or cotton wool. For a beautiful decoration, you can also use multi-colored fabric, beads, colored or white paper, serpentine, beads, sand, walnut shells.
- Family letter. You can write an original letter with the symbols of your family. To do this, you need to come up with pseudonyms for family members or simply call everyone a fairy-tale or cartoon character. For such a letter, it is better to take parchment and write a message in a beautiful handwriting, at the end adding the symbols of your family: flag, coat of arms and seal.
- Collage in the New Year's style. You can take a white cardboard or sheet of paper and stick on it carved in advance figures of children, animals, Santa Claus, Snow Maiden and other favorite characters.
- Stamps and envelopes. An envelope for such a thing is better to choose a bright and festive. You can buy it in a store or do it yourself by sticking a stamp. The envelope can also be unusually decorated in New Year's style and create your own stamp.
