Business Letter Writing(Level III)

123 Reuben Crescent
11 Green Street        
Kingston 13              

October 4, 2008 

Mr. John Learner
Human Resource Manager
Carib Builders Limited
26 High Boulevard
Mandeville
Jamaica


Dear Mr. Learner:

Writing a business letter can be a daunting task to anyone who is unfamiliar and uncomfortable with formal correspondence. However business letters can be broken down into simple separate elements.

The first element of a business letter is the sender's address. In  a fully blocked format this, and all other elements, are written on the left with no indentation. The second element is the date. It is important to note that elements are separated by a blank line.

The third element is the address of the business to which you are writing. In this section be sure to include the name and position of the person to whom you are corresponding. Otherwise you will be forced to open with a salutation(the fourth element) of Dear Sir/Madam. This should be avoided at all cost.

The fifth element is the body of the letter. In this section you express your main ideas in a clear, concise manner. Remember that the fully blocked format does not include any indentation. Therefore blank spaces are used to separate paragraphs. Please see below the final element.


Sincerely,

________________
Marvin Williams (Mr.)
Instructor
Click here to view another sample of a business letter.There's also a sample complaint letter. Follow this link to further reading on writing letters of complaint.

Speaking Without Words

There are several different ways of communicating one's feelings, ideas and intentions. The most commonly used form is verbal. Most persons communicate orally their messages and this is not surprising. Before the print and telecommunications media came into prominence information was passed and preserved orally in the forms of stories told from generation to generation. Next came hieroglyphics where pictures were drawn to depict a story. These two forms of communication are examples of non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is communication that is done without the use of spoken words. These include:

• Body Language
  
• Vocal Elements such as quality, pitch, tone etc.
• Space
• Physical Characteristics and Appearance
• Symbols

Non-verbal communication serves to:

• Support or reinforce verbal messages
  
• Contradict/invalidate verbal messages
• Replace or substitute for verbal messages
• Regulate verbal messages
• Change the flow of verbal messages

Non-verbal cues are powerful tools of communications. However many non-verbal cues are culturally based and as such their meaning may be misunderstood by someone outside of the culture from which it derives its meaning.

It is important to recognize the message that is sent beyond the spoken words. "Reading between the lines" is a communication skill that is well worth mastering. It could be the difference between failure and success!
To read an exerpt on non-verbal communication from your learner guide click here

Writing Reports: Technically Speaking!

Writing technical report is a challenging exercise that requires a lot of thought. However every difficult task can be broken up into steps that can be accomplished one at a time. Therefore try to understand technical report writing for vocational learners, one task at a time.

Task 1: Understanding the structure of a technical report

STRUCTURE OF A REPORT

The list below shows the general content of a technical report.

1. Introduction
2. Background and Context
3. Technical Detail
4. Results
5. Discussion and Conclusion

The report may also include a summary or abstract which is normally placed before the introduction. You may also include appendices after the discussion and conclusion.

Assignments! Assignments! Assignments!

The following post is designated to assignments. Check the post regularly to see updates of newly added assignments. The intended groups and dates for the assignments will be indicated. Feel free to attempt and submit any assignment (even if it does not apply to you!). Feedback on assignments will be given at the earliest possible time.

Technical Report Groups

Assignment One
Answer all of the following questions

1. What is meant by primary and secondary sources of information?
2. Give two examples of each (at least two of these examples should come from your experience in doing your research project).
3. Name one benefit of each type of information.
4. Name one advantage and disadvantage of collecting information by
• Interviewing
• Questionnaires
5. Give one example of an open-ended and a close-ended question.
6. Draft a simple example of two questionnaire items that capture biodata.
7. Draft a simple example of how an open-ended question would be placed on a questionnaire.
8. Give a definition for a likert scale.
9. Draft a simple example of a five point likert scale with three likert items.
10. Give one reason why you would supply the reason for the questionnaire before you present it to be completed.


Due Date: One Week From The Date You Were Given The Assignment By Your Instructor



Air Conditioning Group

Download the file by clicking on the link below and choose download. If you wish you can read the exercise online as well by selecting preview. Answer all the questions then submit your answers to Miss King or any instructor in the related department.
classwork

Having trouble writing in the past tense? Try the following tips.

1. Keep your ideas simple.
   
2. Use one action per sentence.
3. Make sure your verbs are in the past tense. Remember it should end in "d" or "ed", unless the verb is irregular. To see irregular verbs click here


4. If you wish to use the present perfect e.g. I have lived or the past perfect e.g. I had lived- look back in your notes and/or click the link (underlined word) for futher reading

The Will & The Way Forward!

We all have within us the power to achieve,
If only we turn on the power to believe.
We all hold dear the dreams we conceive,
Of golden fortunes that we wish to receive.

By what standards do we seek to measure?
The pain we endure or the frequency of pleasure?
Should we strive to be smart or hope to be clever?
Do we focus on the win or on the endeavour?

We should lift ourselves from self-degradation,
And raise high the bar of our self-expectation.
We should never stop early the upward toil,
Never be lukewarm! Let your water boil!
- Marvin Williams

Click the link below to "Light the fire within"
The Degree of Excellence
Click the link below to download an inspiring tale of local excellence!
Famous Jamaicans

Getting Started

Welcome everyone! It is good to see that you have made the decision to go high-tech with your communication learning. This blog will serve as a resource centre for your communication needs.
Listed below are some helpful links alongside the name of the intended group. However feel free to view any link! (Even if it does not apply to you)

GC Level 3
Poetry
http://www.owled.com/poetry.html
http://stonegulch.com/understandingpoetry.html
http://personal.monm.edu/CKAISER/Understanding%20Poetry.htm

CXC English Syllabus (Posted 2006)
http://www.caribbeanischool.com/syllabus/english2006.swf

English Paper 1 Topics
http://www.caribexams.org/cxce_p1tps

English Paper 2 Topics
http://www.caribexams.org/cxce_p2tps

Marking Scheme For English
http://www.caribexams.org/eng_mkscheme

Time Management Tips For English
http://www.caribexams.org/etme_mgmt

Exam Topics Tutorial
http://www.caribexams.org/eng_tutorial


Accelerated Level 2
Grammar
http://www.myenglishteacher.net/

English Grammar Workout Exercises (Was it fun? Please comment)
http://www.ericschiller.com/activities.htm

Testing Your Vocabulary
http://www.manythings.org/dl/

Pronunciation Practise
http://www.manythings.org/pp/

Spelling Practice
http://www.manythings.org/cts/
http://www.manythings.org/vocabulary/games/l/
http://a4esl.org/q/j/ck/mc-spelling.html
http://a4esl.org/q/h/mc-lr.html
http://www.manythings.org/wbg/