Sugar>Vinegar; Writing and Effective Complaint Letter by: Ann-Marie Navidomskis

Have you ever heard the old adage: “You’ll catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar?” Well, this saying still rings true; especially if you need to write a complaint letter.
Frequently by the time we need to write a complaint letter we’re likely to be irritated and angry. If this is the case for your complaint letter proceed reading before you proceed writing. If you write a complaint letter that reflects this annoyance your claim will likely be ignored because you will seem irrational and vengeful. The best complaint letters, and the ones that receive the best responses, do not sound angry at all. That is where the sugar (i.e. politeness) is more powerful than the vinegar (i.e. the anger).
It’s important to keep in mind that the recipient of your letter likely isn’t the person who is causing you the grief and it is their job to fix your dilemma not to be disrespected or insulted. If you’d like to receive the best response and action for your complaint follow the rules of TEA POTS:

Tell the background information. Be as specific as possible with order numbers, part names,
dates, and copies of the receipts, bills or contracts.
Explain logically, clearly and specifically what went wrong.
Avoid speculation. State only facts.

Provide a possible solution. State what you expect the reader to do so the problem is solved to
your (reasonable) satisfaction.
Optional warning about consequences.
Ta-ta! Bid your reader farewell in a professional and friendly manner.
Spell-check your letter and enclose copies NOT originals of all described and pertinent
documents.

For sample complaint letters, a complaint letter quiz and additional help please visit page [1] or [2] below.

[1] "How to Write Complaint Letters." English Language Centre. 04 Apr. 2009 http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/eiw/complaint_letter_constructor.htm.
[2] Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com. 04 Apr. 2009 http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0002121.html.
[3] Oliu, Walter E., Charles T. Brusaw, and Gerald J. Alred. Writing that Works Communicating Effectively on the Job. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2006.
[4] 04 Apr. 2009 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Complaint_Department_Grenade.jpg.

Writing Effective Resumes by: Clara Thompson

Writing effective resumes by: Clara Thompson

When it comes to resume writing, everyone wants the “perfect” resume right? Everyone is looking to nail the job that they are seeking. In the business world, composing an effective resume is very important. Resumes, in a sense, are a reflection of you. They are used to inform your potential employer of all your skills, abilities, and experiences. So, how do you create a resume that will impress while exposing your most valuable attributes? Well, keep reading.

A resume should generally be limited to one page, be well organized, easy to read, error free & consistently formatted. It should also contain, (at the top) all of your contact information. (Name, address, telephone numbers, emails ect). The most important thing in resume writing is thoroughness. Always make sure that you cover all the necessary information that is expected. i.e., education, employment experience and qualifications. Below, you will find a breakdown of tips on what is to be included in each section.

The heading

• Make sure that your names stands out on the page (centered)
• If you have a school and permanent address, place your school address on the left side of the page and your permanent address on the right side of the page.

Employment experience

• Organize in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job
• Similar types of jobs or experiences can be clustered into one or several sections with specific headings such as “management experience.”

Education

• List the colleges you’ve attended, degrees received, dates received, your major field(s) of study, and academic honors earned.
• Include your GPA only if it is 3.0 or higher or include your average in a major, only if it is that impressive.

References

• Avoid listing references but instead include a phrase such as “references available upon request” after the heading “References.”
• Have a separate list of references to give to your perspective employer after interviews
• Contact information for your references should include names, affiliations, and titles
• Remember, do not list anyone as a reference without first obtaining his/her permission.

For more resume tips and samples, follow the link- www.about.com/sampleresume.

References: www.about.com; Writing that works (9th edition) Oliu, Walter E., Brusaw, Charles T., Alred, Gerald J.

Creating Visuals by Scott Dillon

You don’t need to be a skilled artist to produce graphics for your professional writing. Creating visuals is very simple and fun for anyone! You can simply do it on the computer using Paint, MS Word, Photoshop or any other various imaging software. Another way is the old fashion way of pencil and paper.

Visual images can enhance or replace what one says in writing. This allows for less repetition and compactly than text does.

Making the Visuals

Designing visuals is very simple, quick and easy with the software that is out today. Each program has unique features it offers its users.

Some of the Features:

• Stretch, shrink, push, twist, and distort
• Healing Brush - erasing wrinkles, minor skin defects, remove blemishes, scratches, and other small flaws
• Allow you to vary hue, opacity, and flow for brushes as well as jitter, color, and shape
  
  
  * Using Photoshop I designed this Image for my Clan aÐk for Call of Duty. Taking advantage of all Photoshop has to offer from fading, burning and rendering to create this logo.
  

Simplest Program - MS Paint

Paint is a very straightforward program that offers may features to its users. It allows for one to create multiple shapes and lines. You can also develop images with paint brush, pencil, and airbrush. You can also Paste an image in to paint to Edit or Customize.

Writing E-mail effectively By Jason Levine

There are many things that need to be remembered when writing an email in the business world. Besides the obvious of writing the letter in a professional manner, there are many important characteristics to a business e-mail that you normally wouldn't find in a letter written to a friend.

Most importantly, one must remember that the subject line of a message is the most crucial part of an email. Messages that do not have a subject, or have a subject that seems unimportant, may not ever even be read. In addition, a message with no subject makes it difficult for organized people to file your message. If your message is lost in a person's inbox, it could cost you a deal, a promotion, etc. (1)

Another thing to remember when writing emails is to keep it limited to one topic per email. It makes it easier to file messages in which the subject correlates to the writing, so including more than one issue in an email can make it difficult for someone to find it later on. Also, it makes it easier to reply to the message. (2)

In order to receive the response that you are looking for, it is important to specify how you would like the person to reply. If you would like a phone call, an appointment, or just a simple e-mail back, it is important to let the recipient know how you would like them to respond. (2)

Finally, it is important to proofread your writing. This rule obviously applies to any form of writing, not just writing business emails, but it is an important thing to remember. Sometimes it is easy to become confused and accidentally *start 2 type like u r talkin to a friend, LOL =]*. Always run the spell check, and review it yourself before you press that SEND button.

1. Writing Effective E-Mail: Top 10 Tips - http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/e-text/e-mail.htm

2. Effective E-mail - http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/EmailCommunication.htm

Creating an effective brochure by David Royster

Creating an effective brochure requires large amount of brainstorming. Who is you audience, what are you trying to persuade or inform your audience on, how would you like it to begin, how would you like it to end, and etc. A brochure can be many different things like advertisement, direct mail, promotions, and a selling tool.

Providing your reader with information in an easy to read flow is important. Allow your reader to understand the main points of your brochure, so that they will continue to want more. Gaining interest in the beginning of your brochure makes reader want go on, providing readers with what your product or service can do for them is a great mechanism. Also, since the cover is the first thing the reader sees making the cover eye catching or motivating to makes the reader want to open it.

Since you are the writer of the brochure do not over load it with your own interest. Talk about your reader needs and what you can provide for them. The reader is only going to buy your product or service if it benefits them. They want to know how this something is going to provide for them or there company. How will they lose weight, gain inches in there vertical leap, or add more money in their pockets to name some examples.

Organization of a brochure is key; it provides reader with access to find what hey are looking for. Using headings and subheading allows customers to find information with ease and helps them find topic that they are interested in.

Your brochure is a tool to gain new customers. It allows your company to grow, with every reader that is attracted to your brochure. Creating a brochure is delicate process because it should be short and sweet, but with a hint of personality. It helps display your individuality from other competition. Gaining another customer due to the brochure shows the effectiveness and unique qualities displayed throughout.

Cover letters! What are they & How can I get one? By Clara Thompson

Cover letters are used when submitting a resume. They are your first and best chance of making a good impression for a job position. Cover letters should include the reasons for your interest in the position. An effective cover letter format should contain a few basic categories which are below.

The font for a cover letter should consist of either 10pt or 12pt. Also, you should use Times New Roman, Courier or Ariel. Your cover letter should contain all of your contact information; name, email, telephone number, and address. It should also be addressed to a specific person rather than "To whom it may concern." It is also very important to remember that when addressing the recruiter, you list their job title and address.

Cover letter format:
1. Address the recruiter
2. Introduce yourself
3. Flatter the reader or company
4. Follow up
5. Wrap up
6. Leave good impressions and a list of enclosures

Five cover letter mistakes that should be avoided are:
1 .Not naming the job-Be specific about what position you are seeking.
2. Bad form letter-Have a good layout as to the presentation of your cover letter.
3. Do not repeat-Make sure you reiterate in your closing the position you are seeking.
4. Your needs- It is typically not a good idea to list your needs in a cover letter but rather what you bring to the table.
5. Typos and errors- Be sure to proofread your work before submitting it to an employer.

J.I.P. Writing (Jargon in Professional Writing) By: Ann-Marie Navidomskis

Jargon procures the potentiality to convolute and impede a lucid record and metamorphosize and mutate it into something far more confusing and intangible; this will bedevil your desired audience.

If you didn’t enjoy reading the preceding sentence, questioned reading further, and found yourself needing to read it multiple times to understand it don’t feel bad; that is the effect jargon, or “highly specialized slang that is unique to an occupational group[1]”, can have. For the majority of the population who didn’t receive a perfect score on the vocabulary section of the SAT sentences such as the first one you read in this document cause unpleasantness, confusion, are belittling, and don’t make sense. It is for these reasons that using jargon in your professional writing is an idea on the lesser end of the professional writing idea spectrum.

Jargon does not only have to be “unique to an occupational group.” Jargon can also be cultural idioms, acronyms, uncommon words or phrases, slang, and informal language. The use of jargon should be restricted only to those who are within the particular “field” and only utilized within informalities such as speech, informal memos, and e-mails within a company.

Avoiding jargon is especially important when it comes to intercultural communication. Because it’s impossible to know all of the world’s idioms and connotations great care is needed when writing personal and professional e-mails. Often times the reader of an intercultural exchange will not be a native speaker of your language and not only could misunderstand an idiom such as “give me a heads up” but could possibly take offense to it. Consider, also, limiting any acronyms you include in your documents; if the acronym isn’t likely to be present in the abbreviated English-language dictionary that they’ll be using then it should not be utilized.

Next time you feel the need to grab a thesaurus and include some lengthier synonyms for simple words consider this quote:

“Never fear to use little words. Big, long words name little things. All big things have little names, such as life and death, war and peace, dawn, day, night, hope, love, and home. Learn to use little words in a big way.” -Anonymous

Simply put: Jargon can make even the simplest documents and texts complicated; this will annoy your reader. Sometimes the simplest things mean the most. “The most important point about jargon that I want to make, though, is that much of it really is unnecessary and annoying.[2]

[1] "Professional Writing Style." Designsensory (Knoxville, Tennessee) creates web, brand and print design. 30 Mar. 2009 .

[2] "Professional Writing Style." Designsensory (Knoxville, Tennessee) creates web, brand and print design. 30 Mar. 2009 .

[3] Katrina Bishop Blogs. 30 Mar. 2009 .

[4] Write On! 30 Mar. 2009 .

Writing in Information Technology by George Herrera

One of the most important pieces of writing that one will encounter in IT (Information Technology) is project proposals. They are of such importance because of their very nature. Their purpose is to persuade upper-level management or corporate that a project will benefit the company as well as them. The scope of the project, benefit, cost, return on investment, time frame, and possible downtime are all important components of a proposal in IT.

When writing a proposal, the scope of a project is explained. Your proposal will explain the purpose of a project and what it will entail. It should answer questions like: What is the issue that brings up a purpose for this project? How will this project solve the issue? What resources will be required for this project? What will be the time frame for the proposed project from start to finish?

When proposing a project, be sure to include the estimated price. As wrong as it may sound, money is everything in a business! You could have a solution to every problem in a corporation, and if that price tag is not attractive, chances are that it will not be approved. Always include quotes from multiple companies to show that you have done your research and kept the company’s best interests in mind by choosing the most affordable quote while keeping quality in mind. Be sure to include a practical time frame. C-level management is not going to care what reason you have for not completing a task within a given time frame. It will also be important to include any possible downtime due to project implementation.

Successfully composing a proposal for an IT-related project will show that you have what it takes to get the job done. You will prove that you have the project management skills and can solve problems efficiently.

Writing a Letter of Appeal by Justin Jelley

It is almost a certainty that whether you receive a ticket unjustly given, are trying to receive funding for a project that was rejected, or in a college student's case, trying to get into a choice college, you will need to utilize the skill of writing a professional appeal letter. Being able to write a good, persuasive letter of appeal will allow you to expose your side of the situation at hand and hopefully convince the reader to reconsider your case.

Here are a few good tips on writing a professional appeal letter:

1. Know your grounds for appeal.

· Keep the person or persons whom you are trying to appeal to in mind.
· Keep your tone and emotions in check.
· Know your position, and know if you have enough evidence to support it.

2. Collect as much evidence in support of your situation as possible.

· Include all necessary facts in order to legitimize your case.
· Gather only honest, specific information and details to support your case.

3. Construct your argument in professional business letter format.

· http://www.letterwritingguide.com/businessletterformat.htm

4. Provide enough detail and evidence gathered into a complete letter.

· This is not the time to leave your reader’s mind open to imagination.
· Include specific and detailed information to support your case.
· Do not use emotional language; you always want to remain as objective and factual as possible.

5. Close your letter with a summarization of everything stated in the body.

· End the letter courteously and always thank the reader for their time and consideration.

Writing a professional letter of appeal might seem like a daunting task for some, but for those who take these tips and use them to their advantage will find the task much easier. The skill of writing an outstanding letter of appeal can be a greatly added resource to an individual and widen their skill set in professional writing.

References:

SRC : Home. 29 Mar. 2009 http://www.glasgowstudent.net/files/full_appeal_letter.pdf.

"Writing a Letter of Appeal." Letter Writing Guide - Letter Writing & Sample Letters. 29 Mar. 2009 .

How to Write a Business Letter of Apology by Viktoryia Biheza

Writing a letter of apology is one of the toughest assignments in business correspondence. Since every situation is different, generalizing is difficult. Here are some points worth keeping in mind:

1. Lead with an apology. This will put your reader at ease and will make him/her feel better instantly.

2. Keep it simple. Simplicity is the key of business correspondence and letters of apology are no exception.

3. Be careful about assigning or accepting blame. Avoid defensive and argumentative tone when composing your letter. If possible, it is always better to say "We regret this problem occurred," than to say "We are sorry we caused this problem to occur."

4. Avoid legalese. Do contact your attorney if the issue calls for it, but don't make your letter sound like he/she wrote it.

5. Be sure of your facts. Hear all sides of the story before formulating your letter.

Beside technical tips, writing a good letter of apology does require a few psychological tips as well.

1. Imagine yourself in the given situation and think how it would make you feel. That's exactly how your customer feels right now.

2. Be sincere in your apology; briefly explain what happened and admit your mistake if you made it.

3. Don't negotiate and do offer some form of consideration (e.g. a discount) to make up for an error. It is not too hard to make a person feel good, and a gift is one easy way to achieve that goal.

4. Don't let the mistake happen again, embrace the opportunity for improvement.





References

http://www.lettersforbusiness.com/about-writing-letters-of-apology.htm

http://confidentwriting.com/2008/02/leap-before-you/

http://www.wordsellinc.com/blog/copywriting/about-writing-letters-of-apology/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39645587@N00/327902492