Each lesson in this course will begin with an introductory personal exercise that sets the stage and helps you to link your current knowledge to the topic of the lesson.

For example:

Introduction: Take a few minutes to think about how you would approach your boss for a favor (perhaps a couple of hours off to take your mother to the airport). How would you plan for this direct request?

After you have considered this preliminary thought (intended to help you focus on the basic idea of this lesson) you’ll scroll down the screen to examine the objectives. The objectives outline what you will accomplish when you have satisfactorily completed the lesson.

Objectives 1. Explain the functions of the opening, middle, and closing of a direct request letter. 2. Explain how to write requests for information. 3. Write an effective direct request letter.

Punctuation Guidelines

Organization Guidelines

Letter and Memo Formats

Gobbledygook and Other Word Errors