TECHNICAL CORRESPONDENCE

LETTER WRITING

Generally carry two messages;
1. The implicit
2. Explicit
The explicit message is what we say to the reader through the words we choose and
use. The implicit message is conveyed by the appearance of the letter i.e. by the way
the words are arranged on the paper, by quality of the typing, the quality of paper, by
design of the letterhead.
Format, Planning, Style and Tone
The language, style and tone must match the message. However well the message has
been planned and written, the reader cannot help it but be affected by the letter and
even the envelope.
The layout of letter is always largely determined by the custom and convention. There
are three main forms;
1. Semi-blocked form
2. Semi-indented form
3. Fully blocked form
The fully blocked form of layout is often unpunctuated, everything starts from at the left
hand margin, it is efficient, very modern and most commonly used.
Below is an example of the fully blocked letter.







E EC cC -1OcOCC C_
tCLE
vlvLtlL*

tC E
EC_ tOC1OCC _

O Cs **
mCO Cs ._t

_ sa _

* *O *1
lccC *1OcO1 -Cs
EC1 vcC
m*LLC.t
CCC
m_

c 1 *O

EcCC OCO C OCO COO C _ sa
_ CsCC1C- cOcCc CCcC1 C 1O C_
__

* CCCcO 1COs C CO CCCC1c CO
csOCO 1 CsCC1c 1C OcO OCO cO cO
O OC
sCC1c O aC O O_

lc CCc1c OC sCC O OCOcOO cc
C-CO1 O cc CC O OCCCC O1Oc
cO cCc 1cCC CCCC COcc OC OC- OCO
CC ccO _ sa cO I -1_

mCO1 LCsCO


_ .COO
.CcC 1cCc-