Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Letter writing





A letter is a written message from one party to another containing information. Letters can be classified into formal and informal letters.
a)      Informal letter/ friendly letter. This is a personal letter written to friends or relatives.

Friendly letter format
1. Heading/ address
                                                                                                2. Date
            3. Greeting / Salutation                    
4. Introduction
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  5.Body_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                             6. Closing.
EXAMPLE OF FRIEND LETTER
       Ibun Jazar Secondary School,
                                                                                           P. O. Box 66,
                                                                                           Coast Region – Tanzania.
                                                                                          11th February, 2016.
             Hello Latifa,
             It has been too long since our last visit, so, how are you and family doing? And what grade is Muhammad going into? 7th or 8th? They both are fine? My kids are getting ready for school year as well.
Asif is just remembering the day while we were at the park. We all miss you very much; we are welcome to visit anytime at all. I hope you are well with everyone. Please send hellos from all of us to your family.
                                                Talk to your lovely son,
                                                Muhogo Mchungu.

Another example
Ibun Jazar Secondary School,
                                                                                                            P. O. Box 66,
                                                                                                            Coast Region – Tanzania.
                                                                                                            11th February, 2016.
            Dear Mrs. Kishindo,
                        I hope this letter finds you well. I can`t believe it has been so long since we have seen one another.
  I'm so glad that you encouraged me to move to the big city and follow my dream of working as journalist. Things are good quite well, and truly enjoy what I I'm doing.
           Your words of wisdom were instrumental in my decision, and your background in the business gave me such insight into what I was getting into. I can honestly say that I might never take this step if it weren't for your support and confidence in me. I sincerely appreciate all of your calls and letter.
Most importantly, your continued encouragement, credited much of my success
           Thank you again for believing in me and helping me to believe in myself.
                                                Yours,
                                         Majanga Matatizo.

class work
Write a letter to your friend telling him the steps you‘re taking to ensure that you do not get AIDS. Your name is Masikini Jeuri of Kerege, Secondary school Box 14, Bagamoyo.



Formal letter
These are letters of business transaction, letters to newspapers, order letters, application letters, request letters etc.
principles of writing formal letters
a)      Use the prescribed format of writing formal letters.
b)      Use simple language.
c)      Avoid informal or outdated (archaic) words like, yeah!, herewith, hereunder, thereinafter etc.
d)      Be polite or show respect to the addressee.
e)       Describing the purpose and avoid emotional words.
f)        Provide all necessary information or detail precisely.
g)      Proofread your letter before sending to the addressee.
h)      Provide true information.

Major parts of formal or official letters
        i.            Sender`s address
      ii.            Date
    iii.            Addressee's address
    iv.            Under Fly Service (U.F. S); if it has to be signed by a certain officer/person, for forwarding.
      v.            Salutation i.e. Dear sir/Madam.
    vi.            The introductory sentence e.g. a reference to a former announcement, letter, or news paper.
  vii.             Body
viii.             Closing remarks like, yours faithfully.
    ix.            Signature
      x.            viii. Full name and title.
    xi.            Curriculum Vitae (c.v.)
A request letter
Msabila High School,
                                                                                                      P.O.BOX 999
Mpanda Rukwa.
                                                                                                      21st April, 2016

REF.NO. DS/SM/2015/01
The vice Chancellor,
Mzumbe University,
P.O.Box 999,
Mpanda.
Dear Sir,
ref: a visit to your institution
              Twenty-five students including two teachers would like to visit your institution on the 12th october 2017 to see how learning at the University level takes place.
                Our students would like to see way lectures and students interact in class and how students study independently. I also hope that they will as well learn more about the university administration.
                We hope you will let us come on date we proposed or any other date of your convenience
Thank you in advance.
                                           Yours faithfully,
                                          *********
                                          Brother Uchungu Maudhi
                                          Deputy Headmaster.

An application letter
                                                                                          Ibun Jazar Islamic School,
                                                                                          P. O. Box 60722,
                                                                                          Dar es Salaam.
                                                                                           30th March 2016




The Meneger,
United Bank of Africa,
P.O.Box 98,
Nairobi.
        Dear sir/madam,
Ref: application for employment as a bank clerk
          With reference to your advertisement on the East African Standard Daily News of 27th February, 2016 for a cleric post in your branch of the United Bank of Africa, I would like to submit this application.
                  I am a 25 years old man. I completed my form four studies at Ibun Jazar School, Vikindu Pwani in May, 2015. At the moment, I am studying privately for certificate in computer and intend to sit the final examination in next year.
           Reference may be made to the Headmaster of Ibun Jazar who has kindly agreed to support my application. His name and addresses are enclosed.
                                                       Your faithful,
                                                          *********
                                                        Kutangulia Sikufika

Example 2
                                                                                                                  Ibun Jazar School,
                                                                                                                    P.O.Box 666,
                                                                                                                   Vikindu pwani.
                                                                                                                  1st mach, 2016.
The Registrar,
Nipashe Publishing House
P. O. Box 77777,
Dar es Salaam.


Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: application for editing training courses
      With reference to your recent advertisement that appeared in Nipashe newspaper, I wish to apply for -editing training course at your publishing house.
I am Tanzanian girl of 20 years of age, I have diploma in journalism from Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication (IJMC). In additions, I am computer literate. I am also good at French, English and Kiswahili.
               I have enclosed copies of my certificates and curriculum Vitae.
                                 Yours Sincerely,
                                 **************
                                 Halima Omar

BUSNESS transaction LETTERs
These are letters which are used when someone wants to enquire, make a request, complain, order a product, apply for employment etc.
Format of business letters
Business letters may appear in two formats, namely;
a) Modified block form                              b) Full block form

Types of transaction business letters
v  The following are main types of business letters.
a)      Enquiry or order letters
b)      Complaint letters and
c)      Opinion letters.
1. Inquiry or order letters
v  Things to conceder when writing inquiry letters:


a)      Be brief
b)      State request clearly.
c)      Give reasons for your request.
d) Make your request specific and reasonable.
v  Example of inquiry letters.
Modified block form.
In this form, the heading, closing and signature are aliened along the right margin.
                                                                                                     Koma Umbea Shop,
                                                                                                      Magogo Matatu road,
                                                                                                      P. O. Box 564,
                                                                                                      Vikindu.
                                                                                                     18th March, 2016
Ref. No. 041/SS/MB
Soda ya Kopo Sale Shop,
Kimara outstation,
P.O.Box 3333,
Dar es Salaam.
            Sir/Madam,
Re: order for 20 dozens of batik
           I shall be grateful if you will send me Scandinavia Bus service, 20 dozens of batik made in Tanzania particularly by China and Tanzania Friendship Textile Industry, “URAFIKI” as early as possible.
             Customers have created trust on me and I hope you shall do your best for the betterment of both sides.
                                     Yours faithfully,
                                     **********
                                      Kisiki Mpingo
Managing Director.

The Full block form.
In the full block format, all elements are aliened along the left margin.
Example
   Koma Umbea Shop,
   Magogo Matatu road,
   P. O. Box 564,
   Vikindu.
  18th March, 2016

   Ref. No. 041/SS/MB
   Soda ya Kopo Sale Shop,
   Kimara outstation,
   P.O.Box 3333,
   Dar es Salaam.

  Sir/Madam,
 re: order for 20 dozens of batik
           I shall be grateful if you will send me Scandinavia Bus service, 20 dozens of batik made in Tanzania particularly by China and Tanzania Friendship Textile Industry, “URAFIKI” as early as possible.
            Customers have created trust on me and I hope you shall do your best for the betterment of both sides.
Yours faithfully,
**********
Kisiki Mpingo
Managing Director.


Complaint letter
v  Things to do:
a)      Identify the products or services
b)      Accurately describe the problem
c)      Request for a specific solution
d)     Be polite
e)      Keep a copy of your letter until your complain has been addressed.

Compliant letter (the modified block)
The General Suppliers,
                                                                                                      P. O. Box 555,
                                                                                                     25th April, 2008.
The Managing Director,
Division of Motor Vehicles,
P. O. Box 55555
Dar es Salaam
RE: ROAD WORTHINESS OF CARS FROM YOUR COMPANY
         There have been several complains to various customers concerning the cars supplied by your company through us. We are famous general distributers of motor vehicles from various companies in Tanzania. We have been experiencing a lot of problems in selling your car because customers are reluctant to buy them since they are not in good condition, hence ineffective when they are on the road.
  The complaints hinge around the worthiness of engines. The customers complain that the engines tend to heat easily and sometimes they keep on misfiring especially when driving on roads with steep slopes.
                  Thus, we request you to make some necessary improvements and adjusts on all cars in order to continue doing business with us.
                  I wish to express my sincere gratitude in advance for your consideration. I look forward to seeing some improvements in the coming consignment.
    

 Respectfully,
                                                       ********
                                                      Miguu Kushoto
                                                      Director General
Remember:  This latter can also be written in “The full Block Form”

Opinion letters
Things to do when writing opinion letters.
        i)            Identify and summarize the issues.
      ii)            State your opinions and support them with reasons and facts.
    iii)            Summarize your main points and if possible provide a solution.
    iv)            Uzunguni Street,
                                                                                    Forest Hill Road,
                                                                                    P.O.Box 3653,
                                                                                    Sumbawanga.
                                                                                    30th April, 2016.
Sports Editor,
The Guardian Observer,
P. O. Box 363537
Dar es Salaam
            Dear Editor,
I think there should be more information about local sports in your newspaper. Most people from Sumbawanga district have shown interest in your newspaper but they have given some opinions and criticisms about coverage on sports through our suggestion box.
          

  They suggest that, local sports should be given first priority so as to create patriotism among the young generation.  Their argument is that international sports might spoil the spirit of patriotism among the young generation and hence lead to further decline of sports in the country.
 I believe that your newspaper will attract a larger market if the above opinions’ are accommodated in the coming issues of your newspaper.
                                    Yours sincerely,
                                    **********
                                    Kipekupeku Kijenendo


Letters to editor
These are letters addressed to the editor. They are just like other official letters, and are normally with the following purposes:
a)      To complain about something
b)      To support an idea or a project
c)      To give  opinions about something
d)     To give advice on something.

Example
The Chief Editor,
The Daily News,
P.O.Box 4444,
Dar es Salaam.
             
Dear Sir/Madam,
It is highly time that proper steps were taken to put a stop to the reckless driving of the “daladala” (mini-buses) in the narrow streets of our thickly populated town. Only this morning a poor, old begger very narrow escaped from being run over by a speeding motor car around  Msimbazi Center.
He was crossing the street when a car came dashing along, at a high speed of about 120km/hr; just imagine that place has a corner! Such reckless driving causes fatal accidents to women and school children trying to cross the roads.


I hope that the public, who are the suffers, will force the police and municipal authorities to put a stop to reckless driving, specially by daladala drivers before any more accidents are likely to happen
Yours truly,
Fakih Omar
Ibun Jazar islamic Secondary,
P.O.Box 66,
Vikindu pwani.

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