Vocabulary notes

1. It is tempting – спокусливо

2. Take into consideration – брати до уваги

3. Step-by-step – крок за кроком

4. Heavy-duty machinery – потужні машини

5. Take part in – брати участь у

6. Be swamped with – бути заваленими (листами, замовленнями)

7. Round-the-clock production – цілодобове виробництво

Exercises

1. Transcribe and practice correctly the following words from the text.

Delay, accept, suggest, refuse, accusation, pamphlet, though, accommodate, apparel, equipment, career, poor, wholesaler, referred, sought, divulge, numerous, postpone, genuinely, enough, initial, sufficient.

2. Comprehension check.

1) Why do we sometimes have to write bad-news letters?

2) Is the word “no” pleasant or unpleasant in refusal letters?

3) It’s offensive to find “no” in a letter, isn’t it?

4) What four guidelines of particular importance are essential in writing refusal letters?

5) Is it possible to avoid writing the refusal letters?

6) What are the ways of avoiding accusation in refusal letters?

7) Should some indirect organizational plan be used for letters conveying bad news?

8) What are the peculiarities of letters refusing orders?

9) Most business executives think that it is wise to participate in exhibits, to speak before groups of people as it helps to build goodwill for the business. Do you share this idea with the executives?

10) What are the rules of tact, courtesy, goodwill in writing letters concerning delay?

3. Match the word with its definition:

1. customer a) asking or being asked, expression of desire for something

2. reasonable b) feeling or showing confidence

3. pleasant c) having ordinary common sense, able to reason, acting etc. to

reason

4. avoid d) make ready, do what is necessary

5. particular e) giving pleasure, agreeable, friendly

6. request f) favourable time or chance for something

7. provide g) say “no” to a request or offer

8. confident h) relating to one as distinct from others, special

9. opportunity i) person who buys things

10. refuse j) keep or get away from, escape

4. Complete the text with words from the box.

ideas purpose attentive nature completely

position attempt

Request letters, especially those persuasive in ________________, need to be planned carefully. Close ________ must be given to the reader’s needs, and any ______ to relate the reader’s needs to the request will bring the writer a step closer to accomplishing the ________ of the letter. By placing yourself in the reader’s ______ you can more easily see how the request could fulfil one of the reader’s personal needs. The request letter should be exceptionally well written, with ________ stated in as little space as possible. At the same time, the ideas should be presented _______ and clearly.

5. Are these statements true or false?

1. Business writers do not respond with a tactful letter when the tone of the inquirer’s request is insistent.

2. Words are often misspelled because they are mispronounced.

3. In business writers are not responsible for their own communications.

4. Proofreading skills can be acquired through study and practice.

5. Everyone does some reading every day.