Sample Inquiry Letter __________Better Widget Makers, Inc.__________

5555 Widget Avenue

Silver City, CO 80456

September 26, 2003

Mr. Russ Hamilton

Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Golden Bread Company

123 Loaf Street

Silver City, CO 80451

Dear Mr. Hamilton:

Construction on the new employee cafeteria at Better Widget Makers, Inc. is nearing completion and I am looking for a supplier capable of fulfilling our weekly bakery needs.

Do you have an information packet that would help me project the cost of doing business with your company? We will need daily deliveries of pastries, pies, dinner rolls and sandwich bread. Our facility operates 24/7, Monday through Friday, with a flextime workforce of 1,500 employees. To complete my operational budget I will need the following information:

• Wholesale price sheets

• Quantity cost breaks

• Annual contract discounts

• Delivery and or any other service charges.

To submit my proposal to the finance committee at their October 20th meeting I will need to receive your information by the 10th. I will also need to meet with you after reviewing the requested materials. Please call me for an appointment at your earliest convenience. My personal extension is 216-8080, # 29.

In keeping with long-standing policy we would like to place this contract locally. I look forward to working with you and am hopeful that the Golden Bread Company can fulfill our needs.

Sincerely,

Ida Mae Knott

Purchasing Agent

Appendices appendix 1 exclamations

Errrr – used mainly to express sarcasm.

Person A «I really feel that Francis Bacon’s work conveys a certain meaningless of life in general.»

Person B «ErrrrrYearhh»

Ahh – A word often used to describe an emotion, such as anger, pleasure or shock. It is also widely used in ghost stories.

AHH! I’m going to kill you!

Ahh! And the creature crept up to the man.

Hmmm – phrase used when you are happy. Phrase used when you are bored. Word when there is nothing else to say.

Mmmmmm – another way of saying yeah, right or no in a nicer way. The more m’s added the more out of the question it is.

Person 1: Can you take me to the store

person 2: mmmmmm

Ummm – usually said by a bloke when asked a question. Any question as a matter of fact. It can also mean the following: no yeah err no way!

Girl: Do you have a crush on me?

Boy: ummm…

Appendix 2 general conversation gambits

• Hesitation

Uh . . .

Well, um . . .

Let's see.

Let me think.

How should I put it?

That's a good question.

I'll have to think about that.

• Clarification: Others

Sorry, but I don't see what you mean.

Could you be more specific?

Could you explain that in more detail?

Do you mean . . . ?

What do you mean by . . . ?

If I understand you correctly, . . . .

What you're saying is . . . .

What you're trying to say is . . . . (careful)

Are you sure? (careful)

• Clarification: Self

What I mean is . . . .

What I meant was . . . .

Let me put it (say it) another way.

What I'm saying is . . . .

What I'm trying to say is . . . .

In other words, . . . .

I didn't mean to say that.

• Interruptions

Pardon/excuse me, but. . . .

Sorry/Excuse me for interrupting, but . . . .

May I ask a question?

May I add something?

I'd like to comment on that.

I'd like to say something here.

Could I just jump in here?

What about . . . ?

• Refusing Interruptions

Please let me finish.

Just let me finish my point; I'll get back to you.

I'd like to finish what I was saying.

Could I just finish my point?

• Resuming After Allowing Interruptions

In any case, . . . .

One last point, . . . .

To return to X, . . . .

To get back to X, . . . .

Anyway, . . . .

Where was I?

• Making Suggestions/ Giving Advice

May I make a suggestion?

Don't you think . . . ?

Wouldn't you say (agree or think) . . . ?

Wouldn't it be better if . . . ?

Why don't you try . . . ?

You might want to consider. . . .

Are you sure . . . ? (careful)

Let's . . . .

Perhaps we could . . . .

Why not . . . ?

How about . . . ?

I suggest that we . . . .

• Asking for Suggestions/Advice

Do you have any suggestions?

What do you think?

What would you do?

What should I do?

• Accepting and Rejecting Suggestions/Advice

That's a good point (idea, approach)

Thanks for reminding me.

Yes, why don't we try that?

I want to think about that

I hadn't thought about that.

That's a good idea, but . . . .

That would be great, except. . . .

Yes, but don't forget . . . .

Yes, but keep in mind . . . .

Yes, but consider . . . .

Possibly, but . . . .

Well, the problem is . . . .

• Giving an Opinion

I think. . . .

I believe . . . .

In my opinion, . . . .

As far as I'm concerned. . . .

Personally, I think . . . .

It seems to me that . . . .

• Asking about Agreement

Do you agree?

Don't you agree?

Wouldn't you agree?

Don't you think so?

• Agreeing and Disagreeing

That's a good point.

I (completely) agree (with you).

That's true.

That makes sense.

I think so, too.

I couldn't agree more.

That's not how I see it.

I don't really agree with you.

I'm afraid I can't agree with you.

I'm not sure I quite agree with you.

Yes, that may be true, but . . . .

Well, you have a point, but . . . .

I can see your point, but . . . .

I see what you mean, but . . . .

Do you see it that way? I think . . . .