1. Do not omit pronouns, or write a "telegraphic style".
- Wrong: Just received yours of the 21st, and in reply would say your order has been filled and shipped.
- Right: I have your letter of March twenty-first. Your order was promptly filled and shipped.
2. The idea that it is immodest to use I is a superstition. Undue repetition of I is of course awkward; but entire avoidance of it is silly.
3. Use simple language. Say "your letter"; not "your kind favor", or "yours duly received", or "yours of the 21st is at hand".
4. Avoid "begging" expressions which you obviously do not mean, especially the hackneyed "beg to advise".
- Wrong: Received yours of the 3rd instant, and beg to advise we are out of stock.
- Right: We received your order of March 3. We find that we have no more dining-room chairs B 2-4-6 in stock.
- Wrong: I beg to enclose a booklet.
- Right: I enclose a booklet.
- Wrong: Permit us to say that prices have been advanced.
- Right: The prices on our goods have been advanced.
5. Avoid the formula "please find enclosed". The reader will find what is enclosed; if you use "please", let it refer to what the reader shall do with what is enclosed.
- Wrong: Enclosed please find 10 cents, for which send me Bulletin 58.
- Right: I enclose ten cents, for which please send me Bulletin 58.
6. Avoid unnecessary commercial slang: On the job, A-1 service, O.K., your ad, popular-priced line, this party, as per schedule.
7. Get to the important idea quickly. In applying for a position, do not beat around the bush, or say you "wish to apply" or "would apply". Begin, "I make application for ...", "kindly consider my application for ...", or "I apply ..."