I very much regret that your application has not been successful this year. The competition for places for scholars from your country was extremely strong and very hard choices had to be made as the number of places is very limited. In case you decide to reapply next year, please note the following:
• You MUSI' have fully completed your PhD and give the date of completion on the application form.
• You will not be eligible if you have won a place on this scheme in the past or on the equivalent Oxford University Scheme.
• Your subject and research plan must be on a subject which has a potential academic mentor here in Cambridge otherwise your application will not be considered suitable if there is no-one in your field to mentor you during your stay.
• You must have a relevant English language qualification/certificate.
I am grateful to you for your interest in coming to visit us in Cambridge and hope that there may be ways to lake that forward in later years.
Yours sincerely
PROFESSOR A.D. YATES
Exercise3. Correct the mistakes in the following text.
Saying “not”, which is almost always difficult in person, is easier in a letter. But when an organizations rejects a request made by a customer, the organizational writer have to remember that future business and the organizational image are at stake. The wording and approached have to be carefully.
The best way to prepare a reader for bad news are to demonstrate that what the reader has requested or proposed have received due consideration. This considerations can be indicate by referring specifically to the situation at hand and by assuring the reader you known who he or she are. The more specific and personal the references, the more palatable the refusal.
Lesson 5. Business letters: claim and request
How to write an effective claim letter in minutes:
- At the beginning of your letter, indicate that you are making a claim and specify the type of claim you are making (e.g., an insurance claim).
- State the policy number, if applicable.
- Describe the specific circumstances or details of the claim (for example, that a product is defective or the details of an accident). Give all relevant facts concerning the claim.
- Indicate the dollar amount you are claiming or what action you would like the reader to take and the date by which you expect the action to be taken.
- Refer to any documents you are including with your letter, including claim forms, repair estimates, warranty, or records or receipts. Ask if there is any other information or documents or forms you need to send.
- If you are using some of the enclosed documents as evidence to substantiate your claim, specifically mention the content of the documents and illustrate how they support your claim.
- Indicate by when you would like to receive a reply to your letter and include contact information that will allow the person to easily reach you.
- You may want to thank the reader for his/her (anticipated) help before ending your letter.
Dear Sirs:
Faulty product
I'm afraid that the enclosed product doesn't work. It is the third one I've had to return this month (see attached correspondence).
I bought it from ABC stores at Newtown, Big County on (date).
I was careful to follow the instructions for use, honestly.
Other than the three I've had to return recently, I've always found your products to be excellent.
I'd be grateful if you could send a replacement and refund my postage (state amount).
I really appreciate your help.
Yours faithfully,
signature
J. Smith (Mrs)
Request Letters
Request letters can be a very effective way of accomplishing what you need.
How to write a request letter to help you to get what you want:
- Be particularly courteous and tactful when writing this letter, as requests are generally an imposition on another's time and/or resources or talents. Put the reader at ease, and help her or him feel that responding will not be burdensome.
- Be brief.
- Be confident and persuasive. Be assertive but not overbearing.
- Don't hem and haw around the issue—be straightforward, and include as much detail as necessary to clearly convey your request.
- Don't be manipulative.
- Avoid the temptation to apologize for your request. Strive to make the person feel complimented that you would ask the favor of him or her.
- Make only reasonable requests.
- Express your willingness to reciprocate the kindness or favor.
- Invite the person to contact you if he or she has any questions or concerns, and thank him or her for taking the time to consider your request.