1©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

WRITING DIRECT REQUESTS

2©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Kinds of Requests

• Placing orders

• Requesting information

• Requesting claims and adjustments

• Making credit requests

• Inquiring about people

• Issuing invitations

3©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Objectives

• Clearly state the main idea of each direct request

• Indicate confidence that request will be filled

• Provide sufficient detail for the reader to be able to comply with your request

• Clarify complicated requests with lists and tables

• Close with courteous request for action

4©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Deductive Plan for Direct Requests

• Make the request or indicate main idea

• Include the necessary details/questions or justification

• Close with action you desire and show appreciation with courteous tone

5©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

As a customer, have you ever been dissatisfied with product or

service???

• Ever made a claim ?

• The request can be useful for both you and company.

How?

• As you make the request, think about it from an audience focus. What might you include in the request ?

6©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Make Complicated Requests Easy

• Remember to include any tables or lists that are clear in order to assist the person filling the request.

• Remember to ask specific questions that may assist the person.*Ask only questions that relate to request*Make your questions open-ended and objective*Cover only one topic in each question

7©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

In requests, think about answering all of these

questions as you write.

WHO ?

WHAT ?

WHERE ?

WHEN ?

WHY ?

HOW ?

8©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Let’s now look at some examples from your text.

9©1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Your MissionUse these pointers as you draft your Project Two letter

of inquiry.