BP DOG Strategy of Writing Business Letters

The B.P. D.O.G. strategy of writing a business letter emphasizes the need to be clear about your purpose in the first paragraph, to include critical information in the middle, and to conclude with a goodwill closing.



Paragraph One


B = Background


Who are you?

What qualifies you to write to the person receiving the letter?


P = Purpose


What is the purpose of the letter?

What is this letter trying to accomplish?

Why are you writing this letter?


Paragraph Two


D = Details


This is information the reader needs to make his or her decision.

What support or information can you offer the reader that will draw his or her attention to your letter?

Discuss supporting details or evidences that support your purpose of the letter.

O = Operations


This is something that must be done.

Follow the information by inviting a meeting, phone call, etc. with the reader.

Provide a date, time, and place to discuss your concern further.

Provide your phone number and e-mail address.


Paragraph Three


G = Goodwill Finish


End the letter with 3 or 4 sentences that leave the reader with a positive and motivated feeling. The reader should feel that the letter has convinced him or her to act upon the matter.


Example Letter


PO Box 8207
Hanna, AB L2R 3V6
May 13, 2014

Sam Hunt, Director
The Knitting Mill
1409 3 Ave
Hanna, AB L3V 7O1

Dear Mr. Hunt:

I am the president of the student council at Riverside Junior High. The student council is organizing a Volunteer Tea to express appreciation for the many volunteers who make Riverside a wonderful place to learn. I am writing to invite you to speak at our Tea.

The Volunteer Tea is on Thursday, June 3, at 4:30 p.m. in the gymnasium at Riverside Junior High School. I will be available to meet you at the school office at 4:15 pm. We would like you to speak for approximately ten minutes.

You may reply by contacting me by phone at 555-1234 or e-mail at Kasey_Smith@rjh.ca. I will appreciate a response by May 10 so that we may finalize our plans for the event.

I look forward to your reply. Thank you for considering my request.

Sincerely,

Kasey Smith (handwritten)

Kasey Smith (typed)


  Please contact your teacher if you have questions.