As someone who does freelance editing and who writes business letters in the course of my daily work, there are few things that tick me off more as an editor and writer than a poorly-composed business letter. A well-composed, thoughtful letter can persuade; a sloppy letter can close hearts and minds.
As a grumpy editor and writer, I picked out about five stylistic points that would have had me winging this letter back to its composer with marks for change. However, I’ll grant bragging rights to the commenter who can spot the number-one error in this letter that is intended to plead a very important case.
Two hints: One, it’s not a matter of content. Two, check out the title of this post.
(Nod to Bill Cork of Ut Unum Sint.)

