Business Writing 1: Definitions

carbon copy – exactly the same copy

blocked style – style of writing in which each line starts directly below the one above
signature block – name and job title typed below a signature
reference – figures and / or letters written at the top of a letter to identify it
enclosure – document enclosed with a letter
private and confidential – phrase written on a letter intended only to be read by the addressee
job title – the name of someone’s job, e.g. Sales Manager, Chief Buyer
yours sincerely – complimentary close used at the end of a letter when the addressee’s name
is known
attachment – separate document attached to an email message
incoterm – internationally used term which indicates which price is being quoted to the
customer
net price – price which does not include additional costs such as transport and insurance
carnage forward – condition of sale when the customer pays for the transport of the goods
quotation – price for work to be done or a service to be provided
under separate cover – in a separate envelope or parcel
gross price – price which includes additional costs such as transport and insurance
loyalty discount - amount taken off the usual price of goods when they are sold to a regular
customer
Incoterms:
DDU (delivery duty unpaid) – the seller pays all delivery costs, except for import duty, to a
named destination
CFR (cost and freight) – the seller pays all delivery costs to a named destination, except for
insurance
CIF (cost, insurance, and freight) - the seller pays all delivery costs to a named destination
EXW (ex-works) – the buyer pays all delivery costs once the goods have left the seller’s
factory or warehouse
FAS (free alongside ship) – the seller pays all delivery costs to the port
FOB (free on board) – the seller pays all delivery costs to when the goods are on the ship
compliments slip – small piece of paper with the company’s details on it
invoice – list of goods or services that states how much must be paid for them
forwarding agent – person or organization that conveys goods to their destination
settlement – payment of an account
air waybill – document that gives information about goods sent by air
ship – to send goods by road, rail, air, or sea
covering letter – letter accompanying a document or goods, explaining the contents
advice note – document informing a customer that a consignment is on its way to them
catalogue – publication giving details of goods or services offered by a company
estimate – written estimate, usually for a large job such as building a factory
tender – price given for work to be done
customer – person who buys goods or services from a shop or company
wholesaler – person or company that buys goods from manufacturers and sells them to
retailers
showroom – place where a company demonstrates its products
subsidiary – company that is partly owned by a larger one
prospectus – publication giving details about a school or college
sales or return – term used when a supplier agrees to buy back unsold goods
quantity discount – money taken off the usual selling price of goods when the buyer is
purchasing a large amount
current account – account into which a customer can pay money, or draw it out, without
giving notice
sight draft – bill of exchange that must be paid immediately it is presented
balance – difference between the totals of money coming into and going out of a bank account
bank transfer – movement of money from one bank account to another
documentary credit – document informing a customer of money owed
due date – date by which an account should be settled
protest – take legal action to obtain payment
remittance – payment
statement of account – list of amounts paid and owed
debit note – letter of credit that requires the seller to supply shipping documents to the bank to
obtain payment