Writing Improvement Exercises

Message Openers and Subject Lines

$($L$.$O$.1)$

Your Task. Decide which opener illustrates a direct opening.

Compare the following sets of message openers. Circle the letter of the opener that illustrates a direct opening. Write an appropriate subject line for each opening paragraph.

$16.$ An e$-$mail announcing a study:

a$.$ We have noticed recently a gradual but steady decline in the number of customer checking accounts. We are disturbed by this trend, and for this reason I am asking our Customer Relations Department to conduct a study and make recommendations regarding this important problem.

b$.$ Our Customer Relations Department will study the gradual but steady decline of customer checking accounts and recommend potential solutions.