Kurikulum 2006/2013

Kel a s

XII
bahasa inggris
PERSONAL AND BUSINESS LETTERS

Tujuan Pembelajaran
Setelah mempelajari materi ini, kamu diharapkan memiliki kemampuan berikut.
1. Memahami definisi dan fungsi sosial dari surat.
2. Memahami ciri-ciri dan bagian-bagian dari personal letter.
3. Memahami ciri-ciri dan bagian-bagian dari business letter.
4. Mengindentifikasi perbedaan unsur kebahasaan dari personal dan business letter.

Gambar 1. Surat
Taken from: [Link]

Komunikasi merupakan bagian yang tak terpisahkan dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Apa media
komunikasi utama kamu? Apakah itu efektif? Lalu, apakah kamu pernah menggunakan surat
sebagai alat komunikasi?
Dahulu, orang menggunakan surat sebagai media komunikasi utama. Namun sekarang,
seiring dengan berkembangnya teknologi komunikasi, penggunaan surat sebagai media
komunikasi semakin jarang. Meskipun demikian, surat masih menjadi pilihan bagi orang
yang ingin menyampaikan pesan lebih dalam dan detail, atau ingin menyertakan gambar di
dalamnya. Selain itu, surat juga tetap digunakan dalam dunia bisnis, baik untuk menawarkan
produk, kerja sama, atau surat pemberitahuan. Surat dapat dikirim melalui jasa pengiriman
atau pos, maupun dikirim melalui Internet.

A. Overview
Apakah kamu tahu, apa pengertian surat? Dan apa fungsi sosialnya? Simak penjelasannya
berikut ini.

1. Definition
Berdasarkan kamus Oxford, pengertian dari letter adalah sebagai berikut.

‘A written, typed, or printed communication, sent in an envelope by post or messenger.’

Berdasarkan pengertian surat di atas, dapat disimpulkan bahwa surat merupakan

media komunikasi tertulis, yang diketik, ataupun dicetak, dan dikirim melalui pos atau
pengirim pesan lain. Berdasarkan pengertian ini dapat diketahui bahwa surat merupakan
salah satu media komunikasi.

2. Social Function
Fungsi sosial surat di antaranya adalah sebagai berikut.
1. Sarana pemberitahuan, permintaan, buah pikiran, dan gagasan
 surat semacam ini dapat ditemukan pada koran, misalnya surat pemberitahuan
pemenang kontes
2. Alat bukti tertulis
 surat ini digunakan sebagai bukti akan suatu hal, misalnya surat kontrak kerja
3. Alat pengingat
 misalnya surat pembayaran deposito atau detail belanja
4. Bukti historis
 misalnya surat yang berhubungan dengan sejarah: naskah proklamasi
5. Pedoman kerja
 salah satu surat yang biasanya menjadi panduan dalam melakukan satu
prosedur kerja, misalnya SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)

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Perhatikan contoh surat berikut ini.

45 Rockwell Heights Dr.

Painesville, Ohio, 44110
(440) 355-2590

August 1, 2014
Mr. Bradford Kindersley
Superintendent
Lakeland District School Board
30 Park View Drive, Suite 530
Painesville, Ohio 44077

Dear Superintendent Kindersley,

As required by your Board, this letter is to inform you that we intend to homeschool our
child in Grade 7 during the 2014-2015 school year.
Student Name : Russel Bryant
Student Address : 45 Rockwell Heights Drive
Student Town : Painesville, Ohio
Student DOB : November 14, 2001

Attached is a preliminary curriculum list of books and materials we intend to use.

However, we reserve the right to change or replace curriculum materials at any time in
order that we might achieve the desired academic goals while being responsive to our
child's needs and abilities.

We look forward to receiving your written acknowledgement. Should you have any
questions or comments, we can be reached at the above address and phone number.

We do not authorize the release of any information contained in this notice except as
specifically provided by law. By this notice we are not waiving our rights under the
United States and/or Ohio constitutions as amended.

Sincerely,

__________________ _________________
Herbert Bryant Susan Carter-Bryant

Tabel 1. Contoh Surat

Adapted from: [Link]

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 Pada surat tersebut, terdapat data mengenai siswa, yang jika informasinya
disampaikan hanya secara lisan, penyampaian data bisa menjadi kurang akurat, atau
bahkan tidak diingat sama sekali. Dengan adanya surat, memudahkan orang untuk
mengingat atau mengecek kembali data yang ada.

Latihan 1
Berdasarkan surat di atas, jawab pertanyaan di bawah ini.
1. Who is the sender and the recipient of the letter?
2. What is the aim of the letter?

Menurut kamu, contoh surat di atas merupakan surat pribadi atau surat bisnis? Apa
sih perbedaannya? Berdasarkan kepentingan dan pengirimnya, surat dapat dibagi menjadi
dua jenis, yaitu personal letter dan business letter. Simak pembahasan selanjutnya.

B. Personal Letter
Personal letter atau surat pribadi adalah surat yang memaparkan kepentingan pribadi
seseorang. Personal letter dikirim oleh seseorang secara individu kepada orang lain
dengan membawa kepentingan pribadi. Intinya adalah surat ini dikirim oleh perorangan
dan bukan merupakan surat dari sebuah instansi, organisasi, atau perusahaan resmi.
Tujuan pengiriman personal letter adalah untuk hal-hal yang sifatnya pribadi atau
masalah pribadi pengirim surat. Lalu, hal apa saja yang bisa dikirim melalui jenis surat
pribadi? Beberapa hal yang bisa menjadi isi dari personal letter antara lain:
• informasi mengenai keadaan pengirim surat;
• permintaan maaf secara pribadi (apologies);
• ucapan terima kasih secara pribadi (gratitude);
• ucapan selamat secara pribadi (congratulations); maupun
• undangan acara pribadi (invitations).

Personal letter atau surat pribadi dapat ditulis berdasarkan struktur penulisan tertentu.
Tabel di bawah ini merupakan bagian-bagian yang biasa ditemukan pada surat pribadi.

Heading Umumnya berisi tanggal surat dan alamat pengirim.

Sapaan kepada penerima surat, biasa dikenal juga dengan

Greeting
istilah salutation, misalnya: Dear Kiki.

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 Isi surat yang memaparkan kepentingan pengirim untuk
Body mengirim surat.

Closing Berisi salam penutup dari pengirim untuk penerima surat.

Signature and Name Bagian tanda tangan dan nama pengirim surat.

Tabel 2. Struktur Penulisan Personal Letter

Latihan 2
Garis bawahi dan sebutkan bagian dari surat di bawah ini.

Kenali Village
May 24, 2016

Dear Zenny,
I am sorry about our dinner last night. It was all my fault. I didn’t come on time
because I was so busy at work. How about going out with me tonight to replace
our dinner? I will not be late this time, I promise.

Once again, I’d like to apologize about that. Hope you forgive me this time.
Your Friend,
Danny

C. Business Letter
Selain personal letter yang bersifat tidak resmi, terdapat pula business letter yang merupa-
kan surat resmi. Business letter adalah surat yang dibuat suatu instansi, organisasi, atau
lembaga perusahaan tertentu yang ditujukan kepada seseorang atau lembaga lainnya.
Surat jenis ini biasanya digunakan dalam kegiatan-kegiatan yang berhubungan dengan
bisnis, pekerjaan, atau kegiatan resmi lainnya. Keberadaan instansi, lembaga, organisasi,
dan perusahaan tersebut disahkan secara hukum.
Contoh surat bisnis adalah surat dinas, surat niaga, surat sosial, surat perintah kerja,
surat perjanjian, surat pemberhentian hubungan kerja, dan lain sebagainya. Umumnya,
business letter terdiri dari bagian-bagian sebagai berikut.

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 LETTER HEAD

REFERENCE

DATE

INSIDE ADDRESS

SALUTATION

SUBJECT LINE

BODY OF LETTER

COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE

SIGNATURE

ENCLOSURE

P.S.

CC

Gambar 2. Struktur Penulisan Bussiness Letter

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 Berbeda dengan personal letter yang bersifat pribadi dan tidak terlalu terpaku pada
aturan penulisan maupun gaya bahasa yang digunakan, business letter merupakan surat
yang lebih formal. Di bawah ini merupakan ciri-ciri business letter secara umum.
1. Menggunakan kalimat yang efektif, sederhana, ringkas, jelas, sopan, dan menarik.
2. Menggunakan bahasa baku baik ejaan, kosakata, dan tata bahasanya.
3. Penyajiannya dapat menggunakan penyajian atau format full block, semi block, atau
modified block.
• Full Block: semua elemen surat diatur rata kiri, terdapat spasi untuk memisahkan
setiap paragraf.

3519 Front Street

Mount Celebres, CA 65286

October 5, 2004

Ms. Betty Johnson

Accounts Payable
The Cooking Store
765 Berliner Plaza
Industrial Point, CA 68534

Dear Ms. Johnson:

It has come to my attention that your company, The Cooking Store has been
late with paying their invoices for the past three months.

In order to encourage our customers to pay for their invoices before the due
date, we have implemented a discount model where we'll give you 2% off
your invoice if you pay us within 10 days of receiving the invoice.

I hope that everything is going well for you and your company. You are one
of our biggest customers, and we appreciate your business. If you have any
questions, feel free to contact me at (555) 555-5555.

Sincerely,

Signature
Bob Powers

Tabel 3. Contoh Surat dengan Penyajian Full Block

Adapted from: [Link]

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• Modified block: alamat pengirim, tanggal surat, salam penutup, tanda tangan
dan nama jelas pada surat menggunakan rata kanan, selebihnya elemen surat
diatur rata kiri dan tidak ada spasi untuk memisahkan setiap paragraf, namun
tiap awal paragraf diberi jarak 5 space.

3519 Front Street

Mount Celebres, CA 65286

October 5, 2004

Ms. Betty Johnson

Accounts Payable
The Cooking Store
765 Berliner Plaza
Industrial Point, CA 68534

Dear Ms. Johnson,

It has come to my attention that your company, The Cooking Store has
been late with paying their invoices for the past three months.
In order to encourage our customers to pay for their invoices before
the due date, we have implemented a discount model where we'll give you
2% off your invoice if you pay us within 10 days of receiving the invoice.
I hope that everything is going well for you and your company. You are
one of our biggest customers, and we appreciate your business. If you have
any questions, feel free to contact me at (555) 555-5555.

Sincerely,

Signature
Bob Powers

Tabel 4. Contoh Surat dengan Penyajian Modified Block

Adapted from: [Link]

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 • Semi block: semua elemen surat diatur rata kiri, tidak ada spasi untuk memisahkan
setiap paragraf, namun tiap awal paragraf diberi jarak 5 space.

3519 Front Street

Mount Celebres, CA 65286

October 5, 2004

Ms. Betty Johnson

Accounts Payable
The Cooking Store
765 Berliner Plaza
Industrial Point, CA 68534

Dear Ms. Johnson:

It has come to my attention that your company, The Cooking Store has
been late with paying their invoices for the past three months.
In order to encourage our customers to pay for their invoices before
the due date, we have implemented a discount model where we'll give you
2% off your invoice if you pay us within 10 days of receiving the invoice.
I hope that everything is going well for you and your company. You are
one of our biggest customers, and we appreciate your business. If you have
any questions, feel free to contact me at (555) 555-5555.

Sincerely,

Signature
Bob Powers

Tabel 5. Contoh Surat dengan Penyajian Semi Block

Adapted from: [Link]

4. Menggunakan kop surat.

5. Biasanya menyertakan cap atau stempel.

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 Latihan 3
Analisis bagian-bagian pada surat di bawah ini.

3519 Front Street

Mount Celebres, CA 65286

October 5, 2004

Ms. Betty Johnson

Accounts Payable
The Cooking Store
765 Berliner Plaza
Industrial Point, CA 68534

Dear Ms. Johnson:

It has come to my attention that your company, The Cooking Store has been late
with paying their invoices for the past three months.
In order to encourage our customers to pay for their invoices before the due date,
we have implemented a discount model where we'll give you 2% off your invoice if you
pay us within 10 days of receiving the invoice.
I hope that everything is going well for you and your company. You are one of our
biggest customers, and we appreciate your business. If you have any questions, feel
free to contact me at (555) 555-5555.

Sincerely,

Signature
Bob Powers

Adapted from: [Link]

D. Language Features
Dalam sebuah surat, terdapat ciri-ciri kebahasaan yang umumnya dipakai. Namun, hal
yang membedakan antara personal letter dan business letter ialah penggunaan bahasa
tidak resmi/kasual (informal) pada personal letter dan bahasa resmi (formal) pada business

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 letter. Berikut ini adalah beberapa unsur kebahasaan yang digunakan pada personal dan
business letter.

1. The use of verbs

Informal Formal
say sorry apologize, apologise
go up increase
go down decrease
set up establish
look at examine
find out discover
bring about cause
put off postpone, delay
rack up accumulate
stand for represent
get in touch with contact

It concerns ….
It’s about ….
It’s in regards to ….

need to required
think about consider
get obtain
put up tolerate
deal with handle
seem appear
show demonstrate, illustrate, portray
start commence
keep retain
Let permit
fill in substitute, inform

Tabel 6. Contoh Penggunaan Verbs secara Informal dan Formal pada Surat

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2. The use of transitions
Informal Formal
Anyways Nevertheless
Plus/Also Moreover/ Furthermore
But However
So Therefore/Thus
Also In addition, Additionally
ASAP as soon as possible/at your earliest convenience
Okay, OK acceptable
In the meantime In the interim
I think In my opinion
In the end Finally
To sum up In conclusion
All right Acceptable

Tabel 7. Contoh Penggunaan Transitions secara Informal dan Formal pada Surat

3. The use of emphasis words

Informal Formal
lots of/a lot of much, many
tons of, heaps of large quantities of, a number of
totally completely, strongly
really, very definitely

Tabel 8. Contoh Penggunaan Verbs secara Informal dan Formal pada Surat

4. Letter Expressions
Informal Formal
Hi Robert, Dear Sir or Madam
Just wanted to let you know .… I am writing to inform you .…

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 Informal Formal
Yours Sincerely,
Love,
Yours Faithfully
Yours Truly,
Cheers, Best Regards,
Kind Regards,
Hope to hear from you soon. I look forward to hearing from you.
You can call me if you need anything. Please do not hesitate to contact me.

Tabel 9. Contoh Penggunaan Expressions secara Informal dan Formal pada Surat

Latihan 4
Lengkapi tabel-tabel di bawah ini berdasarkan instruksi yang diberikan.
Rewrite the parts of letters below by replacing the underlined phrases/words with more
formal/informal ones.
1

Sorry I won’t join the meeting on Friday. As I’ll miss it, can you send me a copy of
the minutes, please? I’ll write to Rina as well, to tell her that I won’t be there. Once
again, I am so sorry for this.

2 Thank you for sending me the email on 25 January in which you requested
assistance on how to receive an online discount. It is necessary for me to get
informed about your account number before I can take action to solve this issue.
I would be grateful if you could also inform me which browser you are using.

E. Integrated Practice
Setelah mempelajari tentang jenis-jenis, struktur penulisan, serta unsur kebahasaan pada
surat, jawablah pertanyaan-pertanyaan di bawah ini.

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Answer the questions based on the letters.
Letter 1

34 North Road
Electra Street
Abu Dhabi

27 July 2016

Dear Alia,

It has been a long time since I saw you. I am just waiting for my holidays to get over and
meet you soon. I hope the work has been going well for you at office.

There’s only few days left in my holidays and after that it’s back to work. I’ve bought lots
of stuff for you.

Love,

Kiki

Adapted from: [Link]

1. What is the type of the letter above?

2. Who is the sender of letter?
3. To whom the letter is sent?
4. What does the letter talk about?

Letter 2

3519 Front Street

Mount Celebres, CA 65286

October 5, 2004

Ms. Betty Johnson

Accounts Payable
The Cooking Store
765 Berliner Plaza
Industrial Point, CA 68534

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Dear Ms. Johnson,

It has come to my attention that your company, The Cooking Store has been late with
paying their invoices for the past three months.

In order to encourage our customers to pay for their invoices before the due date, we
have implemented a discount model where we'll give you 2% off your invoice if you pay
us within 10 days of receiving the invoice.

I hope that everything is going well for you and your company. You are one of our
biggest customers, and we appreciate your business. Should you have any questions,
do not hesitate to contact me at (555) 555-5555.

Sincerely,

Bob Powers

Adapted from: [Link]

1. What does the letter tell us about?

2. Who is the sender and the recipient of the letter?
3. What is the the reason of giving 2% discount?
4. Change the sentence below into the informal language.
Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at (555) 555-5555.
(The last sentence)

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 INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION

Guides:
1. What interesting points have you learned in this topic?
2. What challenges did you find when learning the material?
3. How do you plan to overcome the challenges?

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