In 1970, the average letter was 250 words long. Today the average letter is less than 125 words. Yet when that 125 word letter is word processed, printed on paper, and mailed, it costs almost twice as much to send as the longer letter did in 1970.

You can usually tell your whole story in a few words and make the reader feel good about you and your company by concentrating on the essentials.

State the purpose of your letter in one clear, simple sentence. If the reader will welcome that sentence, put it first and explain later.

If the reader will resent that sentence, explain first to make the reader feel better, and follow the purpose sentence with some kind of positive advice.

If the reader is likely to ignore or resist that sentence, save it until near the end of your letter, after you've explained the situation thoroughly.

In addition to avoiding wordy expressions (the color red, square in shape, in the month of August, etc.) eliminate all words and sentences that do not help make your idea clear or make your reader feel better about you and your company.

When you have real communication problems, remember that Communication Consultants Inc., 2525 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90002, is here to help. Whether your problems are letters, reports, interpersonal, small group, or labor-management, we can help you solve them. We're as near as your phone (800/555-1212) and on the Internet (http://comperts.com)