Acceptances: Tips on Writing

• Send acceptances as soon as possible. If you are late, apologize, but keep brief and to the point.
• Here’s a tip from noted usage expert Rudolf Flesch, “If your answer to an inquiry is yes, it’s a good idea to make yes the first word in your letter.”
• Be enthusiastic. Of course, it is proper to simply state your acceptance and repeat the details for the invitation. However,  the opinion about you with hosts, employers, or friends will go up beautifully if you add a sentence saying something personal, cheerful, or lively.
• When your invitation is issued in the name of more than one person, mention all of them in your reply. Send your reply either to the person listed under the R.S.V.P. or to the first name given.
• Especially important: Always respond promptly to an invitation marked “R.S.V.P.” or “Please reply.”   This is mandatory and required and essential.

Rerun from Sep 28, 2018

Acceptances: How to Say It

When you are writing an acceptance, here are some great guidelines:

• Express your pleasure in accepting the invitation, offer, proposal or agreeing to do what was asked
• Repeat the details of what you are accepting (meeting date and time, amount of the contribution, the precise nature of your assistance, the duties you agree to do)
• Inquire about particular needs: redirections to host’s home, wheelchair accessibility, equipment for your speech, list of other organizers, receipt for a tax-deductible contribution
• Close with an expression of pleasure to come (seeing the person, working for the company, being part of the group) or of future action (what you wish to accomplish, actions you intend to take, a reciprocal invitation)

Rerun from Sep 21, 2015

What to Write Acceptances for

Some people express that they are uncertain whether they need to respond in writing to a request.  To help you know, here is a list of what to write acceptances for:

• admissions requests: organizations, clubs, school
• invitations: dinner, luncheon, meeting, party
• job offers
• membership offers: organization, board, commission
• proposals
• requests: favors, contributions, help
• speaking invitations: workshop, conference, banquet
• wedding invitations

Rerun from Sep 14, 2015