Please use the following format for your business letters:
{NOTE: your name goes only at the bottom}
Mrs. Long’s Class
C/O Durham Middle School
2891 Mars Hill Rd
Acworth, GA 30101
February 24, 2010
First and Last Name of the Person to whom you are writing
Address
City, ST zip
Dear Mr./Ms. Person: [note the colon]
Times have changed, and indentations for paragraphs are usually not used because it is
easier not to use them. The body paragraphs should be single spaced in a business letter.
But you should double space between paragraphs when your letter contains more than
one paragraph. In the first paragraph, you will be explaining your purpose for contacting
this person, and your reason for writing them. You may wish to share why you are
writing to this specific journalist, and why they inspired you.
In a second paragraph, you will want to give a specific example of your experience as a
journalist, and your new understanding of his or her job. This would be a good place to
ask any questions of him or her about something you are interested in journalism. You
will also want to explain how you benefited from your contact with this person. Be sure
to thank him/her for his/her time and efforts on your behalf.
Sincerely yours,
{three spaces so that your signature may appear here}
Sally Student (please put only your first name and last initial)