The Business Letter
Rich Greco
Acceptable
Format of the Business Letter
In General It Should:
Show
Be
an Attractive Letterhead
Symmetrical and Balanced
Contain:
Proper
Grammar
Correct Spelling Logically Correct Sentences
The Letterhead
Should Contain Your: Name Address Phone Number E-mail Fax Number
And Have a Bottom Border (which is no more than 2 inches below the margin)
The Letter
The letter has six (6) parts:
1. The Dateline 2. The Inside Address 3. The Salutation 4. The Message (body of the letter)
5. The Complimentary Close 6. The Signature Block
The Dateline
The Date
Month written out, e.g.,
August 12, 2002
2 to 6 lines below the border of the Letterhead (This allows the writer to adjust for balance)
The Inside Address
The Inside Address should be basically what will appear on the envelope (outside address) 3 to 8 lines below the Dateline (allows for balance adjustment) It should include: Courtesy Title and Full Name Business Affiliation Full Geographical Location
e.g.
Mrs. June Smith President June’s Bakery 14 Egg Road Sweetness, NJ 15437
The Salutation
Say Hello to the person:
Dear Mrs. Smith, Dear Mr. Jones,
(exactly) 2lines below the inside address
Message (body of the Letter)
2 lines below the Salutation
Single Spaced Blank Line Between Paragraphs Say what you have to say!
Complimentary Close
(exactly) 2 lines below the last line of the message
For Example:
Sincerely, Yours Truly,
Say Goodbye
The Signature Block
Leave at least 3 blank lines (for the actual signature) Key Your Name (as you will sign it)
If You Like, Key Your Title Under Your Name
Finished
The End
A Typical Business Letter is attached to the back of the Handouts. Identify each of the items making up the letter