Writing a Business Letter
The Right Way to Complain or Make a Request
7 Parts of a Business Letter
Return address Date Inside Address Salutation Body Closing Signature
Return Address and Date
This goes at the top-left of your page. The return address is your address, including street, city, state, and zip code. Just below the Return Address, put the date of the letter’s completion.
Inside Address
Skip 4 lines after the date before writing the inside address. The inside address is the address of the people to whom you are writing. It should include the company name, street, city, state, and zip code.
Salutation
Skip one line from the Inside Address.
Dear Sir or Madam:
To whom it may concern: Etc.
The 4-Part Body
Who are you in relation to the request? Why are you writing? What do you want from the company?
Thank your reader for their time and consideration.
The 4-Part Body
Skip a line after the salutation. Skip a line in between body paragraphs. Don’t indent new paragraphs
Closing, Signature, and Typed Name
Skip a line after the last body paragraph. Write “Sincerely,” Skip 4 lines (for signing the letter)
Type your name
The Final Product
Copy the next page for a good visual!
Now You Try!
Write a letter to the El Cajon Valley English Department Requesting some change in your current English class. The address is 1035 E. Madison Ave., El Cajon, California 92021. Don’t forget, you need 4 short body paragraphs (at least 3 sentences each).