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Format Of A Business Letter

Format of a Business Letter

There are three basic business letter formats; however, students are encouraged to use the block format

as it is the easiest. In the block format, all parts of the letter run along the left side of the page. No

paragraphs of the body are indented.

PLEASE NOTE:

 You may choose to double space your work, if you think it will allow you to make changes

more easily. This should only be applied to the body of the letter and not to other part.

 There are formatting differences between the handwritten letter and the typed letter. Please

remember the format for your chosen method. It is important to remember in formal settings,

one should always type a business letter.

Parts of the Business Letter

1. Heading

The heading consists of your address and the date.

501 Spring Street

Regina SK R3T 4N7

January 3, 2002

2. Inside Address

The inside address consists of the name and address of the person to whom you are writing. IF

YOU ARE TYPING YOUR LETTER it appears 4 lines below the heading. IF YOU ARE

HAND WRITING YOUR LETTER it appears one line below the heading.

Sam Hunt, Director

The Knitting Mill

1409 3 Avenue

Toronto ON L3V 7B1

3. Salutation

The most traditional salutation or greeting for a business letter is Dear followed by Mr., Ms.,

Mrs., or Miss and the person’s last name, and ending with a colon. WHETHER YOU ARE

TYPING OR HANDWRITING YOUR LETTER, the salutation can appear 1 OR 2 lines below

the inside address.

Dear Mr. Smith:

Dear Ms. Black:

Dear Mrs. Brown:

Dear Miss Green:

4. Body

The body is the main part of the letter in which you write what you have to say to the person.

WHETHER YOU ARE TYPING OR HANDWRITING YOUR LETTER, skip one line after

the salutation.

 Be concise. Ensure that sufficient information is given so that your purpose is clearly

understood, and your request is well received.

 Business letters are formal so the language that you use should also be formal.

Format Of A Business Letter