Styles and Format of Business Letter

Most business letters must include a return address (letterhead or your name and address), date, an inside address (receiver's name and address), a salutation, body paragraphs, and a closing. However, there are several ways to format this information. For example, return addresses can be centered or begin at the left margin or begin at the horizontal center of the page.

There are four basic business letter formats.

Letter Format		Features	Sample Letter
Full Block		All letter parts begin at the left margin.	Full Block
Modified Block	Indented Paragraphs	Date, signature, and closing begin at the horizontal center of the page. All body paragraphs are indented.	Indented Paragraphs
	Blocked Paragraphs	Date, signature, and closing begin at the horizontal center of the page. All body paragraphs begin at the left margin.	Blocked Paragraphs
Simplified		All letter parts begin at the left margin. This format includes a subject line but omits the salutation and signature.	Simplified

Format for Writing Professional Letters

There are several formats for writing professional letters. There are two basic styles of letters: block form and indented form. The samples below will help you determine which style you prefer.

Check Writing Letters for more details on block, indented and simplified letters.

Full Block Form

Your Name Address Phone Number E-mail (optional) Date Name of Receiver Title Company Name Address Dear __________: When writing a letter using block form, no lines are indented. Include your name, address, and phone number where you can be contacted, as well as the date. You then include the name and address of the person you are sending the letter to. With new paragraphs, just skip a line instead of indenting. Add your phone number where you can be contacted in the last paragraph. If the receiver needs to use a relay service to call you, briefly explain that you are deaf/ hard-of-hearing and that s/he can call you through relay. Give the receiver his/her state relay number and explain that s/he will need to give the operator your number. Then give him/her your number. Sincerely, Your Signature Your Name Your Title

Indented Paragraphs Form

Your Name Address Phone Number E-mail (optional) Date Name of Receiver Title Company Name Address Dear __________:                When writing a letter using indented form, indent each paragraph. First include your name, address, phone number, and the date. This information should be located at the top of the page, either in the center, or indented on the right side of the paper. You then include the name and address of the person to whom you are sending the letter.                At the end of the letter, place your signature on the right side of the page. Don't forget to provide any relay information if necessary. Sincerely, Your Signature Your Name Your Title

Blocked Paragraphs Form

Your Name Address Phone Number E-mail (optional) Date Name of Receiver Title Company Name Address Dear __________: When writing a letter using blocked form, indent each paragraph. First include your name, address, phone number, and the date. This information should be located at the top of the page, either in the center, or indented on the right side of the paper. You then include the name and address of the person to whom you are sending the letter. At the end of the letter, place your signature on the right side of the page. Don't forget to provide any relay information if necessary. Sincerely, Your Signature Your Name Your Title

Simplified Style Form

Your Name Address Phone Number E-mail (optional) Date Name of Receiver Title Company Name Address SUBJECT LINE (use capital letters) When writing a letter using simplified style form, put the date on the left. Then, put the receiver's name, and his/her title, company name, and address. Write a subject line instead of a salutation. The subject line must be in all capital letters. At the end of the letter, put your name and title, all in capital letters. YOUR NAME YOUR TITLE

OTHER OPTIONS

• If you are using block format, you can place your address anywhere on the letter. You can place it at the top of the page (top center or top right side), or you can put your address at the end of the letter after your signature and name, regardless of which format you use.
• If you are using block form, you can place the date on the left, in the center, or on the right. However, if you are using the indented form, it is usually better to place the date on the right or on the left. Do not put it in the center.
• With the indented form, you can put your signature on the right or left side of the page.
• If you want to make your letter stand out, boldly type your name in a larger font at the top of the letter and type your address just below it in a smaller font. Example:
  Missy Gold
  1345 Main Street
  Anytown, VA 22879

• The word processing program in your computer might have some standard letter templates that can help you. These programs generally have many different style and format options. Check your template feature or the help desk on your word processing program to see your options. Some key words you can try are:
• letters
• create a letter
• write a letter
• resumes

References

• Sourced by Janel Muyesseroglu 
• Gallaudet Interpreting Services (June 1999). GIS Web. [Online]. Available: http://www.gallaudet.edu/~gisweb/ [June 23, 1999]. 
• Maggio, R. (1990). How to say it. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 
• Webster's New World Office Professional's Handbook. (5th ed.). (1996). New York: Macmillan. 
• Yate, M. (1997). Cover letters that knock'em dead. Holbrook, Massachusetts: Adams Media Corporation