The Business Letter Rich Greco Acceptable Format of the Business Letter

In General It Should: Show an Attractive Letterhead Be Symmetrical and Balanced  Contain:  Proper Grammar  Correct Spelling  Logically Correct Sentences

The Letterhead Should Contain Your: Name Address Phone Number 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 Month written out, e.g., August 12, to 6 lines below the border of the Letterhead (This allows the writer to adjust for balance) The Date

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 Yours Truly,  For Example: Sincerely,  Say Goodbye

The Signature Block Leave at least 3 blank lines (for the actual signature) Finished Key Your Name (as you will sign it) If You Like, Key Your Title Under Your Name

The End A Typical Business Letter is attached to the back of the Handouts. Identify each of the items making up the letter