1. Guidelines for Business Letters
C503 Input letters in acceptable styles.

2. Personal Business Letter (Block Style)
A letter written by an individual to deal with business of a personal nature.
Letters arranged in the block format have all parts of the letter beginning at the left margin.

3. Basic Parts (in order of placement)
Return Address
one line for the street address
one line for city, state (2 letter code), and ZIP Code
Date
Keyed directly under the Return Address
Month (spell it out), day, and year ~ March 19, 2007
Letter Address
Keyed a QS (3 Enters ~ 2 blank lines) below the date
Delivery address (address of person receiving the letter)
Use a personal title (Miss, Mr., Mrs., Ms.) or professional title (Dr., Lt., Senator) before the receiver’s name

4. Salutation (greeting)
Keyed a DS (2 Enters ~ 1 blank line) below the letter address
Includes title and last name (unless you know the receiver on a personal level)
Body
Start keying a DS (2 Enters ~ 1 blank line) below the salutation
SS (single space ~ no blank lines) within the paragraphs
DS (double space ~ 1 blank line) between the paragraphs

5. Complimentary Close (farewell)
Keyed a DS below the last line of the body
Sincerely, Very Truly Yours, etc.
Name of Writer
Keyed a QS (3 blank lines )below the complimentary close
QS allows for room for signature
Name may be preceded by a title

6. Special Parts Reference Initials Attachment/Enclosure notation
Used if someone other than the writer keys the letter
Keyed a DS below the writer’s typed name
Keyed in lowercase letters at the left margin
Attachment/Enclosure notation
Used if another document is attached/included with the letter
Keyed a DS below the Reference Initials or a DS below the writer’s typed name if no Reference Initials

7. Margins
Side = 1”
Top = 2 – 2 ½”
Bottom = 1”

9. Punctuation Styles Open Mixed
No punctuation after salutation or complimentary close
Mixed
Colon after salutation Dear Mrs. Walker:
Comma after close Sincerely,