Parts and Format of a Business Letter

It contains the return address, date on the last line, name of the sender, and their contact details. Usually, the address and the date are separated by one line breaker.

• Heading

• Inside Address

• Salutation

• Body

This is the address of the receiver. The name of the receiver must be included and must be complete. Have one line breaker before the recipient's address.

• Salutation

• Body

• Complimentary Close

• Inside Address

This also serves as a greeting in business letters. Most of the time, it starts with "Dear [Receiver's Name]".

• Body

• Signature Line

• Salutation

• Enclosure

This is the content of the letter. The purpose of writing the letter is stated here.

• Complimentary Close

• Body

• Salutation

• Heading

This is the short polite mark that ends the letter.

• Complimentary Close

• Signature Line

• Enclosure

• Body

From the complimentary close, skip at least four lines. Then, type the complete name of the sender.

• Complimentary Close

• Heading

• Signature Line

• Inside Address

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.8.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

If there are documents attached to the letter, you may indicate it by typing "Enclosure" one line below the listing.

• Signature Line

• Complimentary Close

• Body

• Enclosure

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

This is the most common format in business letter writing. In this format, all lines are in left alignment, single space, except for the lines between the paragraphs.

• Block

• Modified Block

• Semi Block

In this format, the date and closing are placed at the right of the center of the paper. On the other hand, the body, the header, and the receiver's address are in left alignment with single space.

• Block

• Modified Block

• Semi Block

This is the least used format in business letters. Semi block requires each paragraph to be indented.

• Block

• Modified Block

• Semi Block

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.8.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.5