Business Letters Writing - Format of a Business Letter

Business letter formats have changed over the years. If you went to school prior to the 1970s, you probably learned one basic form of business letter now called the Modified Semi-Block. It was the bane of every beginning typist because of its strict rules concerning spacing. Luckily, the movement in business has been to simplify and provide choices. Now you have a choice of six different forms, some extremely simple, others more complex. This chapter will review the various forms. The six forms of business letters most commonly used are:

• Block

• Simplified

• Modified Block

• Hanging Indented

• Modified Semi-Block

• Memo

It is likely that your organization may prefer one form over another. In the following explanations, the assumption is that you will be using letterhead stationery. If you are writing a personal business letter without letterhead, place your address one line above or below the date

Block

Italics Unlimited 231 W. 40th Street • Camden, NJ 08618 • (623) 555-2678 August 10, 20XX XXX Terry Lancaster Capital Supply 657 Minden Ct. Des Moines, Iowa 54687 Attention: President of Capital Supply Dear Mr. Lancaster: Subject: XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX Sincerely, Signature Joan McAllister JFM:eer P.S.XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX