Correct Layout for Business Letters

A professional business letter makes a good impression.

The format used in your business letter gives the reader some idea of what to expect from the document before he begins reading. Using the correct layout for a business letter is a good way to show that you are professional and organized.

Return Address

The top left-hand side of the letter should identify where the letter came from, according to BusinessLetter.org.

Date

Type the date a few lines below the return address, According to WriteExpress.com, this can be written as day first, then month and year, or month, day and year. For example, 01 February 2010 or February 1, 2010.

Recipient Information

Use the complete title, name and address of the person you want to read your letter. According to WriteExpress.com, when you are sending it to a woman and you are not sure whether she is married, use the title "Ms."

Salutation

According to Writing-Business-Letters.com, you should include the recipient's name in the greeting whenever possible, followed by a colon. "Dear Ms. Smith:" is one example.

Body

The block letter format is the simplest for business letters. According to BusinessLetter.org, there is no need to indent the beginning of each paragraph in block format. Separate each paragraph with a hard return (leave a space between each paragraph).

Closing

Writing-Business-Letters.com recommends using a professional closing, such as "Regards," "Sincerely," "Cordially" or "Respectfully yours."

References

• Business Letter Format
• Write Express: Business Letter Format Tips
• Writing Business Letters: Use the Correct Business Letter Format

Resources

• Business Letters
• The Writing Center: Block Form Example