Business Letter Block Format--Note: Letter is typed single spaced. Double-spaced areas are noted:
1 inch margin on left side
English 109-2 (your hour)
Dearborn, MI 48126
October 19, 2010
Four to Seven Spaces
Ms. Helen Jones, President
Jones, Jones & Jones
123 International Lane
Boston, Massachusetts 01234
Double Space
Dear Ms. Jones: (notice colon)
Double Space
Ah, business letter format-there are block formats, and indented formats, and
modified block formats . . . and who knows what others. To simplify matters,
we're demonstrating the block format on this page, one of the two most common
formats. For authoritative advice about all the variations, we highly
recommend The Gregg Reference Manual, 9th ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001),
a great reference tool for workplace communications. There seems to be no
consensus about such fine points as whether to skip a line after your return
address and before the date: some guidelines suggest that you do; others do
not. Let's hope that your business letter succeeds no matter which choice
you make!
Double Space
When you use the block form to write a business letter, all the information
is typed flush left, with one-inch margins. First provide your heading, your
own address and the date, then skip four to seven more lines
and provide the inside address of the party to whom the letter is addressed.
If you are using letterhead that already provides your address, do not
retype that information; just begin with the date. For formal letters,
avoid abbreviations where possible.
Double Space
Skip another line before the salutation, which should be followed by a colon.
Then write the body of your letter as illustrated here, with no indentation
at the beginnings of paragraphs. Skip lines between paragraphs.
Double Space
After writing the body of the letter, type the closing, followed by a comma,
leave 4 blank lines, then type your name and title (if applicable), all
flush left. Sign the letter in the blank space above your typed name. Now
doesn't that look professional?
Double Space
Yours sincerely,
Four spaces—add your signature before turning in assignment
Student Name
English 109-2 (your hour)
Dearborn, MI 48126
October 19, 2010
Four to Seven Spaces
Ms. Helen Jones, President
Jones, Jones & Jones
123 International Lane
Boston, Massachusetts 01234
Double Space
Dear Ms. Jones: (notice colon)
Double Space
Ah, business letter format-there are block formats, and indented formats, and
modified block formats . . . and who knows what others. To simplify matters,
we're demonstrating the block format on this page, one of the two most common
formats. For authoritative advice about all the variations, we highly
recommend The Gregg Reference Manual, 9th ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001),
a great reference tool for workplace communications. There seems to be no
consensus about such fine points as whether to skip a line after your return
address and before the date: some guidelines suggest that you do; others do
not. Let's hope that your business letter succeeds no matter which choice
you make!
Double Space
When you use the block form to write a business letter, all the information
is typed flush left, with one-inch margins. First provide your heading, your
own address and the date, then skip four to seven more lines
and provide the inside address of the party to whom the letter is addressed.
If you are using letterhead that already provides your address, do not
retype that information; just begin with the date. For formal letters,
avoid abbreviations where possible.
Double Space
Skip another line before the salutation, which should be followed by a colon.
Then write the body of your letter as illustrated here, with no indentation
at the beginnings of paragraphs. Skip lines between paragraphs.
Double Space
After writing the body of the letter, type the closing, followed by a comma,
leave 4 blank lines, then type your name and title (if applicable), all
flush left. Sign the letter in the blank space above your typed name. Now
doesn't that look professional?
Double Space
Yours sincerely,
Four spaces—add your signature before turning in assignment
Student Name