General Format

There are two main styles of business letters: 1. Full block style: Align all elements on the left margin. 2. Modified block style with other elements on the left page margin.

Margins
In general, left and right margins are one inch (approx. 2.5 cm). For letters that are a full page or longer, top and bottom margins are likewise one inch (approx. 2.5 cm). For letters shorter than a full page, the text is centered vertically so that the top and bottom margins match.

Font Formatting
No special character or font formatting is used, except for the subject line, which is usually underlined.

Punctuation
The salutation/greeting is generally followed by a comma, although in the United States a colon is often preferred. The valediction/closing is followed by a comma.

Example Template
[YOUR NAME] [SENDER'S ADDRESS] (optional[SENDER'S PHONE] (optional[THE SENDER'S E-MAIL]

[DATE]

[RECIPIENT W/O PREFIX] [RECIPIENT'S COMPANY] [RECIPIENT'S ADDRESS]

(Optional) Attention [DEPARTMENT/PERSON],

Dear [RECIPIENT W/ PREFIX]: [First Salutation then Subject in Business letters]

[CONTENT.]

[CONTENT.]

[COMPLIMENTARY CLOSING (Sincerely, Respectfully, Regards, etc.)],

[SENDER] [SENDER'S TITLE]

Enclosures ([NUMBER OF ENCLOSURES])

cc: [CC RECIPIENT], [CC RECIPIENT TITLE] [CC RECIPIENT], [CC RECIPIENT TITLE] Indentation

Formats

Business letters conform to generally one of four indentation formats: Block, Semi-Block, Modified Block, and Modified Semi-Block. Put simply, "Semi-" means that the first lines of paragraphs are indented; "Modified" means that the sender's address, date, and closing are significantly indented.

Block
In a Block format letter, (1) all text is aligned to the left margin, (2) paragraphs are not indented. 3) paragraphs are separated by double or triple spacing.

Semi-Block
In a Semi-Block format letter (1) all text is aligned to the left margin, (2) paragraphs are indented.

Modified Block
In a Modified Block format letter, (1) all text is aligned to the left margin, except for the author's address, date, and closing; and (2) paragraphs are not indented. The author's address, date, and closing are usually indented three inches from the left margin, but can be set anywhere to the right of the middle of the page, as long as all three elements are indented to the same position.

Modified Semi-Block
In a Modified Semi-Block format letter, (1) all text is aligned to the left margin, except for the author's address, date, and closing; and (2) paragraphs are indented. The author's address, date, and closing are usually indented in same position