Letter Etiquette Guide
Interactive guide to letter writing etiquette and best practices. Learn proper salutations, closings, and formatting rules for different situations.
Letter Etiquette Guide
Master the art of professional correspondence with comprehensive etiquette guidelines for every situation. From business letters to personal notes, learn the proper protocols that make great impressions.
💼 Proper Business Letter Format
A well-formatted business letter follows a specific structure that conveys professionalism and makes your message easy to read.
Standard Business Letter Format:
1. Your Contact Information (letterhead or typed)
- Your name and title
- Company name
- Complete address
- Phone number and email
2. Date
- Spell out the full date (January 15, 2024)
- Place it 2-4 lines below your address
3. Recipient's Information
- Full name and title
- Company name
- Complete address
4. Salutation
- Use "Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]:" for formal letters
- Use "Dear [First Name]:" if you know them well
- Use "Dear Sir or Madam:" only if you cannot find a name
5. Body Paragraphs
- Keep paragraphs short and focused
- Single-space within paragraphs
- Double-space between paragraphs
6. Closing
- Use "Sincerely," for most business letters
- Use "Best regards," for slightly less formal tone
- Leave 4 lines for your signature
- Type your name below the signature line
Formatting Tips:
- Use 1-inch margins on all sides
- Use 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font
- Left-align all text (don't center or justify)
- Use quality letterhead or white paper