As always, don’t forget to edit and proofread the body of the letter before sending. If your letter covers a lot, it’s best to include a closing paragraph at the end to summarize everything the recipient needs to know. It should go without saying, but don’t use slang, profanity, or other inappropriate language. The important thing is that you stay focused and avoid tangential topics.Īlthough different company cultures have different communication standards, it’s a safe bet to avoid casual phrasing and jokes some even advise against using contractions. Some formal letters are only a sentence or two long, although others can go on for paragraphs if there’s a lot of information to convey. Unlike personal letters, formal letters are straightforward and direct, so don’t be afraid to get straight to the point.
The one exception for full block style is that you do not indent the first lines of paragraphs. The body of the letter follows the normal rules of grammar, so write it as you would any other formal document. Try to avoid “Dear Sir or Madam,” as it’s a little outdated. If you don’t know the name of the receiver, you can also use a job title or even the department name, for example, “Dear HR Representative.” As a last resort, you can use the generic salutation “To Whom It May Concern” in any circumstance. All salutations use title capitalization and end in a comma. Most salutations begin with “Dear” and then the name of the recipient. Step 2: Write the salutationįormal letters always have a greeting at the beginning of the written content as a cue that your message is about to begin. Leave a blank line after the contact information before writing the salutation.
Feel free to include their job title below their name if it’s relevant. Last, skip a line again and add the recipient’s name and full address. If you’re writing on official company letterhead that already includes this information, you do not need to rewrite the contact information.Īfter your address, skip a line and then add the date you’re writing the letter. This isn’t just a formality, but a useful inclusion so the recipient can easily find your contact information when they want to respond. In the full block style, this goes in the upper left-hand corner.įirst, as the sender, type your full name and address aligned to the left side, just as you would when addressing an envelope.
How to write a formal letter in block style Step 1: Write the contact information and dateĪll formal letters start with the contact information and date. There are a few differences, however, which we briefly cover after the next section. This includes the first lines of paragraphs, which don’t use indentation.ĪMS is fairly similar, following many of the same rules as block style. Block style is characterized by all elements being aligned on the left margin of the page. In the example below, we use block style, specifically full block style, because it’s the most popular. The most common formats for formal letter writing are block style and American Mathematical Society, or AMS, style. In fact, there are a few different “correct formats” to choose from. Because they’re sometimes used as official documents, formal letters have a very precise structure and particular format. AMS styleįormal letters-like cover letters, business inquiries, and urgent notifications- are some of the most important letters you’ll ever have to write. Each has a distinct format you’ll want to follow. Before writing a letter, consider the type of letter you need: formal or informal.
These are just some of the types of letters that you might need to write in a casual or professional environment. When used for professional purposes, writing a formal letter is effective for the following: However, for business contacts or people you don’t know well, a typed formal letter is almost always the most appropriate choice. There are different types of letters that are appropriate for this format. For a friend or close relative, a casual message or informal letter is usually the best way to go. The most suitable letter format depends on your audience. Write with Grammarly What type of letter should you write?