Business Letter Format

Your Return Address
Your City, CO zip

Date [write out either like June 4, 2013 or 4 June 2013]

First and Last Name of the Person to whom you are writing                                                             (if appropriate, the person’s title)

(if their title was included, this next line should be the organization or company name)
Address
City, ST zip

Dear Mr./Ms. Person: [note the colon]

Times have changed, and indentations for paragraphs are usually not used because it is easier not to use them. The body paragraphs should be single spaced in a business letter.  Can you tell that business letters are in ELEVEN POINT font? They are. You should double space between paragraphs when your letter contains more than one paragraph.  Most business letters have a direct structure: your claim should appear early in the letter (right here at the end of the first paragraph is a good place).

In the second paragraph in a standard business letter, you will want to give specific examples. This is the main body paragraph of a business letter—it should prove your point. For the purpose of the proposal argument however, you will have a number of body paragraphs; each paragraph will prove its own supporting reason (thus building your argument).  When you use an outside source, introduce it in the body of your sentence:  The Purdue Online Writer’s Workshop argues that a good business letter will clearly make its points and support them. 

It is common practice to close your letter with a reiteration of your call to action. Be sure to thank him/her for his/her time and efforts on your behalf. This is a respectful way of closing your letter.

Sincerely,

[four-five spaces so that your signature may fit here; BE SURE TO SIGN THE FINAL DRAFT]

Sally Student

[NOTE: your name appears only at the end of the letter]