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Developed by Patrick Peters and Koon Wei Ho
Most business letters must include a return address (letterhead or your name and address), date, an inside address (receiver's name and address), a salutation, body paragraphs, and a closing. However, there are several ways to format this information. For example, return addresses can be centered or begin at the left margin or begin at the horizontal center of the page.
There are four basic business letter formats.
| Letter Format | Features | Sample Letter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Block | All letter parts begin at the left margin. | Full Block | |
| Modified Block | Indented Paragraphs | Date, signature, and closing begin at the horizontal center of the page. All body paragraphs are indented. | Indented Paragraphs |
| Blocked Paragraphs | Date, signature, and closing begin at the horizontal center of the page. All body paragraphs begin at the left margin. | Blocked Paragraphs | |
| Simplified | All letter parts begin at the left margin. This format includes a subject line but omits the salutation and signature. | Simplified | |
Check Writing Letters for more details on block, indented and simplified letters.