Writing Letters

Letters consist of several parts:

Heading
Inside address
Date
Salutation
Intro
Body
Closing
Signature

Heading
Include the writers address (in letterhead or
typed out) and the date.

Inside address
Include the readers name and address. If
the his/her title is a single word, you place it
after the name and a comma (e.g.: Mr.
Michael Smith, Ph.D.). A longer title goes
on a separate line.

Salutation
Begin with Dear plus a colon (optional).
Use Mr. or Ms. plus the persons surname,
unless you know him/her well.
If you dont know the persons surname,
replace the salutation with Dear or Attention
along with the title of an appropriate reader
(e.g. Dear Sales Manager).

Body
Write single-spaced paragraphs with
double-spacing between paragraphs (do not
indent).

Closing and Signature

Use Sincerely, Yours sincerely or Yours
truly, followed by a comma (optional).
Include the writers handwritten name plus
his/her typed name.

Types of letters

Cover letter
Letter of application (job/studies)
Letter of complaint
Letter of request or inquiry
Letter of recommendation