Business Documents
Block and Modified Block Style
Letters
Instructions
Use the information in the following slides to
complete the Letter Guide worksheet.
On slide 5 with the letter example diagrams,
click on the different parts of the letters to
read about each part. Use the screen tips
that appear to help label the letters on the
back of the worksheet. Click the HOME
button to return to the main page.
Answer the questions about each letter part
carefully for use in a future assignment.
Block Style
In Block Style letters, all letter parts are
aligned at the left margin.
This style saves keying time since it
requires no tabbing or indenting.
Modified-Block Style
In this style, the Return Address, Letter
Date, Complimentary Close, and
Signature Line begin at the horizontal
center (3-inch mark).
All other letter parts are left aligned at
the margin.
Block Style
Example
Modified-Block
Style Example
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HOME
The Return Address
First part of a letter.
Contains the address of the person
sending the letter (street, city, state,
and ZIP code).
DOES NOT include the name of the
sender.
It is not necessary to type the return
address is you are using stationery with
the return address already imprinted.
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Letter Date
Always include the date the letter was
written.
Do not abbreviate the date; write it out,
including month, day, and year (March 20,
2006).
Immediately follows the return address.
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Inside Address
The name and address of the person to
whom you are sending the letter.
Make it as complete as possible. Include
titles, names, and any routing
information to make sure the letter is
delivered properly.
Follows the Letter Date.
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Salutation
The Salutation is also known as the
greeting.
Normally begins with the word “Dear”.
It is always formal, meaning you use
the person’s title (Mr., Mrs., Dr.) and
their last name.
Appears below the Inside Address.
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Body
The text of the letter. It begins right
after the Salutation.
In a business letter it is never
handwritten.
The Body is single-spaced with a
double-space between paragraphs.
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Complimentary Close
A short, polite closing after the body of
the letter.
Begins with a capital letter; if more than
one word, the second word is not
capitalized.
Make sure the tone of the
Complimentary Close matches that of
the letter.
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Signature Line
The Signature Line is the typed name of
the sender.
It appears several lines below the
Complimentary Close to allow room for
a signature.
The signature line may include a second
line for a title, if appropriate.
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Modified-Block Return Address
Includes the same information as in a
Block Style letter, but is typed
beginning at the horizontal center of
the page.
Move the indent marker to the 3-inch
mark to type the information. Move the
marker back after typing the Letter
Date before keying the rest of the
letter.
HOME
Modified-Block Letter Date
Just as with a Block Style letter, always
include the date.
In a Modified-Block format, key the
date immediately below the Return
Address. Begin the date at the
horizontal center.
HOME
Modified-Block
Complimentary Close
Includes same information as in the
Block Style letter, but is typed
beginning at the horizontal center of
the page.
The Complimentary Close is aligned
with the Return Address and the Letter
Date at the top of the letter.
HOME
Modified-Block
Signature Line
Includes the same information as in the
Block Style letter, but is typed
beginning at the horizontal center of
the page.
The Signature Line should be aligned
with the Complimentary Close above it.