C 3
Format of a Business Letter
Business letter formats have changed over the years. If you
went to school prior to the 1970s, you probably learned one basic
form of business letter now called the Modified Semi-Block. It
was the bane of every beginning typist because of its strict rules
concerning spacing. Luckily, the movement in business has been
to simplify and provide choices. Now you have a choice of six
different forms, some extremely simple, others more complex.
This post will review the various forms. The six forms of
business letters most commonly used are:
• Block • Simplified
• Modified Block • Hanging Indented
• Modified Semi-Block • Memo
It is likely that your organization may prefer one form over
another. In the following explanations, the assumption is that you
will be using letterhead stationery.
