Business Letter Format – The Elements That Make It Work
Business letter formats are not just the way in which you communicate your message. It is a combination of all the things that make your document interesting, stylish and easy to read and comprehend. It is possible to create the most engaging letter by learning about the elements that make it work.
Grammar is the first thing to consider when creating a letter. There are rules that govern how each word should be used, punctuation and how the sentences should flow. A good rule of thumb is to keep as few mistakes as possible but not so many that they make the text illegible. To get this right, use Microsoft Word’s spell check function. Word can check your document for errors that may sneak through when typing or when you are reading over your paper.
The second thing to consider when creating a business letter format is the font. Choosing a font is the first step in selecting a font style. Then comes the choice of size, capitalization and alignment.
The writing style will have a huge effect on how a reader perceives your written words. For example, a formal language has letters at the top of the page that are cursive. A casual style has letters at the bottom of the page that are unstyled. If your reader has difficulty with the cursive style, there is no guarantee that he or she will be able to read your business letter.
Next is word count. How much information you put on the page will also determine how long your paper is. Depending on your audience, the number of pages you want to write could affect the length of your letter. If you want to write a short letter, find a longer word for each page. In this case, the word is one-half of a word and the paragraph is two words longer than the letter itself.
Another element to consider when creating a business letter format is the font color. Some people use cream, chocolate or brown to draw attention to certain parts of their document. A professional presentation uses black or a light background, especially when the writer wants to emphasize certain points. For example, a business letter will have a black font, including the titles.
Finally, consider your target audience when designing your letter format. Is it for a lawyer, an accountant or a doctor? What is the general range of readers? Be as specific as possible when working with a niche audience.
Using all these elements will ensure that you create a letter format that engages your audience. After all, what would your audience do if you don’t convey your message effectively?
