Parts of a business letter

There are a number of rules governing the content and layout of the parts of a business letter. Test your knowledge of these rules by answering the questions below.

If you need a little help, go to Language Navigator and search for “business letters” to find our series of writing tips on this topic.

1. The pre-printed part of the letter that appears across the top margin and includes the name of the business is called the .

inside address

letterhead

addressee notation

2. Which example below shows the recommended way to write the date in a business letter?

01/06/2018

Friday, June 1st, 2018

June 1, 2018

3. Instructions such as “personal,” “confidential” or “registered” are usually written entirely in capitals. True or false?

true

false

4. What do we call the part of the letter that contains the receiver’s name and mailing address?

salutation

addressee notation

inside address

5. On the envelope, the receiver’s address should be written entirely in capitals, without commas or periods. True or false?

true

false

6. What is the correct notation to indicate the purpose of a letter?

Subject: Formal Notice

Attention: Formal Notice

Please Note: Formal Notice

7. Which answer illustrates the correct form for the salutation (greeting) in a business letter?

Dear D. J. Andrews:

Dear Mr. D. J. Andrews,

8. The body of the letter is followed by the complimentary close. Which of the complimentary closes below is correct?

Yours Truly:

Yours Truly,

Yours truly,

9. What abbreviation is used to indicate that a separate document accompanies the letter?

Enc.

Att.

10. What does the abbreviation “cc” indicate?

A copy of the letter has been filed.

A copy of the letter has been sent to the person(s) indicated.