Letters

Block Letter Format All parts flush left margin Professional font Use when courtesy elements are important

Advantages/Disadvantages +Easy to set up & follow -Can appear unbalanced -Some traditional and international readers might not like this format Best used for Traditional letters where courtesy elements are important

Semiblock Format Align with a vertical line at the Center of the Page Date line Method of Transmission Reference Line Complimentary Close Signature Block Everything Else aligned flush left

Advantages/Disadvantages + Balanced Look on page -More Difficult to Set-up Best Used for International, Traditional, Executive, and Social Letters

Simplified Format All parts flush left No salutation or complimentary closing Subject line and Writer’s Name in all Caps Dash between Writer’s Name and Title

Advantages/Disadvantages + Easy Setup - Impersonal Best Used for Reminders, Bulletins, & Mass Mailings Not Appropriate for High Level or Persuasive Letters

Good News Letter Organization Frontload Your Message Build Goodwill Use personal tone Complimentary openings and closings Avoid negative words Offer Help Focus on Benefits Use attachments/enclosures for reader’s benefit Make any response easy for the reader

Bad News Letters/BEBE Formula Buffer Open with neutral statement re the purpose of the message Explanation Build toward the bad news Bad News (plus Alternative) Give the Bad News, Focus on Alternative or Compromise Exit (as positively as possible)

Persuasive Letters/AIDA Formula Attention Creative openings to hook reader Interest and Desire Develop appeals Action Make the reader take some sort of Action