1. Letters

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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)

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