Luke C's Tips of Formatting Letters and Envelopes

We discussed this subject at length in Chapter 13 in the class textbook but it is a good idea to review the subject as it is very important. When searching for a job or communicating with peers in a current role, it is critical to use proper formatting for letters and envelopes to make a positive first impression.

There are a variety of types of letters that are used in the workplace. From thank you to rejection. Regardless of the type of letter a block style such as the letter above is an appropriate overall format. This includes an optional letterhead at the top, date, recipients address, salutation, body and closing phrase with signature. Everything should be aligned to the left as with the example above.

The body of the letter should include an introduction that sets up the point of the letter followed by supporting details. It is important as with any professional writing to stick to the point and avoid extra material that will distract the reader from the main point. Also, make sure to have a strong conclusion that reinforces the main topic!

I mentioned first impression earlier, and the aesthetic qualities of the letter and envelope can have a realizable impact on how the recipient views the content. Use media that is crisp, clean and consistent. Make sure the paper you use for the letter matches the envelope. For important documents that need signatures use a manila envelope so the document is not folded. The address on the envelope should be typed, not hand written for a formal document.

Although this video is a little on the boring side it is pretty good information on how to make a typed envelope on Word 2007. Enjoy!