The document discusses three common formats for professional letters: block format, modified block format, and indented block format. Block format has all lines and paragraphs left aligned. Modified block format is the same but the date and signature are not left aligned. Indented block format indents the first line of each paragraph in addition to the date and signature. The document also notes that professional letters generally follow a specific structure and have a simple, clean overall look.

1. Common Formats of
Professional Letters
BLOCK FORMAT
MODIFIED BLOCK FORMAT
INDENTED BLOCK FORMAT

2. BLOCK
FORMAT
All lines are
begin on the left
side
All paragraphs
are aligned on
the left and right
sides
SLH1013 - Professional English Friday, October 05, 2012

3. MODIFIED
BLOCK
FORMAT
All lines are
begin on the left
side, except for
date and
signature.
All paragraphs
are aligned on
the left and right
sides
SLH1013 - Professional English Friday, October 05, 2012

4. INDENTED
BLOCK
FORMAT
All lines are
begin on the left
side, except for
date and
signature, and
the first line of
each paragraph.
All paragraphs
are aligned on
the left and right
sides
SLH1013 - Professional English Friday, October 05, 2012

5. STRUCTURE OF A
PROFESSIONAL
LETTER
A professional
letter usually
follows a specific
structure with
each part
arranged in a
strict hierarchy.
The overall
“look” is simple
and clean.
SLH1013 - Professional English Friday, October 05, 2012