A formal letter follows a specific 8-part structure arranged in a strict order: 1) Letterhead, 2) Heading, 3) Date, 4) Salutation, 5) Body, 6) Closing, 7) Signature, and 8) End Matters. The overall look of a professional letter is simple and clean. An example letter is shown missing the required date field.

1. STRUCTURE
THE STRUCTURE OF A FORMAL LETTER
SLH1013 - Professional English
Tuesday, October 29, 2013

2. STRUCTURE: Formal Letter
Use a specific structure, in strict order:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Letterhead - optional
Heading – required
Date - required
Salutation - required
Body - required
Closing - required
Signature - required
End-matters - optional
SLH1013 - Professional English
Tuesday, October 29, 2013

3. PROFESSIONAL
LETTER:
STRUCTURE
A professional
letter follows a
specific structure
with each part
arranged in a
strict hierarchy.
The overall
“look” is simple
and clean.
SLH1013 - Professional English
Tuesday, October 29, 2013

4. Use Your Brain Power
Guess what’s wrong
with this letter?
SLH1013 - Professional English
Tuesday, October 29, 2013

5. Letterhead
Professional Letter
STRUCTURE
Raise your hand
(silently) if you
know what’s
lacking in this
letter.
10
09
08
07
06
05
04
03
02
01
00
Heading
Salutation
Body
TIME
REMAINING
Closing
Signature
End Matters
SLH1013 - Professional English
Tuesday, October 29, 2013

6. Letterhead
Professional Letter
STRUCTURE
Raise your hand
(silently) if you
know what’s
lacking in this
letter.
10
09
08
07
06
05
04
03
02
01
00
Heading
Salutation
No Date
Body
TIME
REMAINING
Closing
Signature
End Matters
SLH1013 - Professional English
Tuesday, October 29, 2013