Social-business letters start with the salutation “Dear Person” and include the title or first name of the recipient. For example, “Dear Jordan” could mean “Dear Jordan,” while the standard business letter always uses a comma after the recipient’s name, and the salutation is always followed by a colon. Social-business letters are generally shorter than eight 1/2 by 11 inches, but should still have the recipient’s name and address.
A social-business letter should be brief, containing two or three paragraphs, and clearly convey the message. Be careful not to drag on, as the recipient will not read the entire letter. Start the letter by stating your purpose and indicating the occasion. Then, follow up with a thank-you, apologies for the loss, or an offer to help. When writing a social letter, leave enough room between paragraphs, and use a single space between paragraphs.
The font used for a business letter should be Times New Roman, size 12. However, some companies prefer a particular type of font, so you may want to experiment. In general, you should use Times New Roman when writing to conservative companies, and choose a different font if writing to a liberal company. In addition, remember to use punctuation after the salutation and the closing.
A business letter can include a signature. Your signature can be as simple as your name, or it can contain your credentials, certifications, or other identifying information. The way you sign your letter depends on the relationship you have with the recipient. In the case of a cover letter, you should state why you are applying for the job and why you want to work for that particular company.