Block Style Business Letter

We provide this Block Style Business Letter template to help professionalize the way you are working. Our business and legal templates are regularly screened and used by professionals. If time or quality is of the essence, this ready-made template can help you to save time and to focus on the topics that really matter! 

The most common layout of a professional business letter is known as Block Format (or ‘Full block’). It is the easiest format to use and simplest to set up in your word processing program. Using this format, the entire letter from beginning to the end of the letter, including your contact information, the date, the employer’s contact information, the body of the letter, and the greeting and closing, signature, is all left-justified. Also, in block format, the content on the page is single-spaced, except for a double space between each paragraph (as well as a space above and below the date, above and below the salutation and signature). This gives a clean and professional look to your letter. The block format is perfect for a cover letter created to accompany a resume as part of a job application. Keep reading to learn more about block format cover letters and review examples and templates.

Another commonly used letter format is known as modified block format, in which the body of the letter and the sender's and recipient's addresses are left justified and single-spaced. However, the difference with a Block format, is that in Modified Block format, the date and closing, have a tab to the center point of the letter, and that is where you begin to type. It is more suitable to use this format on less formal occasions.

The last, and less commonly used letter style is Semi-Block format. It is like the modified block style except that each paragraph is indented instead of left-justified. Semi-block letters are like 'Modified block letters, with the exception the paragraphs are indented. Modified semi-block business letters are considered a little less formal than full-block letters. 

Keep in mind that different organizations have different format requirements for their professional communication. While the examples provided contain common elements for the basic business letter (genre expectations), the format of your business letter may need to be flexible to reflect variables like letterheads and templates. Our examples are merely guiding.

If the format matters a lot to the recipient, for example in the Financial or Legal work field, consider consulting a local business writing handbook or do a query on a search engine on the internet, to find more details about the common best practices. if you have any questions or doubt the accuracy of this document for your situation. Here are some other tips for writing a proper professional letter.