Business letters: Letter styles

On this page

• Full block style
• Modified block style
• Semi-block style
• Additional information

Full block style

Full block style is the most common style for business letters because it is the simplest to set up. In full block style, nothing is indented. Every line begins at the left margin.

For an example of a letter in full block style, see the article Business letters: Model letter in recommended format.

Modified block style

Modified block style is a more traditional letter style. In modified block style, four elements begin at the centre of the page:

• the return address (if one is needed)
• the date
• the complimentary close
• the signature block

All the other lines begin at the left margin, including the first line of each body paragraph.

Semi-block style

A letter in semi-block style is laid out in the same way as in modified block style, with the addition of paragraph indentation.

In this very formal style, the first line of each body paragraph is indented 1.25 cm or 2.5 cm (one-quarter or one-half inch).

Additional information

• Correspondence and addresses – Guidelines and resources
• Business letters: Model letter in recommended format
• Business letters: Return address
• Business letters: Date
• Business letters: Complimentary close
• Business letters: Signature block