Fully blocked letter layout

This layout has become firmly established as the most popular way of setting our letters, fax messages, memos, reports – in fact all business communications. The main feature of fully blocked style is that all lines begin at the left-hand

margin.

Open punctuation is usually used with the fully-blocked layout. This means that no punctuation marks are necessary in the reference, date, inside address, opening and closing salutations. Of course essential punctuation must still be used in the text of the massage itself. However, remember to use commas minimally today; they should only be used when their omission would make the sense of the message unclear.

Consistency is important in layout and spacing of all documents. It is usual to leave just one clear line space between each section.

Most people agree that this layout is very attractive, easy to produce as well as businesslike.

Although fully blocked layout is now used by many organizations, some still prefer to adopt their own in-house style for document layout. Whichever layout you use for your business documents, the most important rule is consistency, i.e. ensuring that all documents are displayed in the same format.

VI. Answer the following questions.

1. There аrе a lot of styles of business letter. Is fully blocked style really more popular? Why ?

2. What are the integral parts of a business letter?

3. How much information should you include in your letter?

4. How long should your letter be?

5. What should you do if you are in doubt as to whether the woman you are writing to is single or married?

6. Why are you not supposed to abbreviate dates?

7. What is subject line (or attention line) for?

8. What should your signature tell about you to your addressee?

9. Why and when should you put abbreviation “Enc.” at the bottom of the letter?

VII. Give the correct salutation and complimentary close in each case.

1. Burke & Sons Ltd. Dear_________________________

Yours________________________

2. Sales Manager Dear________________________

BGW Electronics Ltd.

3. Mr A.L. Moon _____________________________

British Rails _____________________________

4. Ms Angela Box _____________________________

Gorton and Sons _____________________________

5. The Manager _____________________________

Lady Fair Fashion Ltd. _____________________________

6. Messrs. Hamilton and Jack- _____________________________

son _____________________________

7. The Secretary _____________________________

Pitton Miners’ Club _____________________________

Dear Peter

8. Peter Brown _____________________________