Layout is the systematic arrangement of information in a letter.
Defined as “the logical arrangement of information in a business letter. The layout can also be called as “format” of a business letter and involves various part of a letter in a logical manner.
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�FORMATS OF LETTER
COMPLETE BLOCK
MODIFIED BLOCK
SEMI BLOCK
SIMPLIFIED
INDENTED
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LAYOUTS
Complete Block Layout�
All elements except the printed letterhead are aligned to the left margin
Indentation is not required –easy to read, simple to draft
New paragraphs are indicated by skipping a line rather than indenting five spaces
Becoming more widely used
Follows open punctuation
To some it appears imbalanced
Modified Block Layout
Sender’s address, dateline, complimentary close, signature block are right aligned
No indentation
Outdated
Mixed punctuation
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SIMPLIFIED STYLE
Neither a salutation nor a closing
Subject line takes the place of salutation
Useful when the sender doesn’t have the recipient's contact name
When a letter is addressed to a company rather than an individual
When the gender is unknown
Does away with unneeded formality while maintaining a professional approach
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INDENTED FORMAT
Names, address & paragraphs of body are two to four spaces indented
Heading and Complimentary close are on the right side as in the modified Block