Writing Guides
Business Letters: Format
The Complimentary Close
- The complimentary close is placed two spaces below the last line of a letter's body.
- Customary expressions used to close a formal business letter include Thank you, Sincerely, Sincerely yours, and Yours truly. Less formal expressions such as Regards, Best regards, and Best wishes should be used only when the writer is addressing a business associate that is also a friend.
- When the expression contains two words, such as Thank you, only the first word receives an initial upper case letter
- A comma follows all forms of a complimentary close.
- Allow four spaces between the complimentary close and the typed version of the writer's full name. The space between is reserved for a handwritten signature. The writer's job position or title should appear directly below his or her name.
- The writer's signature should be identical to the printed version except in those situations where the recipient is also a friend, in which case a first name only is fine.