east an inch and the right-hand at least a half inch. Of course if the
letter is short the margins will be wider. The top and bottom margins
should be wider than the side margins.

The body of the letter should begin at the same distance from the edge
as the first line of the inside address and the salutation.

All paragraphing should be indicated by indenting the same distances
from the margin--about an inch--or if the block system is used no
paragraph indentation is made but double or triple spacing between the
paragraphs indicates the divisions. If the letter is handwritten, the
spacing between the paragraphs should be noticeably greater than that
between other lines.

Never write on both sides of a sheet. In writing a business letter, if
the letter requires more than one page, use plain sheets of the same
size and quality without the letterhead. These additional sheets should
be numbered at the top. The name or initials of the firm or person to
whom the letter is going should also appear at the top of the sheets.
This letter should never run over to a second sheet if there are less
than three lines of the body of the letter left over from the first
page.

In the formal official letter, that is, in letters to or by government
officials, members of Congress, and other dignitaries, the most rigid
formality in language is observed. No colloquialisms are allowed and no
abbreviations.

[Illustration: Specimens of letterheads used for official stationery]

5. THE COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE

The complimentary close follows the body of the letter, about two or
three spaces below it. It begins about in the center of the page under
the body of the letter. Only the first word should be capitalized and a
comma is placed at the end. The wording may vary according to the degree
of cordiality or friendship. In business letters the forms are usually
restricted to the following:

Yours truly (or) Truly yours (not good form)
Yours very truly (or) Very truly yours
Yours respectfully (or) Respectfully yours
Yours very respectfully.

If the correspondents are on a more intimate basis they may use

Faithfully yours
Cordially yours
Sincerely yours.

In formal official letters the complimentary close is

Respectfully yours
Yours respectfully.

The informal social letter may close with

Yours sincerely
Yours very sincerely
Yours cordially
Yours faithfully
Yours grat