example business letter essay

Examples of business letter format.

In this section, you will find many instructional materials we’ve developed for our Writing Center teaching.

However, there are limitations to these materials. Assignments vary, and different instructors want different things from student writers. Therefore, the advice here may or may not apply to your writing situation.

Finally, handouts can give only a fraction of the customized guidance that an individual conference with a Writing Center instructor can provide. If you have questions about the information in our handouts, please make an appointment to see a Writing Center instructor.

5 Hill Street Madison, Wisconsin 53700

March 15, 2005

Ms. Helen Jones President Jones, Jones & Jones 123 International Lane Boston, Massachusetts 01234

Dear Ms. Jones:

Ah, business letter format-there are block formats, and indented formats, and modified block formats . . . and who knows what others. To simplify matters, we’re demonstrating the block format on this page, one of the two most common formats. For authoritative advice about all the variations, we highly recommend The Gregg Reference Manual, 9th ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001), a great reference tool for workplace communications. There seems to be no consensus about such fine points as whether to skip a line after your return address and before the date: some guidelines suggest that you do; others do not. Let’s hope that your business letter succeeds no matter which choice you make!

When you use the block form to write a business letter, all the information is typed flush left, with one-inch margins all around. First provide your own address, then skip a line and provide the date, then skip one more line and provide the inside address of the party to whom the letter is addressed. If you are using letterhead that already provides your address, do not retype that information; just begin with the date. For formal letters, avoid abbreviations where possible.

Skip another line before the salutation, which should be followed by a colon. Then write the body of your letter as illustrated here, with no indentation at the beginnings of paragraphs. Skip lines between paragraphs.

After writing the body of the letter, type the closing, followed by a comma, leave 3 blank lines, then type your name and title (if applicable), all flush left. Sign the letter in the blank space above your typed name. Now doesn’t that look professional?

John Doe Administrative Assistant

Indented Form

15 March 2005

Ah, business letter format–there are block formats, and indented formats, and modified block formats . . . and who knows what others. To simplify matters, we’re demonstrating the indented format on this page, one of the two most common formats. For authoritative advice about all the variations, we highly recommend The Gregg Reference Manual, 9th ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001), a great reference tool for workplace communications. There seems to be no consensus about such fine points as whether to skip a line after your return address and before the date: some guidelines suggest that you do; others do not. Let’s hope that your business letter succeeds no matter which choice you make!

If you are using the indented form, place your address at the top, with the left edge of the address aligned with the center of the page. Skip a line and type the date so that it lines up underneath your address. Type the inside address and salutation flush left; the salutation should be followed by a colon. For formal letters, avoid abbreviations.

Indent the first line of each paragraph one-half inch. Skip lines between paragraphs.

Instead of placing the closing and signature lines flush left, type them in the center, even with the address and date above, as illustrated here. Now doesn’t that look professional?

Academic and Professional Writing

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How to Write Business Letter Essay: Elements, Fonts, Examples, Templates, Tips

Business letters are a crucial form of communication in the business world. Whether it's to send important information, make a request, or express appreciation, a well-written business letter can achieve significant results. However, it is equally important to ensure that the business letter is properly formatted. In this article, we will take a closer look at the different parts of a business letter template, the correct format, and the steps on how to format a business letter effectively. We will also provide you with a free template and an example for your reference.

Before we delve into the proper formatting of a business letter, it is essential to understand the different parts of a business letter.

Parts of Business Letter

Sender Information

The sender's information is the sender's name, address, and contact details. This information should be placed at the top of the letter, aligned to the left-hand side of the page. It is important to ensure that the sender's information is accurate and up-to-date. If there are any changes to the sender's details, it is essential to update them immediately.

The date should be included below the sender's information and aligned with the left-hand margin. The date is an essential part of the letter as it provides a reference point for the recipient. It is crucial to ensure that the date is accurate and corresponds with the date the letter was sent.

Recipient Information

The recipient's information consists of the recipient's name, title, and address. This information should be placed below the date, aligned with the left-hand margin. It is essential to ensure that the recipient's information is accurate and up-to-date. If there are any changes to the recipient's details, it is essential to update them immediately.

Salutation/Greeting

The salutation or greeting is the opening of the letter. It is usually addressed to the recipient and must be polite and professional. So, how to address a business letter properly?

If you know the name of the recipient, use their name; if not, use 'Dear Sir/Madam' or 'To Whom It May Concern.' The salutation sets the tone for the rest of the letter, so it is essential to get it right.

The body is the primary part of the letter and usually consists of three to four paragraphs. It should be well-structured and convey your message clearly and concisely. In this section, you can explain the reason for writing the letter, provide details, and request the action required. It is essential to ensure that the body of the letter is well-written and free from errors. The body of the letter is where you can make your case, so it is important to make it persuasive and convincing.

For example, if you are writing a business letter essay to a potential client, you might want to highlight your company's strengths and explain how your product or service can benefit them. You could also provide examples of how your product or service has helped other clients in the past.

On the other hand, if you are writing a business letter to a supplier, you might want to provide details about the products or services you require and explain any specific requirements you have. You could also provide information about your company's payment terms and any other relevant details.

The closing must be polite and formal. It should match the tone of the salutation and the rest of the letter. Examples of business letter closings include 'Sincerely,' 'Yours sincerely,' or 'Best regards.'

The closing is an essential part of the letter as it signals the end of the communication. It is important to choose an appropriate business letter closing that reflects the nature of the letter and the relationship between the sender and the recipient.

The letter should end with a signature, followed by the sender's name, title, and company name. The signature is a sign of authenticity and indicates that the letter has been written and sent by the sender. It is important to ensure that the signature is legible and matches the name of the sender.

Overall, according to our experts, a well-written and properly formatted business letter can be an effective tool for communication in the business world. By following the guidelines for each part of the letter, you can ensure that your message is clear, concise, and professional.

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Business Letter Format and Font Notes

Block format.

Normally, senders should stick to the block letter format. It is the most widespread layout of this type of document (but not the only possible one). It suggests that there should be a double space between paragraphs and a single space between the lines. All the text should be left-justified.

Keep in mind the correct formatting and font to ensure that your letter looks professional and is easily readable.

Block Format - The block letter format remains the commonly used layout for most business letters. It involves double-spacing between paragraphs and single-spacing within the lines while aligning all text to the left.

Modified Block Format - In the modified block formats, the date and closing are centered. The body of the letter, along with the sender's and recipient's addresses, is positioned on the left. Lines within the letter are single-spaced. Although less frequently used than the block format, it offers an alternative approach.

Semi-Block Format - Another option for creating an effective business letter format example is the semi-block format. It closely resembles the modified block format but differs in the indentation of paragraphs instead of left-justifying them.

Please note that these examples provide general guidance, and individual companies may have their own templates and letterhead designs.

For users of Microsoft Office 2000, the Letter Wizard feature can be helpful for creating business letters. Accessed through the Tools button, the Letter Wizard offers templates for semi-block, modified block, and block form letters. By inputting the necessary addresses and data, the Wizard will automatically format them. However, it may be less precise and may not meet the needs of experienced professionals. Therefore, when composing a business letter, it is advisable to consult additional formatting guidelines to ensure accuracy and professionalism.

Font and Font Size - Choosing the right font and font size is crucial in creating a professional-looking business letter. The preferred fonts for a business letter are Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, and the font size should be 12 points. These fonts are easy to read and are widely accepted in the business world.

According to our MBA essay writing service , it is essential to avoid using fancy or decorative fonts that may be difficult to read, as this can make your letter appear unprofessional. Additionally, using a font size smaller than 12 points can make your letter challenging to read, especially for older readers.

Margins and Line Spacing - The margins and line spacing are also essential elements of a well-formatted business letter. The standard margins for a business letter essay are one inch from all four sides of the page. This margin ensures that your letter looks neat and well-organized.

Line spacing should be one and a half, and the spacing between paragraphs should be double-spaced. This line spacing ensures that your letter is easy to read and that there is enough space between paragraphs for the reader to distinguish between different sections of the letter.

Alignment - The alignment of your letter is also crucial in creating a professional-looking document. The text of a business letter should be aligned to the left, except for the sender's information, which should be aligned to the right.

Aligning the text to the left ensures that the letter is easy to read and that the text flows smoothly. Aligning the sender's information to the right ensures that it stands out and is easy to find.

How to Write a Business Letter Essay

Writing a business letter is an essential skill that every professional should master. A well-written business letter can make a lasting impression on the recipient and help you achieve your goals. In this section, we will walk you through the seven steps on how to write a business letter format efficiently.

Step 1: Determine the Purpose

The first step in writing a business letter, including top interview questions, is to determine the purpose of the letter. Ask yourself what specific information you are seeking or what key points you wish to address during the interview. Identifying the purpose of the letter will enable you to structure your questions effectively and ensure a productive and informative interview session.

Step 2: Research the Recipient's Information

Before you start writing the letter, you need to ensure that you have the correct recipient's information. This includes the recipient's name, job title, company name, and address. Double-check the spelling of the recipient's name and the address to avoid any mistakes that could lead to the letter being sent to the wrong person.

Step 3: Plan the Content

Once you have identified the purpose of the letter and gathered the recipient's information, you can start planning the content of the letter. Jot down the primary points you want to convey and organize them logically. Consider the tone of the letter and ensure that it is appropriate for the recipient and the purpose of the letter.

It's also essential to consider the structure of the letter. Much like an essay on ethics , a typical business letter consists of an opening, a body, and a closing. The opening should be brief and introduce the purpose of the letter. The body should provide the details of the message, and when closing a business letter, you should summarize the main points with any necessary follow-up information.

Step 4: Write the Letter

Using the business letter format and the information you have gathered, write the letter in a clear, concise, and professional manner. Start with a business letter salutation, such as 'Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],' and be sure to use the appropriate title. In the body of the letter, provide the necessary details and information to support your purpose. Use a professional tone and avoid using slang or jargon that the recipient may not understand.

Step 5: Review and Edit

After you have written the letter, it's essential to review and edit it. Read through the letter to ensure that it is well-structured and that there are no spelling or grammatical errors. Edit the letter to make it more concise and persuasive. Consider the recipient's perspective and ensure that the letter addresses their needs and concerns.

Step 6: Print and Sign the Letter

Once you have reviewed and edited the letter, it's time to print it out and sign it in the space provided at the end. A handwritten signature adds a personal touch and shows that you have taken the time to sign the letter personally.

Step 7: Send the Letter

Finally, it's time to send the letter through the appropriate channels, such as email or postal mail. Ensure that the letter reaches the intended recipient and that you have followed up if necessary.

By following these seven steps, you can write an effective business letter essay that achieves your goals and leaves a lasting impression on the recipient.

How to Format a Business Letter Essay: 6 Tips

Writing a business letter can be a daunting task, but with the right format and tone, it can be a breeze. Here are some valuable tips on how to format a business letter essay effectively.

Use Clear and Concise Language

When writing a business letter, it is important to use a language that is easy to read and understand. Avoid using complex words and jargon that may confuse the reader. Keep your sentences short and to the point. This will help you get your message across quickly and effectively.

Maintain a Professional Tone

A business letter is a formal document, so it is important to maintain a professional tone. Just like when preparing a formal speech, you need to avoid using slang or informal language. Use a polite and respectful tone , even if you are writing to someone you know well. So, whether you need help with writing a formal email business letter send us your request. We ensure that it adheres to the appropriate tone, using polite and respectful language.

Ensure that the Letter is Well-Structured

A well-structured letter is easy to follow and understand. Use paragraphs to break up your text, and ensure that each paragraph has a clear and concise message. Use headings and subheadings to make it easy for the reader to navigate the letter.

Use Bullet Points or Numbering

Bullet points or numbering can make your letter essay more readable. Use them to highlight important points or to list items in a series. This will help the reader to quickly identify the key messages in your letter.

Use an Appropriate and Readable Font

The font you use can have a big impact on the readability of your letter. Use a font that is easy to read, such as Arial or Times New Roman. Avoid using fonts that are too small or too fancy, as they can be difficult to read.

Proofread the Letter Multiple Times

When you're done, make sure to send a completely polished business letter. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and ensure that your message is clear and concise. Ask someone else to read the letter and provide feedback, as a fresh pair of eyes can often catch mistakes that you may have missed.

By following these tips on how to create a business letter format, you can ensure that your business letter is well-formatted and effective. Remember to keep your tone professional and your message clear, and you will be sure to make a great impression on your reader.

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Business Letter Template

Here is a business letter format example, which might be useful before starting writing. And if you feel hesitant or unsure about writing on your own, you can always rely on our services.

[Your Name]

[Your Title/Position]

[Your Company/Organization]

[Your Address]

[City, State, ZIP]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number]

[Recipient's Name]

[Recipient's Title/Position]

[Recipient's Company/Organization]

[Recipient's Address]

Dear [Recipient's Name],

Subject Line: [Brief description of the purpose of the letter]

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to [state the purpose of the letter] and explore the possibility of [mention specific request, proposal, or opportunity]. I have carefully considered [briefly explain the rationale or context behind your request/proposal/opportunity].

[Provide additional details or supporting information related to your request/proposal/opportunity. This section may vary depending on the nature of your letter, but ensure it is clear and concise.]

Moreover, I am confident that [state how your request/proposal/opportunity will benefit the recipient or their organization]. By [mention the potential outcomes or advantages], we can [describe the positive impact it could have on both parties].

I would be delighted to discuss this matter further with you or any relevant representative from your organization. Please feel free to contact me at [your phone number or email address] to schedule a meeting or address any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

[Your Full Name]

Business Letter Example

Here is a business letter essay example prepared by our essay writers for hire , who are experts in this field.

Sales Manager

ABC Corporation

123 Main Street Anytown, USA 12345

[email protected]

(555) 123-4567 June 6, 2023

Emily Thompson

Procurement Manager

XYZ Company

456 Elm Avenue Otherville, USA 67890

Dear Ms. Thompson,

Subject: Proposal for Supplying Office Stationery

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to explore the possibility of supplying office stationery to XYZ Company. After carefully considering your organization's requirements and reviewing our extensive range of high-quality office supplies, I believe that ABC Corporation can fulfill your stationery needs efficiently and affordably.

ABC Corporation has been a trusted supplier of office products for over 10 years. We pride ourselves on delivering top-notch customer service and providing a wide variety of office stationery, including pens, paper, notepads, sticky notes, and other essential items. Our commitment to quality and timely delivery has earned us an excellent reputation in the industry.

By partnering with ABC Corporation for your office stationery requirements, you can benefit from our competitive pricing, bulk order discounts, and reliable inventory management system. Additionally, our dedicated account managers ensure personalized attention and prompt resolution of any issues that may arise.

We understand the importance of having a steady supply of office stationery to ensure uninterrupted workflow and productivity. Our efficient distribution network enables us to meet your requirements promptly, and our inventory management system helps prevent stockouts or excess inventory, ensuring cost-effectiveness for your organization.

I would be delighted to discuss your office stationery needs in more detail and provide a customized proposal that aligns with your requirements. Please feel free to contact me at (555) 123-4567 or via email at [email protected]. I am available at your convenience to schedule a meeting or address any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you for considering ABC Corporation as your preferred office stationery supplier. We value the opportunity to serve your organization and look forward to the possibility of establishing a mutually beneficial business relationship.

John Davis Sales Manager ABC Corporation

Writing a business letter may initially appear overwhelming, but by understanding the structure and necessary steps involved, it can become a straightforward task. Whether you need to write a business letter our team is here to assist you. Trust our expertise to help you make a lasting impact with your correspondence or any research paper you may require.

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How to write a business letter: Formatting guide + template

There may be no more comically vague term in the entire business world than the word "business." It means so many things that it really means nothing, and yet you're reading this right now because you probably have a specific business-related need.

You might argue that any letter composed in a business setting could be considered a business letter—and you'd be more or less correct. But with such an impossibly wide and unspecific range of applications, how are you supposed to do business lettering right?

Whatever purpose you have for engaging in this epistolary practice, there are certain rules, expectations, and formatting specs you need to know. Here's how to write a business letter of just about any type in a way that gets the job done.

What is a business letter?

These communications usually follow standardized formats and include expected elements like formal salutations, signatures, contact information, and a body of text focusing on one specific business purpose. It won't likely get you fired if you don't rigidly follow all these rules, but abiding by format expectations can reduce variables, keep your messaging professional, get your message across clearly, and even enable automation .

Types of business letters

There are a lot of different types of business letters because a lot of business things happen at businesses. That's just business facts.

But there are a handful of typical business letter purposes and structures for use cases, ranging from sales to hiring to procurement. Here are some of the most common ones. 

Sales letter: Sales teams use these to pitch a product or service to potential customers.

Business inquiry: This letter is a formal way to ask a company for more information about their products, services, or job openings.

Request for information: Called an RFI for short, this is used to gather detailed information about potential vendors' products or services.

Cover letter: This general introduction letter summarizes an attached document like a resume or job application.

Offer letter: A hiring company sends this to successful job applicants to formalize the hire and outline the details of the position.

Letter of recommendation: A more senior professional who knows you sends this with your job application to get the hiring committee hyped to hire you.

Acknowledgment letter: You can use this boilerplate letter to let someone know you've received something from them.

Letter of resignation: A more formal way to say "I'm quitting," this gives HR dated documentation of your timeline and possibly rationale for leaving.

Parts of a business letter

While the details will vary pretty widely depending on what you're writing it for, there are four essential parts of a business letter that will almost always be there: heading, salutation, body, and sign-off. Here's what goes into each.

These basic details should open any business letter. They'll generally be left-justified at the top of the document, listing:

Your return address

Your contact information

The date the letter was/will be sent

Recipient's address (optional)

In some cases—particularly if you're sending a physical letter to a company—it can be helpful to include the recipient's address in the heading as well. In the digital age, it's not as important since you'll likely send this as an email or attachment. When in doubt, it doesn't hurt to include it, as it can also show you've done your homework. 

Letters don't usually have big title headers labeling them as something generic like "Business inquiry" or "Business letter." But if you're writing one for a well-defined purpose for documentation, like a letter of resignation or offer letter, you could consider it.

2. Salutation

Below your header, you can't just jump right into requesting a quote or quitting a job—you've got to greet the reader. This will go on its own line, equidistant from the heading to the body.

In a business context, you want to be formal but not stilted. "Hey!" won't be taken seriously, while "Greetings, Sir" comes across like an alien trying to act like a human. 

"Dear _____," is always a safe choice. Fill in the recipient's full name or replace their first name with a title like "Dr." or "Professor." Always use a name if you can find one. If you can't, use a generalized stand-in like "Dear [company name/department] hiring committee" or "Dear [company name] board of directors."

When in doubt, you could do worse than "To whom it may concern," but it's a little on the impersonal side and should be avoided if possible.

If the heading is the table and the salutation is the plate, the body of the business letter is the big steaming scoop of casserole. This is where you make your case, ask your question, or shoot your shot. This usually takes up the largest portion of the letter, which kind of muddies my analogy.

Body sections can be as short as one sentence—something like "We have received your request and will respond within two business days." But in most cases, they'll be upwards of a few paragraphs. Again, there are no rules for the number of paragraphs. But for longer messages, it can help to map out three:

Paragraph 1: Greet the reader, introduce yourself, and state the purpose of your letter.

Paragraph 2: Follow up with the details of your message. Any background info they need to know or extra context can go here as you make your point.

Paragraph 3: Wrap it up with a quick summary of your main point, let them know what they can do next or what you'll do next, thank them, and close out.

Here are a few pro tips for writing this section:

Focus paragraphs. Each paragraph after the introduction should have one specific focus. Bonus points if you can convey what each paragraph is about in the first sentence.

Be concise. Most professionals have a lot on their plates (to bring the analogy back). Stick to the point, and only include details that are absolutely necessary in the context of the letter.

Adapt the voice. Business communication should be formal and polite but not stilted or effusive. However, if the company you're writing to has a very clear voice and you're writing for a personal matter (e.g., applying for a job), consider adapting your voice to match theirs.

Close it out. Wrap up the body with a conclusion paragraph that succinctly summarizes everything you just said in a couple of sentences.

Next steps. Make sure your recipient knows what to do once they've finished reading. Include actions ("See attached…"), requests ("Please let me know…"), expectations ("I look forward to your response"), or suggestions ("Please consider…").

4. Sign-off

Once you've made your point, all that's left is to stick the landing and get out of there. Every business letter should have a closing section that shows you're finished and gives the recipient clarity on next steps.

Sign-off: Like "Dear" in the salutation, "Sincerely" is a safe sign-off to follow the body with. Depending on the context and familiarity, alternatives like "Best" or "Gratefully" can also work, but this isn't somewhere you want to take risks.

Signature: In the digital age, we don't hand-sign many non-legally binding documents, but if possible, it's a good idea to include one beneath your sign-off. For physical letters, sign it here. For digital ones, consider adding a signature by drawing or typing in a cursive font.

Typed name: Since most people's signatures are borderline unreadable, type up your name below the signature. This leaves no question as to who you are and how to spell your name.

Enclosures: Lastly, if you have any enclosed documents accompanying the letter, don't forget to include them.

How to write a business letter

So you know what a business letter is, what goes into it, and how to structure it. Now it's time to write it. Here's how to write a business letter for just about any occasion in six steps.

1. Identify your purpose

Before you write a word, you should have a clear purpose for your letter. If it doesn't fall into a neat category of letter types, see if you can at least summarize your purpose in one sentence.

Once you have a defined purpose, translate it into words you can inject into your first body paragraph. Your purpose should encompass your needs, who you need to communicate those needs to, and why that person is relevant to those needs.

2. Find a contact

Every letter needs a recipient. While you can employ the generic "To whom it may concern," that lack of specificity also signals to the recipient that you're not invested enough to know who you're talking to.

Before you get started, try to find the contact you need. Look to mastheads, contact pages, staff listings, or About Us pages for listings of personnel by role. Or, have a bot do it for you. AI sales assistant tools like contact crawlers can drag the internet for relevant contacts in a matter of seconds.

3. Follow a consistent format

Business letter formatting should be like underwear: foundational but unnoticed. If the reader is thinking about your formatting, you've probably done something wrong.

The key to formatting is consistency. Maintain the same font, size, spacing, and margins throughout the document. When in doubt, left-justify all the text, but you can also consider these professional letter format options:

Block: Everything is left-justified with no additional indents to the first lines of paragraphs. Instead, you'll have an extra space between paragraphs. To avoid huge white spaces, you'll want to maintain 1"-1.5" paragraph spacing—ideally 1" or 1.15". This is a can't-miss standard option.

Modified block: A variation on block formatting, this one's a bit more dynamic. Start with block formatting, but add a twist: move non-paragraph elements like the heading, sign-off, and signature to the right margin. It's a small difference but a more visually engaging one.

Semi-block: Like block formatting, everything is left-justified in this format. The difference is that new paragraphs have indented first lines, generally 0.5". Since this visually differentiates new paragraphs, you should cut out any additional spaces between paragraphs. Keep this one at 1.5"-2" paragraph spacing, ideally double, to promote readability. This is a more formal option.

4. Write with intention

You'll spend most of your time in the body section, and that's where you'll really drive your point home. Every paragraph should contribute to the purpose you identified from the outset, and every word should advance your goal. 

As you write your body paragraphs, it's crucial to maintain a consistent, professional tone. Keep it in the second person—since you're writing to an individual, address them as "you" when you need to refer to them.

Not sure how to get your tone right? You can always try using an AI text generator or chatbot to help out by:

Writing an effective introduction

Turning your rough ideas into full letter bodies

Giving you new phrasing options

Rephrasing your own words into a different tone

Adding humor or other personal touches

Giving you suggestions for improvement

5. Keep it short

This goes for your paragraphs and your letter as a whole. No one wants to sift through huge blocks of text to get to the point of a letter they know has an actionable intention.

There's no hard-and-fast rule here—it's really more of a feel. But generally try to limit paragraphs to four to six lines. If possible, keep the entire letter to one side of one page. 

If you're sending your letter by email or webform, compose it in a text editor like a Google Doc first. This should give you access to more formatting features and a visualization of what fits on one page.

6. Copy edit

Do I believe that meaning is fluid and grammar is a subjective construct? Yes and yes. Do I believe business letters should be as grammatically sound as possible? Also yes.

Your letter may not have to have 100% perfect grammar and formatting in order to communicate your message effectively, but each mistake is like another ding in your authority armor. You can try composing your letter in or running it through one of the many writing or editing apps on the market. While Word and Google Docs have their own native spelling/grammar checkers, these AI-driven applications can pick up on much more nuanced linguistic quirks and even suggest clearer phrasing alternatives.

Business letter format example

By now, you may be wondering what a business letter looks like in practice. More specifically, you may be wondering what an AI-generated RFI about Guy Fieri's free Food Network cooking classes looks like. Incredibly, that's exactly what I've got for you in this very section.

For reference, I used standard block formatting.

Business letter template

This simple business letter template should give you the foundation you need for just about any use case. Just replace the text with your information, delete the sections you don't need, copy edit, and you're ready to go.

Here are a few additional tips for customizing it:

Font: We opted for a Zapier-style font, which can suit more casual digital business messaging. But for an even more formal look, opt for the traditional Times New Roman.

Format: This is the standard block format , but feel free to adjust to modified block or the more traditional semi-block.

Date: This should be the date sent, not necessarily the date you start the draft.

Recipient contact information: Exclude this if it's not available or relevant.

Enclosures: Exclude this if you're not enclosing any additional documents.

How to write a business letter with automation

Now that you know how to write a business letter, it's time to throw in a little automation to make it even easier. By using Zapier 's no-code automations, you can build your own custom business letter workflows that combine your favorite applications.

For example, you can create and autopopulate a Google Docs template straight from the other apps you use. Here are a few other ideas to get you started.

Save new Google Docs documents to OneDrive

Automatically create a Google Docs document every week

Send email via Gmail when there is a new Google Document

Create new Google Docs before a Google Calendar event

Zapier is the leader in workflow automation—integrating with 6,000+ apps from partners like Google, Salesforce, and Microsoft. Use interfaces, data tables, and logic to build secure, automated systems for your business-critical workflows across your organization's technology stack. Learn more .

Business letter FAQ

How do you write a simple business letter.

Here's how to write a simple business letter:

Put your name and address in the top-left corner.

Below that, type the full date.

Follow that with the recipient's contact information.

Start the message with a salutation like "Dear [name]."

Open the message body by introducing yourself and the purpose of your letter.

Write as many paragraphs as you need, but try to keep it to one page.

Below the body, write a sign-off like "Sincerely," followed by your signature and then your typed name.

If enclosing documents, list enclosures below that.

What is the correct format for a business letter?

Most business letters have a block format. This has 1" margins on all sides, standard 12-point font, single or 1.15" spacing, a space between paragraphs with no first-line indentations, and left justification for all text.

How do you start a professional letter?

A professional letter should start with "Dear" followed by the recipient's full name. If the recipient has a title like "Dr.", include that as well. If you don't have a specific recipient, use "To whom it may concern." 

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Currently based in Albuquerque, NM, Bryce Emley holds an MFA in Creative Writing from NC State and nearly a decade of writing and editing experience. His work has been published in magazines including The Atlantic, Boston Review, Salon, and Modern Farmer and has received a regional Emmy and awards from venues including Narrative, Wesleyan University, the Edward F. Albee Foundation, and the Pablo Neruda Prize. When he isn’t writing content, poetry, or creative nonfiction, he enjoys traveling, baking, playing music, reliving his barista days in his own kitchen, camping, and being bad at carpentry.

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Business Letter Format With Free Template

Updated: Aug 22, 2022, 8:26pm

Table of Contents

When to use a business letter, 7 essential elements to include in a business letter, how to format a business letter, download free business letter template, business letter examples, writing an email business letter, frequently asked questions.

As straightforward as a business letter may initially seem, it can be a challenge to sit down and write one with the correct format. Since business letters are written by an organization or professional to another organization or individual for professional communication, it’s important to use an established business letter format to form a good first impression.

Keep reading to know the essential elements of a business letter, how to format it and tips for writing effective business letters. We’ve also provided a free template that can make drafting your letters easy.

A business letter is used by an organization or an individual for professional communication with other individuals or companies. Examples of business letters are job offer letters , sales letters, investor interest letters, resignation letters, business circulars, shareholder letters, letters of recommendation , etc.

Your Contact Address

If the contact address is already included in the letterhead, skip it. Otherwise, include these in your contact information:

• City, state, ZIP Code
• Phone number
• Email address

This is the date when you are writing the letter. If your contact information is included on the letterhead, your business letter starts with the date.

Recipient Address

The address should include:

The salutation that you use depends upon how familiar you are with the recipient.

Use “To whom it may concern” if you’re not sure about who will receive and read your letter.

If you know the recipient formally, use Dear [last name].

If you know the recipient informally, use the salutation Dear [first name].

Letter Body

This is the meat of the business letter. Use single line spacing for readability. You can use extra lines between paragraphs, after the salutation and above the closing salutation.

Closing Salutation or Valediction

Again, the closing salutation depends upon how formal or informal your relationship is with the recipient. Some of the most commonly used closing salutations in business  include:

• Kind regards
• All the best

Your Signature

You should always end with a handwritten signature even if the letter is typed and printed using a computer. Handwritten signatures help in establishing a rapport with the recipient even if this is your first communication. Always write your full name and title below the signature.

Optional Things To Include

If you are including any additional documents pertaining to the letter, make a list of those enclosures after your signature and name. If you are sending a sales letter, you may consider including a call to action (CTA) at the bottom of the letter.

A business letter must be formatted for clarity and ease of understanding. Here are some points to consider while formatting the letter:

• Block or indent. In the block format, all elements of the letter are left-aligned. But, if you want to use an indented format, right-align your address, date, closing salutation and signature. The rest of the elements will be left-aligned.
• Font. Use a professional font such as Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Helvetica, etc. The size must be from 10 to 12.
• Margins. A one-inch margin on all four sides of the page is the standard. You can increase it to one-and-a-quarter inches to differentiate it from other types of letters.
• Spacing. Use a single line for the body of the letter. Use extra lines after your address, date, recipient address and salutation. Also, leave an extra line before the closing salutation.

Business letter is a formal document and you are accountable for the information you pass in it. So you must be very intentional about its content and format. We have discussed this in detail in the article. Here are a few examples for your reference.

Here is an example of a business letter from Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab . The sample also specifies recommended margins and spacing for the letter.

This is a marketing letter example from GCF Global . Note that as CTA, the writer had provided multiple ways (contact number and email ID) to reach out to her. This makes it easier for the reader to respond.

If you have to send the business letter through email, you need to tweak the format a bit. For example, while the salutation, body and signature will remain the same, you will need to add the subject line to notify the recipient of the purpose of your email and you can include both links and attachments.

Here’s how a business letter via email differs:

• Add a subject line to include the topic you are writing about
• Your address and contact information should come below your signature
• Option to add links as well as attachments

Bottom Line

It’s not that difficult to write an effective business letter that gets you the desired results. Use the template shared here to ensure each section of your letter adheres to the appropriate style and format.

What are the seven parts of a business letter?

The seven parts of a business letter are: sender’s address, date, recipient address, salutation, body, closing salutation and signature. If you have documents attached with the letter, include a list of enclosures after the signature.

Why should I use a business letter format?

When you use a standard business letter format, it establishes your commitment to the recipient and forms a good first impression.

What is a business letter?

A business letter is a formal document used by companies for professional communication to other companies, employees and stakeholders.

What is the best font to use for a business letter?

When writing a standard business letter, the preferred fonts are either Times New Roman or Arial, especially if you are sending the letter to a conservative company. The preferred size of the type is 12. For a more modern or liberal company, you can be a little more creative in your font choice, but it should still be legible. Calibri, Verdana, Courier New, Cambria and Verdana are also possible options to consider.

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Kelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she is a Columnist at Inc. Magazine.

20 business letters, examples and tips

Creating a well-structured business letter can help you achieve an array of strategic objectives for your project or company. This blog will show you how to think about and improve your professional and business writing, and to create a variety of business letters to use for clients, customers, and prospects.

Summary/Overview

What all strong business letters have in common

According to Bill Birchard of the Harvard Business Review, the best business letters “ create an aha moment ” for the intended audience.

Doling out “sudden ‘pops’ of insight” that build on your well-told story keeps readers engaged and anticipating what’s next. Successful examples of business writing tend to share common core characteristics and competencies, and while utilizing proven formulas and templates to organize information is vital, it’s just one part of the equation. Thoughtful pacing and clear prose are also critical to a well-written business letter.

Consider the tips below when thinking out your business writing templates and objectives to create business letters that readers will find insightful and convincing.

Know your business, know your audience

Before getting started, gather proposal examples from your industry or your competitors. You want to be sure your proposal reflects the standards and approach common to your industry, but remember that even though you’re writing for business, your letter is still for a reading audience. Take the time to research and understand their experience, expectations, and needs.

Your business objective should guide how you approach your readers and write your letter. It’s the “why” for both you and your audience. When beginning your business letter, always ask yourself:

• What is your goal?
• What is needed to overcome the problem?
• How will the project support the business strategy?

Clarity is key, context is king

Relying on “business speak” might seem like an easy way to create an aura of authority when communicating with a business audience. However, there is a difference between good technical writing and the overuse of “jargon.”

Your audience will often have a strong technical background, and often want to read a clear connection to how your proposal or business letter helps accomplish their objective. Executives often look for input from technical experts before coming to a decision. Technical professionals will read your white paper, and it should be sufficiently detailed and fact-based for them to appreciate the content. In your business letter, technical-minded professionals will be seeking detailed and fact-based content to help guide their decisions.

However, you’ll need to “walk a fine line between high-level business ideas and on-the-ground technical details.” Your business letter should be accessible for business decision-makers like executives or department heads who hold a high-level understanding of the technical side of their business, but who may not be familiar with every bit of technical minutiae.

More than anything, context is vital to the people reading your letter. Through the entire experience, the reader of your business letter should know not only “the what,” but also “the why and how” of how your proposal helps them in their broader strategies and objectives. Follow these tips for making your case through a clear and contextually appropriate business letter:

• Be brief and convey only the essentials.
• Make it interesting, clear, and concise.
• Eliminate conjecture and minimize jargon.
• Describe your vision of the future.
• Demonstrate the value and benefits the project brings to the business.
• Ensure consistent style and readability.

Clean and functional design

A business letter can incorporate photography, charts, and infographics, but it is critical that all these elements be utilized to inform and not just to illustrate what can otherwise be read within your letter’s text. Business letter design should be clean and professional — with no filler!

Functionality is also key to demonstrating competence and building trust with your business audience. Your business letter should always be available as an easily accessible and downloadable PDF . The parts and sections of a business letter vary depending on your business needs and approach, but in all scenarios your letter will need to be easy to read and intuitively understandable by readers.

Tell your story

Be certain to write your business letter with an active voice and use concise sentences. According to the Harvard Business Review , “Most of the rules you learned in school —`Show, don’t tell’ or `Use the active voice’ — still hold.” Your prose should be clear, and your proposals easy to read, so don’t use excessive, overly descriptive language or too many adjectives. The flow of your business letter — the very story you are guiding your readers through — requires that you maintain their attention.

The Harvard Business review states:

“When you incorporate stories into your communications, big payoffs can result. Consider research that Melissa Lynne Murphy did at the University of Texas, looking at business crowdfunding campaigns. She found that study participants formed more-favorable impressions of the pitches that had richer narratives, giving them higher marks for entrepreneur credibility and business legitimacy. Study participants also expressed more willingness to invest in the projects and share infor­mation about them. The implication: No stories, no great funding success.”

Get to the point

At both the beginning and the end of your business letter, your audience should know why they are reading it and what they will get out of it. When taking on business writing, never forget what your reader needs most — the point.

If you are making a proposal, let them know exactly what you are proposing or offering, and what their options are. Consider presenting a variety of responses and solutions to your readers’ needs, teeing them up to make informed and empowered decisions based on your business letter.

Top examples of business letters and professional writing scenarios

Different strategies and objectives require varying approaches to creating your business letter. The different types of business letters below represent some of the common examples of business writing.

Executive summaries

Executive summaries begin with a concise encapsulation of the subject matter of your business letter or proposal. This summary should always contain the key takeaways and main ideas of your communication piece. The contents of an executive summary should always be entirely understandable and accessible to a non-technical audience.

As part of a longer or more complex business letter, it is often the first section of the piece, and the last written. It is a succinct summary of the entire business letter, conveying vital information and the end-to-end story to the reader.

Sales letter

A sales letter is one of the most basic and effective forms of direct marketing outreach. Applicable to many types of industries and businesses, this type of business letter plays a significant part in professional communication between companies and their prospects and clients, serving as an introduction to you and your company or product.

Sales letters tend to run the length of a single page, and respect strict formatting rules to make them as concise and approachable as possible. Common components of a sales letter include:

• Letterhead or sender’s address. Start with your letterhead or, if you’re not using one, your address.
• Recipient’s address. Address your letter to a specific person. Use the appropriate personal title, like “Mr.” or “Ms.” If appropriate, use the correct professional title, such as “Hon.” or “Commissioner.”
• Salutation. Use the personal title and last name of the recipient, or their full name if you’re unsure of their gender (“Dear Mr. Black” or “Dear Jamie Smith”). For professional titles, use the correct title and the last name (“Dear Dr. Jones”). If you personally know the recipient, you can use their first name (“Dear Jim”).
• Body. Make sure your letter is concise and to the point.
• Closing. Reiterate your main point and thank the recipient for their consideration. Close with a respectful salutation on a new line, such as “Sincerely yours,” followed by your signature and typed name.
• Enclosures or attachments. Whether a printed letter or a digital message, be sure to list any enclosed documents or attached files.

Request for proposal (RFP) documents

When you are the one who needs to hire a business or contractor for a project, you’ll need to create a request for proposal , widely known as an “RFP.”

To write a great RFP, you’ll need to include various types of important information about the specific needs of your company’s project. Your RFP should serve as an outline for potential contractors to review and should give them a good idea of the project’s scope so that they can create an effective proposal.

Some key inclusions of your RFP are:

• An introduction to your company and background information on the project
• The project goals and scope of services needed
• A deadline for receiving bids
• A timeline for when you expect to select a winning proposal
• What specific elements you would like included in the proposal
• Any specific challenges you’d like the contractors to solve
• Your estimated budget range for the project

White papers

Used across many industries, a white paper is a “persuasive essay that uses evidence, facts and reasoning to help a business audience understand a specific topic or particular problem.” They encourage target audiences like potential customers, donors, or business partners to consider approaching a challenge or problem in a recommended way, or to come to a specific conclusion in analyzing the subject matter covered. White papers are usually offered to a reading audience in the early or middle stages of a project or business cycle and are typically between 3,000 and 5,000 words in length.

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Business Communication  - How to Write a Formal Business Letter

Business communication  -, how to write a formal business letter, business communication how to write a formal business letter.

Business Communication: How to Write a Formal Business Letter

Lesson 7: how to write a formal business letter.

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How to write a formal business letter

Whenever you need to communicate with another company or share important news, business letters can present your message in a classic, polished style. Unlike internal memos, business letters are usually written from one company to another, which is why they’re so formal and structured . However, letters are also quite versatile, as they can be used for official requests, announcements, cover letters, and much more.

Despite the formality, letters can still have a friendly tone , especially because they include brief introductions before getting to the main point. Regardless of the tone you use in your letter, your writing should remain concise, clear, and easy to read.

Watch the video below to learn about formal business letters.

This lesson focuses on American business letters. Letters written in other parts of the world may have minor differences in formatting.

The structure of a business letter

The business letter’s precise structure is crucial to its look and readability. As you write your letter, you can follow the structure below to create an effective document.

• Opening : Include your mailing address, the full date (for example, July 30, 2017), and the recipient’s name, company, and address. Skip one line between your address, the date, and your recipient’s information. Don’t add your address if you’re using letterhead that already contains it.
• Salutation : Address the recipient using “Dear,” along with their title and last name, such as “Dear Mr. Collins” or “Dear Director Kinkade.” If you don’t know the recipient’s gender, use their full name, such as “Dear Taylor Dean.” Finally, be sure to add a colon to the end of the salutation.
• Body : In the first paragraph, introduce yourself and the main point of your letter. Following paragraphs should go into the details of your main point, while your final paragraph should restate the letter’s purpose and provide a call to action, if necessary.
• Closing : Recommended formal closings include “Sincerely” or “Yours truly.” For a more personal closing, consider using “Cordially” or “Best regards.” Regardless of what you choose, add a comma to the end of it.
• Signature : Skip four lines after the closing and type your name. Skip another line and type your job title and company name. If you’re submitting a hard copy, sign your name in the empty space using blue or black ink.
• Enclosures : If you’re including documents with this letter, list them here.

Another important part of the structure is the layout , which determines how the text is formatted. The most common layout for a business letter is known as block format , which keeps all text left-justified and single spaced, except for double spaces between the paragraphs. This layout keeps the letter looking clean and easy to read.

As stated in Business Writing Essentials , revision is a crucial part of writing. Review your letter to keep it concise, and proofread it for spelling and grammar errors. Once you’re finished writing, ask someone to read your letter and give you feedback , as they can spot errors you may have missed. Also make sure any enclosures are attached to your document and that any hard copies are signed.

After revising the content, consider the appearance of your letter. If you’re printing a hard copy, be sure to use quality paper. Also try using letterhead to give your document a more official look.

Example of a business letter

To see this lesson in action, let’s take a look at a polished business letter by reviewing the example below.

This letter looks great! The structure is perfect, and the text is left-justified and single spaced. The body is formal, friendly, and concise, while the salutation and closing look good. It also contains a handwritten signature, which means it’s ready to be submitted as a hard copy.

Knowing how to write a business letter will serve you well throughout your career. Keep practicing and studying it, and you’ll be able to communicate in a classic style.

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Sample Letters

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Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

If you are using letterhead, do not include the sender's address at the top of the letter; instead, begin with the date.

Block Format

123 Winner's Road New Employee Town, PA 12345

March 16, 2001

Ernie English 1234 Writing Lab Lane Write City, IN 12345

Dear Mr. English:

The first paragraph of a typical business letter is used to state the main point of the letter. Begin with a friendly opening, then quickly transition into the purpose of your letter. Use a couple of sentences to explain the purpose, but do not go in to detail until the next paragraph.

Beginning with the second paragraph, state the supporting details to justify your purpose. These may take the form of background information, statistics or first-hand accounts. A few short paragraphs within the body of the letter should be enough to support your reasoning.

Finally, in the closing paragraph, briefly restate your purpose and why it is important. If the purpose of your letter is employment related, consider ending your letter with your contact information. However, if the purpose is informational, think about closing with gratitude for the reader's time.

Lucy Letter

Modified Block Format

(Tab to center, begin typing) 123 Winner's Road New Employee Town, PA 12345

(Tab to center, begin typing) Sincerely,

(Tab to center, begin typing) Lucy Letter

Semi-Block Format

(Indent) The first paragraph of a typical business letter is used to state the main point of the letter. Begin with a friendly opening, then quickly transition into the purpose of your letter. Use a couple of sentences to explain the purpose, but do not go in to detail until the next paragraph.

(Indent) Beginning with the second paragraph, state the supporting details to justify your purpose. These may take the form of background information, statistics or first-hand accounts. A few short paragraphs within the body of the letter should be enough to support your reasoning.

(Indent) Finally, in the closing paragraph, briefly restate your purpose and why it is important. If the purpose of your letter is employment related, consider ending your letter with your contact information. However, if the purpose is informational, think about closing with gratitude for the reader's time.

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Expository Writing- The Business Letter

Yesterday we looked at the types of expository writing that are present in the CSEC English A 2018-2023 syllabus . 

A Letter Defined

A letter is a written correspondence between two persons or a person and a company or between two companies. Letters can be formal or informal. Informal letters are also known as friendly letters. Whereas, formal letters are also known as business letters.Today were are only going to focus on business letters.

Types of Business Letters

They are many types of business letters. These include but are not limited to:

Letter of Complaint

• Letter of Requests

Letter of Apology

Application/Cover Letter

These are the four major types that might occur in Section B of the CSEC English A Exam.

Examining the Four Types of Letters

A  letter of complaint  is written to deal with a problem situation when other attempts have failed to rectify the situation.

Letter of Request

A letter of Request is a formal way of asking a person or company for something. It would be that you are asking for sponsorship for an event or you are asking your principal to permit an event. 

There are formal or informal letters of apology. However,a formal letter of apology is a way of expressing regret towards a past action or occurrence. This can be done to or by a manager, teacher, principal or a company to a client.

An application/cover letter is a written document submitted with a resume’ which explains the position the applicant is applying for as well as highlight skills and traits that the applicant might have that is not highlighted in the resume’. 

Structure of the Business Letter

The structure of letters evolve over time and there the structure of the business letter is no different. There are three different structure that I currently teach my students to use. You might also be familiar with them. These are:

• The Indented Format
• The Semi-Block Format
• The Block Format

NB: The difference between the semi block and the block letter format is that the paragraphs for the semi- block letter format is indented. Whereas,  paragraph for the block letter format is formed by skipping lines.

Also note that the block letter format is often used when typing a letter. This is not often employed when one writes a letter.

At all times remember to check to ensure that all of the following is present in your business letter.

• The sender’s address (your address)
• Receiver’s address
• Subject Line
• Body of the report

DON’Ts

I have noted with increasing worry the following errors being made by students. The following are things that you should not  do when structuring your business letter:

• Do not abbreviate addresses, names, and other words.
• Do not put a colon (:) between dear and the name of the person.
• When using the block or semi block format do not put a date after the receiver’s address.
• If you are using the indented format the closing should be on your right.
• If you are using the block or semi block format the closing should be on the right.
• Use Dear Sir/Madam when you do not know the name of the person you are sending the letter to.
• The receiver’s information should be structured as follows:

               Mr. John Brown,              (Name of the Receiver’s)

               Manager,                            (Position of the Person)

               Brown’s Auto King,          (Name of the Company)

               17 John’s Road,                ( Address)

               Spanish Town,                  ( Address)

               St. Catherine.                     ( Address)

Come back tomorrow when we will drive into the various types of business letter.

4 thoughts on “Expository Writing- The Business Letter”

Last night I discussed this with a coworker, that we have this topic to complete. Happy to find this information. Thank you so much.

Thank You Annalisa for your kind comments. It is appreciated.

Good afternoon. For the BLOCK format you said that the closing should be on the right but, our teacher told us that it should be on the left so which is correct?

All is aligned to the left in the block format.

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Letter Format Example and Writing Tips

What to Include in a Formal Letter

Written letter format, email letter format, letter template to download, professional written letter example, professional email example, tips for formatting your letter, proofread, spellcheck, and print, how to address the envelope.

 Theresa Chiechi / The Balance

Letter format might not be top of mind when you begin writing an important letter or email, but an appropriate presentation is critical to ensure your message is ultimately well received. A printed letter is usually reserved for important professional communications, such as recommendation letters, cover letters, resignation letters, and business correspondence, so you'll want to know how to write one professionally.

Correct formatting is especially important if you're sending a hard copy to the recipient rather than an email because the letter needs to fit the page, look professional, and be clear, concise, and easy to read.

Review information on what you need to include when writing a professional letter, examples, and advice on the appropriate font, salutation, spacing, closing, and signature for business correspondence.

Key Takeaways

• A formal letter should include details about why you’re writing, an expression of your appreciation to the recipient for considering your request, and your contact information.
• Correspondence can be sent as a written letter or in an email. When sending an email message, list the reason you are writing in the subject line of the message.
• When writing a professional letter, carefully proofread and spellcheck before you print or send it.

Formal correspondence should include the details of why you’re writing, your contact information, a greeting and closing, and your signature.

Beginning of the Letter

Contact Information (Written Letter):  A written letter should include the contact information of both yourself and the recipient (name, title, company name, address, phone number, email), followed by the date.

Contact Information (Email):  When sending an email, you don’t need to include the recipient’s contact information. List your contact information at the end of the letter after your signature.

Greeting:  Address the letter using a professional greeting and formal title ("Dear Mr./Ms./Dr.").

Body of the Letter

The first paragraph of your letter  should provide an introduction as to why you are writing so your reason for contacting the person is clear.

In the  following paragraphs , provide specific details about your request or the information you are providing.

The  last paragraph  of your letter should reiterate the reason you are writing and thank the reader for reviewing your request. If appropriate, it should also politely ask for a written response or the opportunity to arrange a meeting to further discuss your request.

Closing the Letter

Use a formal sign-off , such as "Sincerely" or "Best regards."

Signature (Written Letter):  End the letter with your handwritten signature followed by your typed name.

Signature (Email):  Include your typed name followed by your contact information.

It’s important to include enough detail so the recipient understands why you’re writing and the response you expect to the letter.

Here’s a template for each section of a formal letter:

Your Contact Information   Name Address City, State Zip Code Phone Number Email Address

Recipient Contact Information  Name Title Company Address City, State Zip Code

Greeting   Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,

Use a  formal salutation , not a first name, unless you know the person well. If you do not know the person's gender, you can write out their full name. For instance, write, "Dear Pat Crody" instead of "Dear Mr. Crody" or "Dear Ms. Crody." If you do not know the recipient’s name, it’s still common and acceptable to use the old-fashioned “ To Whom It May Concern .”

Body of Letter

• Paragraph 1: State the reason you are writing, for example, you are asking for something or sharing a piece of information.
• Paragraph 2:  Provide details about your request or the information you’re sharing.
• Paragraph 3:  If necessary, include additional information on the purpose of your letter.
• Paragraph 4:  Thank the reader for considering your request, and ask for a response to your letter.

Closing Best regards,

Signature Handwritten signature (use black or blue ink to sign a written letter)

Typed Signature  Your typed name

Here’s a template for each section of a professional email:

Subject Line Subject: Your Name — Reason for Writing

Greeting Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,

Body of Message Your message should generally be two or three paragraphs at most. Explain why you’re writing and what you’re requesting.

Closing Sincerely,

Typed Signature and Contact Information Mikala Schwartz mikala.schwartz@email.com 617-123-1234

When sending email correspondence, include the reason you are writing in the subject line of the message. List your contact information under your typed signature at the end of the message.

Here is a letter template that you can download  (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or review the text version below.

Nicole Thomas 35 Chestnut Street Dell Village, Wisconsin 54101 555-555-5555 nicole@thomas.com

September 5, 2023

Jason Andrews Manager LMK Company 53 Oak Avenue, Ste 5 Dell Village, Wisconsin 54101

Dear Mr. Andrews,

I’m writing to resign from my position as customer service representative, effective September 16, 2023.

I’ve recently decided to go back to school, and my program starts in late September. I’m tendering my resignation now so that I can be as helpful as possible to you during the transition.

I’ve truly enjoyed my time working with you and everyone else on our team at LMK. It’s rare to find a customer service role that offers as much opportunity to grow and learn, and perhaps more rare to find such a positive, inspiring team of people to grow and learn with.

I’m particularly grateful for your guidance while I was considering furthering my education. Your support has meant so much to me. 

Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you find and train my replacement.

Thanks and best wishes,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Nicole Thomas

Subject: Annual Meeting

Dear Kathleen,

Thank you so much for your assistance in planning our annual meeting. Your expertise in handling the meeting arrangements, booking the conference facilities and hotel, coordinating travel, scheduling events, and organizing the meeting is greatly appreciated.

I appreciate your help and advice, and I am hoping we can plan on having your assistance with next year’s event. It’s tentatively scheduled for January 16–20, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. If you can confirm your availability, I’ll be in touch when we’re ready to start planning.

I look forward to working with you in the future, and thank you again.

Best regards,

Peter Hancock

Professional letters should be simple, short, and written in business format using a traditional font.

• Length of the Letter: Most formal letters are no more than one typed page.
• Font Style and Size: Use a plain font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. Your font size should be between 10 and 12 points.
• Margins:  Use one-inch margins and left justify your text.
• Spacing: Single-space your letter, and leave a space between each paragraph. Use one-inch margins and align your text to the left. Leave an extra space after the salutation, before the closing, and before and after your handwritten signature in a printed letter.
• Printing the Letter:  Business letters should be printed on plain white paper.

Once you have written your letter, proofread it and carefully spellcheck it on the screen. Then, print it out and read it aloud at least one more time, checking for any errors or typos. This is important as it's often easier to spot errors on a hard copy. 

Reading your letter out loud is a good way to catch a mistake.

Check for formatting errors, such as two paragraphs that don’t have a space between them or lines that are indented incorrectly. Then, before putting your letter in an envelope, sign above your typed name using black or blue ink. 

If you’re emailing your letter, send a copy to yourself to be sure it’s perfect. Then send the final version to the recipient.

Print a copy of your written letter so you have it for your records. Your email will be saved in your “sent” email folder.

When your letter is ready to mail, fold it in thirds so it fits into a business-size envelope. You can use your word-processing program to print the addresses on the envelope or handwrite them. 

Print your name on the top-left corner of the front of the envelope. Print the recipient’s address in the center of the envelope, parallel with the long side. Add a stamp to the top right of the envelope.

NMU Writing Center. " Parts of a Business Letter ."

University of Arizona. " Writing a Professional Letter ."

USPS. " How to Send a Letter or Postcard: Domestic ."

How to Write a Powerful MBA Essay—With Examples

The MBA essay is critical to your business school application. Read our guide to writing the perfect MBA essay, with successful admit examples.

Posted April 4, 2024

Featuring Victoria G.

The Summer Before Round 1: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Tuesday, may 28.

3:00 PM UTC · 45 minutes

Table of Contents

What is the mba essay.

The MBA admissions essay.

Those words alone are enough to make most MBA candidates run screaming. Writing in general is hard enough. Writing about why you want an MBA? Your short-term goals and career aspirations? What matters to you most, and why? Forget it.

Of course, you still have to write these essays.

The MBA essay is perhaps  the most important part of the business school application. (It's also getting more and more important by the day, with some business schools moving away from traditional, quantitative measuring sticks, like the GMAT and the GRE.) Every other part of the application — your GPA, your test scores, your letters of recommendation — are quantified, cut and dried, or out of your control. The essay is your chance to show up as a fully realized MBA candidate, with hopes, dreams, and vulnerabilities. Admissions committees are not simply assessing your candidacy as a future leader — they're looking to admit human beings. That's where the MBA applicant essays come in.

That being the case, rather than being intimidated by it, treat the essay like the opportunity that it is — the chance for you to highlight your unique, iridescent self; the only moment in the MBA admissions process (prior to the interview) when you can speak directly to the admissions officers; the time when you'll show them who you really are. It's not easy to write something that will do that, of course, but with the tips and tricks in this guide, and some help from one of Leland's vetted, world-class admissions coaches, we know you can do it. Give the essay the time, attention, and respect it deserves, and you'll be on your way to an offer of admission at your dream school.

Without further ado, let's dive in!

Ultimate MBA Essay Guide

See the MBA essay prompts, top tips from experts, and real examples from admits with this comprehensive guide.

How Long Will My MBA Essay Take?

First thing's first: let's talk about timing.

The MBA application is a behemoth; between exams, resumes, gathering your official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and the applications themselves, there's a lot to juggle. That being the case, we suggest you give yourself ample time to draft, write, and revise your essays. The last thing you want is to be rushed to the finish line.

So, give yourself  at least three months to write your MBA essays. That should allow you ample time to draft, write, and edit. For more information on timing your entire b-school application, click here for  A Comprehensive MBA Application Timeline--With Chart .

Now, on to the critical question:

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What Makes a Great MBA Essay?

At the highest level, the answer is the one that is truest to you. The whole point of these essays is to shine through as an authentic, vibrant human being, so the best essays are the ones that cut through the clutter, and allow you do to that.

Which begs the question — how  do you cut through the clutter and shine through as a vibrant human being? Here are four critical tips to follow as you begin thinking about your essays.

1. Answer the Question

This one sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many applicants launch into their story, get carried away, and forget to answer the question. Follow the prompt, and answer the question the admissions committee has asked you. Those prompts can actually be very useful when writing your essays — it's a great deal harder to write when you have no guidance or guardrails. With the MBA essays, you have a very specific question you need to answer. So answer it!

2. Be Specific

Another mistake some MBA applicants make is to stay at a high level in their essays, keeping their writing abstract and therefore inaccessible to the admissions committee. If at any point, an admissions officer could replace your name with the name of another applicant, then your essay isn't getting deep enough. It's not enough, for instance, to say that you suffered adversity in high school, or that you really, really want a Wharton MBA. You need to explain, in detail, the adversity you faced, and give concrete and unique reasons why you think Wharton is the right program for you. The best essays offer hyper-specific examples and anecdotes, with details and anecdotes that no other candidate could bring to the table. To get those anecdotes, we recommend using the STAR template, as explained below:

• Situation : What was the situation you were facing? Where were you? How old were you? If you were in a professional role during this anecdote, what was the role, and how long had you been in it? If you were volunteering, at what organization? How long had you been volunteering there? Why did you start? Offer all the relevant information that the admissions readers will need to understand your story.
• Task : What was the task at hand? What went wrong? In your professional role, what was the challenge you faced? In that volunteering experience, what were the hurdles you had to overcome? You can't have a good story without conflict or tension, so after you set up the anecdote, explain what that conflict or tension was (and remember, be specific!).
• Action : What was the action you took to resolve the problem? What did you have to do to fix that issue at work? How did you clear that hurdle in your volunteer experience? Again, be specific about how you came through on the other side of that conflict/tension — and while you're doing it, highlight your leadership capabilities as much as possible! Remember that top MBA programs are looking for future leaders who can assess a situation and decisively take action. (We'll say a bit more about this below, in the Personal Statement section.
• Result : What was the result of your action? If you were facing a growth problem at work, were you able to increase sales? If so, by what percentage? If you were advocating for diversity and inclusion at your local charity, what new programs did you implement to help with that effort, and what was the enrollment like in those new programs? Detail what happened in your anecdote with as much specificity as possible — and quantify, quantify, quantify!

3. Get Vulnerable

Most MBA admissions essay prompts are written with the goal of getting to know as much about you as possible in the shortest number of words. To do that, you're going to have to share real things from your life — to get personal, intimate, and vulnerable. Do not shy away from this. If you're starting to get emotional during the reflection, drafting, and writing process, good — that means you're on the right track. Keep going. Pro tip: If it’s making you cry, it will make them cry. Another good rule of thumb is to put something real and true on the table. Admissions officers have to read literally thousands of applications from thoroughly qualified individuals, some of whom might come from similar roles to yours, with letters of recommendation from equally impressive supervisors. In order to cut through that noise, you'll have to share something honest. If you're doing it right, this can feel risky. At some point, you’ll likely think to yourself: “Can I say that?” The answer is: “Yes.” Of course, there is a line, you don’t want to be crass or offensive but err on the side of being open and authentic. The very worst thing you can do is be overly cautious, and write something you think will please the admissions committee. These poor people have to read thousands of essays. If yours is just like everyone else’s, they’ll fall asleep. Don’t let that happen. Wake them up by putting yourself —your true, bright, vibrant, quirky self—on the page.

4. Don't Exaggerate

Finally, do not exaggerate, over-inflate, or lie. This goes without saying, but admissions committees are looking for honest candidates. The surest way to get rejected is to lie about something. (Business schools do a background check on you before you're properly admitted, so they will find out.) Don't be the person who over-inflates on their essays, then has their offer letter rescinded.

The Types of MBA Essays

All right — since we've covered high-level approaches to the MBA essays, it's time to dig into the various types.

There are three general categories of MBA essays you'll see across the board.

1. Personal Statement

These questions ask you to offer up something sincere about yourself. They'll often touch on such things as your values and your character. In these, you'll want to be as authentic as possible, while also highlighting attributes like leadership, intellectual vitality, and teamwork, that business schools are looking for. Here are a few examples of personal statement essays:

• As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? (HBS)
• What matters most to you, and why? (Stanford GSB)

2. Why an MBA/Why This School

The next category of essays is the "Why an MBA" / "Why This School" set.

In these, schools first want to hear about how an MBA will fit into your career, both short and long term. Top MBA programs are looking for candidates who will: first of all, be gainfully employed upon graduating, second of all, have an illustrious career that will make their institution look good and encourage future generations of applicants to apply, and third, be consistent and generous donors. That being the case, they want to know about your career trajectory, and how an MBA will fit into it.

Pro tip: Here, you want to be ambitious and inspiring in laying out your future career, but not naïve. Walk the line between shooting for the stars and sounding dreamlike and uninformed.

In this set of questions, you'll also encounter questions geared at figuring out why you would want to attend a specific school. MBA programs want to know that you're serious about attending their school — yield, or the percentage of admitted candidates who accept their offers of admission, is an important metric for them — but they also want to envision how you'll contribute to their admitted class. What will you uniquely bring to the table, the things that you'll do that the other candidates wouldn’t be able to offer?

We've heard former deans of business schools say that, in choosing a class, they're curating a world-class dinner party, and that each person invited to the dinner party has to bring something different. What will you bring to the dinner party?

Pro tip: To demonstrate that you've done your research, and to help the admissions committee envision you in their program, indicate which classes you might take when earning your MBA and why, which professors you might hope to study with, and in which clubs you might participate.

Here are a few examples of "why MBA / why this school" essays:

• How is a Columbia MBA going to help you? (Columbia)
• What do you hope to gain professionally from the Wharton MBA? (Wharton)
• Why Stanford? Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them. (Stanford GSB)

3. Behavioral/Other

Finally, most other essays will either be behavioral, asking you about experiences, traits, strengths, weaknesses, and achievements. There's a wide variety of topics here, but all the guidelines from above apply, with the final note to always prioritize authenticity (as mentioned in the Personal Statement section) and leadership ability (remember, business schools are choosing future leaders). Here are a few examples of behavioral/other essays:

• Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (Yale SOM)
• Tell us about your favorite book, movie, or song and why it resonates with you. (Columbia)
• Think about times you’ve created a positive impact, whether in professional, extracurricular, academic, or other settings. What was your impact? What made it significant to you or to others? (Stanford GSB)

Top MBA Program Essay Prompts (Updated 2022)

To help you get started, we've compiled the required prompts from a few top MBA programs below:

1. Harvard Business School (HBS)

As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? (900 words)

For more information, visit A Guide to the HBS Essay .

2. Stanford Graduate School of Business

What matters to you most, and why? (650 words)

Why Stanford? (400 words)

Read What Matters Most When Writing the GSB Essays.

How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)

Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words)

For Wharton-specific advice, visit A Guide to the Wharton Essays .

4. Columbia Business School

Essay 1: Through your resume and recommendation, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what, in your imagination, would be your long-term dream job? (500 words)

Essay 2: The Phillips Pathway for Inclusive Leadership (PPIL) is a new co-curricular program designed to ensure that every CBS student develops the skills to become an ethical and inclusive leader. Through PPIL, students attend programming focused on five essential diversity, equity, and inclusion skills: Creating an Inclusive Environment, Mitigating Bias, Communicating Across Identities, Addressing Systemic Inequity, and Managing Difficult Conversations. Tell us about a time you were challenged around one of these five skills. Describe the situation, the actions you took, and the outcome. (250 words)

Essay 3: We believe Columbia Business School is a special place. CBS proudly fosters a collaborative learning environment through curricular experiences like our clusters and learning teams , an extremely active co-curricular and student life environment, and career mentorship opportunities like our Executives-in-Residence program .Why do you feel Columbia Business School is a good fit for you academically, culturally, and professionally? Please be specific. (250 words)

5. Chicago Booth

How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250-word minimum)

An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of your career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are… (250-word minimum)

Read more at A Guide to the Booth Essays .

6. Kellogg Northwestern

Kellogg’s purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)

Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)

Read How to Nail Your Kellogg MBA Application Essays

7. MIT Sloan

MIT Sloan seeks students whose personal characteristics demonstrate that they will make the most of the incredible opportunities at MIT, both academic and non-academic. We are on a quest to find those whose presence will enhance the experience of other students. We seek thoughtful leaders with exceptional intellectual abilities and the drive and determination to put their stamp on the world. We welcome people who are independent, authentic, and fearlessly creative — true doers. We want people who can redefine solutions to conventional problems, and strive to preempt unconventional dilemmas with cutting-edge ideas. We demand integrity, respect, and passion.

Taking the above into consideration, please submit a cover letter seeking a place in the MIT Sloan MBA program. Your letter should conform to standard business correspondence, include one or more professional examples that illustrate why you meet the desired criteria above, and be addressed to the Admissions Committee (300 words or fewer, excluding address and salutation)

Applicants are required to upload a 1 minute (60 seconds) video as part of their application. In your video, you should introduce yourself to your future classmates, tell us about your past experiences, and touch on why MIT Sloan is the best place for you to pursue your degree.

How to Start Your MBA Essay

So you've read about the types of essays, and seen some of the prompts from top MBA programs. Now it's time to actually start diving into the essay.

The very first thing to do, before putting pen to paper, is to look inward.

Why do  you want an MBA? What role will this degree play in your professional growth? How do you imagine it will shape your life? What do you want out of your career? What is the most important thing in the world to you?

Yes, these are life’s deep-end questions, but you’ll need to tackle them in these essays, so before you start writing, take the time to think through them. Go for a run, swim some laps, bake a cake—however you get into the flow — and start a dialogue with yourself. Put down your work, turn your phone off, and give your mind permission to go to the places it usually avoids. That’s a good place to start. That’s where the answers are.

Pro tip: The first sentence is the hardest one to write. When you're starting out if it can intimidating and anxiety-producing. The trick is to simply put  anything  down — and don't look back. Keep putting one sentence after the other. You can edit later: let whatever comes to you out onto the page. If you’re struggling with self-critique, dim your computer screen until you can’t even see the words you’re typing. Then keep going.

Additional Tips & Tricks

Once you've started your essay, it's a matter of persistence: keep writing, then keep drafting and editing until you have something you're really proud of.

To help you with that process, here are a few more tips and tricks:

• Take Breaks

When you hit the wall — you will hit the wall — stop. This is your brain telling you it needs to do something else. Walk your dog. Take a lap around your room. Eat some cheese. Your body needs sleep every night to function; your mind is the same way. That next leap of inspiration will come exactly at the moment when you’re least expecting it.

• Read it Out Loud

When you finally have a draft, print it and read it out loud to yourself. Your ear will catch things your eyes miss. Reading out loud is the best way to pick up on spelling errors, clunky transitions, and paragraphs that still need ironing out. It’s also a good way to envision how the admissions committee will experience your essay.

Don’t be precious with your essay. Send it to anyone willing to read it. Solicit as much feedback as you can. If you don’t like what people have to say, you don’t have to incorporate it, but you need an impartial third party to give notes on what they’re seeing, thinking, and feeling. (You’re too close to things to do it for yourself.) This is where a Leland coach comes very much in handy!

• Complete Everything Early

This is more of a timing consideration, but you do not want to trip at the finish line because your internet went down the night before the deadline, or your credit card was denied when paying your application fee (it's happened before). Don't let that be you!

Here is another article to get you started, written by an expert essays coach: 7 MBA Essay Tips to Make You Stand Out in 2022 .

Example MBA Essays

Finally, here are two essays to help inspire you. The first, a personal statement essay, was submitted by an admit to Berkeley Haas' Executive MBA program; the second, a career goals / why MBA essay, was submitted by an admit to Chicago Booth's deferred MBA program.

Haas Admit:

A person’s identity is shaped by many different aspects, including family, culture, personal interests, and surrounding environments. Please share a facet of your identity or story that is essential to who you are. (300 words) My upbringing in India, filled with countless myths and legends, had a profound influence on me. The most formative tale was about a sage who prays for years to the goddess of knowledge, but in vain. In the end, the goddess didn’t appear for the sage because he was turning his prayer beads the wrong way! As a child, this story upset me: the sage worked so hard and had the right intentions. As an adult, though, I’ve come to realize that the goddess of knowledge was right: you can’t succeed unless you do things the right way. Seven years ago, two friends and I started a company, XXXX: a digital health platform that would allow patients to store medical records online and consult doctors remotely. We had early success—we brought on 2,000 patients at XXXX, a gynecology clinic in XXXX—but ultimately we didn’t have the resources to properly scale, and had to shut the company down. Among the many lessons I learned, the most valuable was that ideas and hard work are common; businesses succeed or fail based on execution—on doing things the right way. Two years ago, I relearned this lesson in the most painful way possible: when my marriage ended. My wife and I loved each other, but we weren’t there for each other when it mattered most. Our feelings weren’t enough—we had to back them up with the right actions. It’s disheartening when you have good intentions but still fall short. When this happens, though, you have to keep trying—because eventually you will do things the right way. I carry the story of the sage with me always, not as a harsh lesson, but as a motivating goal: one that keeps me striving towards doing things the right way.

Booth Admit:

How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 word minimum)

I want to start a geothermal company that will help lead the energy transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy—by targeting existing oil wells as sites for geothermal plants. Oil fields are close to electric grids and have high nearby subsurface temperatures, making them ideal sites for geothermal plants. By building geothermal infrastructure nearby, my company will produce cleaner, cheaper energy, making it more profitable for operators to switch from oil to geothermal. As oil companies decommission their wells, I’ll negotiate for their land rights, so I can use their existing wells for new geothermal vents. I want my company to prove the case for economically viable, carbon neutral energy production. After getting an MBA I want to start a geothermal company which will help me lead the energy transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy. I plan to target developed oil fields in Texas, where, in many places, producing wells are flowing enough hot fluid to generate clean energy. Using this geothermal heat, the carbon footprint of oil and gas extraction will decrease as fewer fossil fuels are utilized to power surrounding infrastructure. As the wells approach their economic life, I will negotiate the lease from various operators, saving them millions in plug and abandonment costs, and retrofit the wells for direct geothermal energy production via closed loop binary fluid systems, bringing emissions to zero. To accomplish this goal, I need to shore up my knowledge of energy economics and entrepreneurial finance, develop a strong sense of leadership, and build a network of like minded individuals that will help me lead the transition and I believe I can get those things at Chicago Booth. My immediate career goal is to develop my first co-production site in Shelby County, Texas at the Blanton well site, which produces abnormally heated fluid from the flanks of an active salt dome. Before investing in capital expenditures, developing a strong sense of energy economics and broader markets is necessary to verify financial feasibility. University of Chicago, through the Graduate-Student-At-Large: Business program, is already allowing me to accomplish this goal with my enrollment in “Microeconomics” with Professor Andrew McClellan. His instruction helped me understand the impact taxes and subsidies have on market equilibrium, an important aspect of renewable energy as green energy tax incentives continue to change on a yearly basis. As my company continues to grow, having a strong finance and accounting foundation is imperative to building and sustaining a healthy company. Electives such as “Accounting for Entrepreneurship: From Start-Up through IPO” will provide the skills I need to be successful by following the life-cycle of a business that originates as a start-up, and covers topics such as building an initial accounting infrastructure. I understand that execution of the business is as important as developing the idea and proof of concept, and Booth is the best place for me to develop financial fluency. Leading the energy transition will require a strong sense of leadership. Not only will I need to lead those I get to work with over my career, but to lead the energy transition, and reverse the impact fossil fuels have had thus far, I must have the emotional intelligence to inspire others to join me in my journey. The “Interpersonal Dynamics” course at Booth will allow me to develop my communication skills and better understand the emotions and perceptions of my colleagues. These skills, synthesized with leadership development acquired in “Leadership Practicum” will prepare me to act as a relational leader, who understands the needs of others. As a relational leader I hope to foster an environment which promotes happiness, and maximizes efficiency, not only to make our efforts in changing the world more successful, but to excite other people to join our cause.

To find the greatest chance of success in leading the energy transition, I will need a network of like-minded individuals who can provide a diversity of thought. Chicago Booth provides the opportunity to develop that network through different community experiences. The Energy Club’s “Energy Forward” conference, which designates time to topics in oil and gas and renewable energy will allow me to hear from industry leaders, build meaningful relationships with peers and contribute my sector experience to the public forum as I learn from those around me. Opportunities through the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Group such as “SeedCon” will help me connect with successful entrepreneurs and early-stage investors whose ideas and funding might change the course of my venture’s trajectory. Even in the GSALB program I have had the opportunity to connect with other students in various sectors, including the energy industry. I hope to continue to strengthen those connections and continue building new ones with matriculation into the full time program.

Here are several other articles that you may find helpful as you put together your MBA application:

• The Most Frequently Asked Questions on MBA Applications
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Business Essay Examples

13 Business Essay Examples for Students

14 min read

Published on: May 1, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 30, 2024

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Are you struggling to figure out the structure, research, or data required to make your essay stand out? Or frustrated by the lack of inspiration and ideas for your essay?

But don't give up yet! We have a powerful solution that will make your essay writing a breeze. Our list of business essay examples is here to help! 

We have compiled expertly written business essay examples that will illustrate how to write a striking business essay.

With our examples, you'll be able to see how to structure your essay and generate creative ideas for your topic. And our tips will help you make the most of these examples.

So, let's dive in and get ready to learn!

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What is a Business Essay?

A business essay is a type of academic writing that focuses on business-related topics and issues. These essays can cover a wide range of topics such as marketing, finance, management, entrepreneurship, and more.

The importance of business essay lies in presenting a well-researched and informed analysis. To do this effectively, writers need to conduct extensive research and analysis on the topic at hand.

Referring to examples of business essays can help you gain insight into the structure, tone, and content of a well-written essay.

Business Essay Examples For Students

Here is a list of business writing examples

Business Essay Examples Pdf

Business Essay Example Grade 10

Business Essay Example Grade 11

A Level Business Essay Examples

University Business Essay Examples

International Business Essay Examples

Short Essay About Business

College Essay About Starting A Business

Types of Business Essay with Examples

When it comes to business essay writing, there are several different types that you might encounter. 

Here's a brief overview of each type, including their characteristics and an example of each.

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Case Studies

A case study is an in-depth analysis of a specific business situation or problem. It involves extensive research and data analysis to provide recommendations.

Case studies often showcase the application of theory to real-world business scenarios.

Research Papers

Research papers involve a more academic approach to business writing. They typically require an extensive literature review, data analysis, and original research. 

Business research papers aim to contribute new knowledge to the field of business. These often involve a hypothesis or research question.

Argumentative Essays

Argumentative business essays aim to persuade the reader to adopt a particular point of view or take a specific action. They present an argument and use evidence and logic to support their claims. 

Argumentative essays can address various business topics such as management practices, ethical issues, or market trends.

White Papers

A white paper is a document that provides a detailed explanation of a particular issue or problem, often with recommendations or solutions. 

White papers are typically used to educate stakeholders about a specific topic. These are often used in the business-to-business (B2B) context.

Comparative Essays 

Comparative business essays compare and contrast two or more topics or ideas. They typically analyze the similarities and differences between the topics to evaluate their pros and cons. 

Comparative essays can focus on various aspects such as products, companies, markets, or strategies.

How to Structure Your Business Essays

As you begin writing your business essay, it's important to structure it in a clear and organized way. 

Here's a step-by-step guide with business essay samples to help you do just that:

Executive Summary

The executive summary is a brief overview of your entire essay. It should summarize your main points and highlight your recommendations. 

This section should be written after completing the essay, as it gives a clear picture of what the essay covers. 

Here is how you start a business essay sample:

Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for the rest of the essay. It should introduce the topic, provide background information, and explain the purpose of the essay. 

Here is a business essay introduction example:

Industry Analysis

In this section, you'll conduct a thorough analysis of the industry in which the business operates. You should examine factors such as competition, market trends, and customer behavior. 

Here is a sample industry analysis

Key Issues or Problems

This section should identify the main issues or problems faced by the business. You should provide evidence to support your claims and analyze the impact of these issues. 

Here is an example paragraph:

Solutions or Recommendation

Here, you'll provide solutions or recommendations to address the issues identified in the previous section. Your solutions should be well-supported and feasible. 

For instance:

Implementation Plan

For this part, you'll outline a plan for implementing the solutions or recommendations you've proposed. This is sort of a description of the business model you suggest. 

This section should be detailed and include specific action steps. 

For example:

Finally, you'll wrap up your essay by summarizing your main points and reiterating your recommendations. 

This section should be clear, concise, and impactful. 

By following this structure, your business essay will be well-organized, coherent, and easy to follow for your readers.

Tips for Using Business Essay Examples Effectively

Now that you have quite a few business essay examples at hand, you should know how to use them effectively:

• Use them as a guide, not a template : While it's great to learn from examples, you should never copy them outright. Instead, use them as a starting point for your own research and writing.
• Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the essay : Take note of what works well in the example essay, as well as any areas that could be improved. This will help you understand how to make your own essay even better.
• Use them to inform your own research and writing : Pay attention to the research methods, sources, and evidence used in the example essay. This can give you ideas for your own research and help you strengthen your arguments.
• Avoid plagiarism and ensure proper citation: Whenever you use ideas or information from an example, make sure to cite your sources. This will help you avoid plagiarism and maintain academic integrity.

You now have a plenty of business essay examples on different topics to help you get started!

By following our tips and studying the sample essays, you can confidently write your own essays that are clear, concise, and impactful. 

However, if you still find yourself struggling with your business essays, just reach out to our professional business essay writing service . 

We have the best online essay writing service and are ready to provide you a high-quality business. Our writing service has subject specialist writers who can tackle any business essay topic.  

So why wait? Contact us today and let our AI essay writer take your business essays to the next level!

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• Sample Letters

FREE 9+ Sample Persuasive Business Letter Templates in MS Word | PDF

Business letters are a tool of formal and professional communication between two or more parties. This may be via a physical letter that comes in an envelope or an electronic letter sent through e-mails. This method of communication is common among organizations, companies, professionals, or corporations to clients and customers or each other. Business letters may also serve as official documents, memos, notices, and formal complaints and requests.

Persuasive Business Letter

Business letter example - 9+ samples in word, pdf, persuasive letter example - 7+ samples in word, pdf, sample business letter - 8+ examples in word, pdf.

While there are more instant forms of communication, business letters create an air of professionalism and sense of urgency. To write a persuasive business letter, one must know the proper formatting and adopt the right tone. Here are some Sample Letters and a couple of pointers for writing a persuasive business letter.

Persuasive Business Letter Template

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Persuasive Sales Business Letter Template

Persuasive Business Letter for Students Template

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Sample Persuasive Business Letter in PDF

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Persuasive Essay Business Letter Format

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Size: 112 KB

Business Letter Formats are almost exactly the same no matter the content. The one characteristic you must remember is this: it has to appear professional.

Choose a sans serif font like Georgia or Arial. Most business letters use Times New Roman as it carries with it a reputation of formality. Don’t use too large or too small a font size. Keep it within a 10–12 point size.

Ideally, margin must only be an inch at all sides.

Most business letters should be printed in a letter-sized paper (8.5” × 11”). Long contracts are printed in a legal sized-paper (8.5” × 14”). There are some countries, however, that prefer A4-sized papers in place of letter-sized.

Persuasive Business Letter Example

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Sample Persuasive Letter for Fundraising Template

Size: 202 KB

Persuasive Business Sales Letter Template

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Persuasive Employment Letter Template

Size: 14 KB

Sender and Recipient Information

• For a more professional look, put your company letterhead on top. If you don’t have one, then write down your company name, location, and contact information in either the left or right top corner. If you are self-employed, write your name above your company’s.
• Because a business letter format may serve as official documentation, always include the date of when you finished writing the letter.
• Know who the recipient is. Write their name, position, company name, and location.

Opening Salutations

• Know how to address the recipient. If you are unsure, you may just write their full names. Make “To Whom It May Concern” your last option.

Introduction

• Time is money for business people. Go straight to the point and don’t worry about having to be flowery with your choice of words.
• Use personal pronouns like “I” when you’re stating your opinions, “we” for when you’re writing on behalf of the company, and “you” when referring to the recipient.
• Use the active voice to avoid sounding too ambiguous and impersonal.
• Be conversational when you see it appropriate. The letter is written by a person to a person. Don’t be too robotic in your letters.
• Even when writing a complaint, be courteous. There is no room for immaturity in business.
• Wrap it up nicely with a “thank you.”

Closing the Letter

• Close with a closing salutation like “best regards” or “sincerely.”
• Sign your name with a nice black pen to appear more formal.

Writing a business letter isn’t quite like writing informal letters . There are more technical rules to follow. See these Business Letter Samples for further explanation.

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