When writing a business letter, there are many things to consider. The inside address is one of them. It is used to identify the recipient and to make sure that your letter doesn’t get lost. In addition to the name, the inside address also contains the mailing information for the letter, including the address of the person who is receiving the letter, the date of delivery, and the zip code. If you don’t include all of this information, your letter could end up in the trash.
Most business letters require you to include an inside address. This is usually the company or institution’s address, though a personal address can also be included. To create an inside address, start with the name of the company or institution and then write down the full address for the recipient. If you are using a business letter template, it will have this information already written out. However, if you are not following a template, you might want to omit the full address unless you are sure of the person’s address.
You may choose to use a formal salutation in your business letter. A salutation is an opening to your message that is meant to introduce the subject of your letter and to direct your letter to the proper place. Salutations can be simple or complex, depending on your requirements. They can include the recipient’s first name and title. While these salutations are common, you can omit them if you think they are unnecessary.
Other elements of an inside address are the city, state, and ZIP code. These should be typed out carefully, leaving at least four spaces between them. Using a clear-reading font is recommended, rather than the standard Times New Roman. Also, you should leave an extra line for your signature.
For example, if you are sending a letter to a woman, you might want to include honorary initials. Women like to be addressed as Ms. Depending on the company you are writing to, you might find that the organization uses a different template.
You can also use a general term for the address if the recipient is unknown. One of the benefits of using a formal salutation is that you can avoid typing in the recipient’s name if you don’t know it. Another reason to use a formal salutation is that it can be used to acknowledge a committee or other group.
The inside address in a business letter should be justified to the left margin, and should be at least two spaces below the date. If you are unsure of the exact layout, you can leave the date and the salutation at the top and the address at the bottom, respectively.
If you are going to write a letter with attachments, you should follow the instructions on the back of the envelope. Some organizations require that you use a specific font or style for your envelope addressing. Even if you are using a word processing program, you might prefer to print your letters in the same font and size as your envelope.