Most of the time, the workplace letters you write will be formal letters. You will use letters for things such as job applications, official requests to someone inside or outside your organization, documentation of complaints and reprimands, and recognition of special achievements. Here are some more specific examples that you are likely to see early in your career:

• cover letters that are part of a job application packet.
• thank you letters to those who are part of your job search (e.g., interviewers, HR staff, those who write recommendations).
• recommendation letters for those you work with.
• cover letters (or transmittal letters) that accompany reports and proposals.

In all these cases, you will want a formal letter. You may occasionally write informal letters in the workplace, but it’s typical for informal correspondence to be handled in email messages. Before considering today’s infographic, watch this LinkedIn Learning video “Understanding the proper elements and etiquette in a business letter” (6m42s). The video is free with your VT login. Follow these instructions to login.

Next, from the website The Visual Communication Guy, the image below provides an annotated explanation of what goes into a letter and how to format letters that you write. Use the PDF of the image for a larger version for more details. After considering today’s resources, consider the differences among the various kinds of correspondence and how the information we have read and viewed this week compares to the letters and other correspondence you have written and read.