Finding a suitable format for your letter can be confusing if you consult textbooks or look around at examples online.
As an expert in this area I have done a lot of research into the subject over the years and have found that there is no single overall international standard for formatting letters. That’s right; there is no single accepted standard.
So, after studying the literally dozens of letter writing formats out there, I developed a couple of my own letter writing standard formats; one for personal letters and one for business letters (a third one for business memos as well).
My criteria for these letter formats were: 1.) simplicity, and 2.) balanced presentation that is pleasing to the eye.
Below is my format for writing “personal letters”. That is, letters of a personal nature that are NOT formal business letters related to your company or organization.
These are formal or semi-formal personal business letters for situations in which you are writing your letter, as an individual to: a business, an institution, a government department or agency, or another person.
Following is the personal letter writing format that I recommend:
Personal Letter Writing Format

The above format is used for personal business letters such as: complaint letters to retailers, letters of inquiry to companies, responses to requests for information from government agencies, letters to banks and credit card companies, letters to school officials, etc. These are typical examples. Essentially, it is any letter that you would want to write in a somewhat formal fashion that is related to any type of personal business.
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