The young person who would learn to write a good business letter should, with pen, ink and suitable paper begin to practice faithfully after the above model. If necessary, write and re-write it a dozen times or more, until your letter resembles it closely. Then take any of the models for business letters given in this book, and, with this specimen in front of you, write a letter which will conform with the foregoing sample in appearance and dress. Write the same matter over again, and improve it in its defects. Criticise each line and word. See that no words or letters are omitted, and that the punctuation is according to the models in this volume. Eliminate all ungainly letters, see that each of them rests on the line, and that, withal, your page is clean and regular.
The person who will thus devote a little earnest study and practice may early acquire the valuable accomplishment of writing a pleasing business letter, so far as the mechanical structure goes. For the contents, the model letter will also furnish the necessary practical points.
Typewritten Letters.
It must be stated here that all the above principles, rules and recommendations apply to type-written letters, as well as to their contents as to general arrangement of the text.
It is considered absolutely bad form and almost impertinent, to use a typewriter in social correspondence. The writing machine is reserved exclusively for business or official correspondence.
Addressing the Envelope.
After the letter is finished, and before it is copied on the letter press, the envelope should be addressed. As before stated, the directions on the envelope must conform to the address at the beginning of the letter, hence the necessity for addressing the envelope before the letter is folded.
The first line of the address of the envelope should consist of the name of the person or firm to whom the letter is written, together with any appropriate titles, and should be written across or a little below the middle of the envelope, but never above it, beginning near the left edge. The space between this first line and the bottom of the envelope should be about equally divided among the other lines, each of which begins still farther to the right than the one above (see page [26]).
Messrs. Bradley, Tomlinson & Co.,
410 Broadway,