Consists in the arrangement of its several parts, with a view to the most harmonious effect. Whenever typewriting is not used, excellent penmanship is very desirable, but not absolutely essential. The penmanship may indeed be poor, but the arrangement of the several parts of the letter, the neatness, and finish, may be such as to give it an attractive appearance, while, on the other hand, the letter may be clothed in the most elegant penmanship, and yet the construction be such as to stamp its author as a careless and indifferent person, devoid of precision and order.
Not one great thing, but many little things, carefully watched and attentively practiced, make up the structure and dress of a business letter, and give it a businesslike air. The penmanship should be a neat, strong hand, very plain and legible, and devoid of all flourish.
Paper and Envelope.
The paper and envelopes used in business correspondence should be of a good durable quality, and a white color is preferable. Cheap materials are not only unsatisfactory to the writer, but may give the reader an unfavorable impression, which would be an injury far exceeding the cost of the best stationery for a lifetime. Persons form impressions from very little things sometimes.
The size of a letter sheet in business correspondence should be about 8½ x 11 inches. This sheet affords a sufficient space for a communication of ordinary length, to be written on one side only, which is essential in case the letter is copied in a letter press. A sheet of paper, note size (5 x 8), is oftentimes used for brief communications of no special importance, and not designed to be filed for future reference. Among professional men the note paper is extensively used, but with business men the letter size is considered preferable.
The envelope should correspond in size to that of the letter sheet, and should be a trifle longer than one-half the length of the sheet. Thus, in a sheet 8½ x 11 inches, one-half the length of the sheet is 5½ inches, and this requires the length of the envelope to be about 5¾ inches. Its width is usually about 3¼ inches. Avoid the use of fancy colored and fancy shaped paper and envelopes. These may not be objectionable in social correspondence among ladies (see [Part IV, chap. I]), but the importance of business affairs does not admit of such display.
DIAGRAM OF THE STRUCTURE OF A LETTER.
8½ INCHES.
11 INCHES.
HEADING.