In using Hon., the salutation is usually Sir.
The Courteous Close
The courteous close corresponds in tone to the salutation. If the salutation is Dear Sir, Gentlemen, or Dear Madam, the courteous close should be one of the following:
| Yours truly, |
| Yours very truly, |
| Very truly yours, |
| Respectfully yours, |
| Yours respectfully, |
| Sincerely yours, |
| Very sincerely yours, |
If the salutation is Sir, the courteous close should be Respectfully yours or Yours respectfully.
If the body of the letter and the courteous close do not agree in tone, the effect is often ridiculous. Suppose, for instance, that the courteous close of (2) under [Exercise 220] were Yours respectfully. What would be the effect?
The Signature
If an unmarried woman is signing a business letter, she should avoid confusion by prefixing (Miss) to her name.
A married woman should sign her own name, as, Alice Pierce; she should indicate her title, as Mrs. John F. Pierce, either below the other or at one side.