8. The subject title (Заголовок к тексту)

"Re:" is an abbreviation of “regarding” which means "the subject title" and is used after the salutation. This provides a further reference, saves introducing the subject in the first paragraph, and allows the writer to refer to it throughout the letter. Sometimes “Subject:” is used instead. The subject title is usually centered after the salutation and has a line for itself.

9. The body of the letter (Текст письма)

A business letter usually sticks to one problem and is very specific. The point discussed depends on the type of a letter. It usually consists of three main parts: the opening in which the sender gives the reason for writing, tells what sort of firm he represents (if necessary); the main part where he discusses the matter and gives details; and the closing in which he tells what further steps will be (are expected to be) taken.

10. The complimentary close (Завершение письма)

The closing formula depends on the form of salutation: "Yours sincerely" is used if the letter begins with "Dear Mr./Mrs.M..."; "Yours faithfully" if the letter begins with "Dear Sir/Madam" or “Dear Sirs” ; "Yours truly" or "Very truly yours" if the letter begins with "Gentlemen". The comma after the close is optional.

11. The signature (Подпись)

Business letters are signed by hand in ink, clearly and legibly. The sender's name and title are typed below the signature. If the sender signs the letter on behalf of a company or another per­son, "per pro”

(means "for and on behalf of") abbreviated as “p.p.” is used before the name. Secretaries sometimes use it when signing letters on behalf of their bosses.

12. Initials of persons in charge (Пометка об исполнителях)

The capitalized initials “JP” belong to the writer of the letter, non-­capitalized initials “rs” — to the typist. They are used in large companies to know who is in charge of a particular letter.

13. The enclosure (Приложение)

If there are enclosures, e.g. leaflets, brochures, price-lists etc. with the letter they are mentioned in the left-hand corner at the bottom. It’s usually abbreviated as “Enc.” or “Encl.” and can be followed by the names of the enclosed materials.

14. Copies (Копии письма)

“c.c.” = carbon copies

This abbreviation tells who else receives a copy of the letter and can be followed by the person’s name.

“b.c.c.” = blind carbon copies

If you will not want the addressee to know that other people have received copies, write it on the copies themselves, though not, of course on the top copy.

15. Postscript (Постскриптум)

“P.S.” is the final component of a business letter which is used to add some extra information missed from the body of the letter.

Other indications (Другие обозначения)

If required, a letter may have a special mailing indication “EXPRESS MAIL”. It can be marked “CONFIDENTIAL” if only the addressee is meant to read it. These indications are written on the left-hand side before and after the inside address respectively.

2. Business Letter Layout Построение письма

There are two styles of laying out now in common use: the semi-blocked layout and the fully blocked layout. Informal handwritten letters are best laid out in the semi-blocked style. When typing or word-processing a letter, it is possible to choose between the two layouts, but if you are writing letters on behalf of a company check back in the filing to find out which of the two the company prefers to use. If you need to send a formal letter but can not get to a typing machine or a computer, it is the best to use the fully-blocked style. But whichever style you choose, you must be consistent and use that style all through the letter.

In the semi-blocked style:

In the block style (which is more widely used now in the business context because it tends to look less informal):

1. each paragraph is indented from the left-hand edge of the page; 2. the complimentary close and the signature are also indented; 3. the date and the reference number are placed on the same line at the top of the page; 4. the subject heading is centered under the salutation; 5. standard punctuation (a comma at the ends of the lines in an address, after the salutation and the complimentary close, and in the date) is used

1. each paragraph is started flush left rather than indented; 2. the complimentary close, signature and subject heading are also typed flush left; 3. the reference and date have a line to themselves; 4. a line space is left between each two paragraphs; 5. open punctuation of addresses, dates, saluta- tions and complimentary closes (which entails use of no punctuation) is applied