lapislazuli  +  590243 Fri, 21 Nov 08 10:12 AM Hello, My questions concern writing official/business letters. 1. Do I use a dot after Mr in the salutation? 2. Do I use a comma or a colon or nothing at all after the salutation? 3. Do I start my first sentence with a capital letter? My head of department says that using a comma and starting the body with a capital letter are just "things people do" however, he claims that it is not "proper English". Could you please let me know the official rules for starting a letter? Best would be if you could direct me to a link with such regulations. Thank you very much zs lapislazuli Joined on Wed, Nov 19 2008 New Member 02 Capital Letters, Colons, Commas, Salutation, Business Letters

	Mister Micawber  +  590303 Fri, 21 Nov 08 01:47 PM . Hello lapislazuli, and welcome to English Forums. 1. Do I use a dot after Mr in the salutation?-- No dot is becoming the accepted form, but both are OK. 2. Do I use a comma or a colon or nothing at all after the salutation? -- Most use a colon for a business letter-- but again, I believe that BrE prefers no punctuation these days. 3. Do I start my first sentence with a capital letter? -- Yes, of course.  Every sentence begins with a capital letter. Business practice (I mean punctuation) varies slightly from style guide to style guide. And there are certainly websites out there. I suggest that you follow the guidelines promulgated by the head of your department. . Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 26,652 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.' Capital Letters, Colons, Commas, Punctuation, Salutation, Business Letters