Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

In a business letter, the body typically follows which section?

1. Salutation

2. Letterhead

3. Subject Line

4. Closing

The correct answer is: Salutation

In a business letter, the body typically follows the salutation. The salutation serves as a formal greeting to the recipient and establishes the tone for the correspondence. Following this, the body of the letter is where the main message is conveyed. It includes the details, arguments, or information that the writer wishes to communicate. This structure is essential as it allows the reader to quickly understand who the letter is addressed to and then engage with its content effectively. The letterhead, which includes the sender’s address and contact information, is typically positioned at the top of the letter and precedes the salutation. The subject line, if included, helps to summarize the purpose of the letter but comes before the body as well. The closing, found at the end of the letter, includes a farewell phrase and signature, marking the conclusion of the correspondence and following the body. Each section plays a specific role in the organization of a business letter, but the body directly follows the salutation, making it a critical component of the letter structure.