Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

In a letter or memo, what is the opening greeting called?

1. Closure

2. Salutation

3. Body

4. Signature

The correct answer is: Salutation

The opening greeting in a letter or memo is known as the salutation. This term refers specifically to the phrase used to address the recipient at the beginning of the correspondence, such as "Dear [Name]" or "Hello [Name]." The salutation sets the tone for the message and establishes a connection with the reader. The other terms listed describe different components of written communication. For instance, the closure refers to the part of the message where the writer wraps up their thoughts, often with a phrase like "Sincerely" or "Best regards" before signing off. The body is the main content of the letter or memo where the primary information is conveyed. The signature is the final part where the writer’s name is typically signed, often including other identifying details like a job title or company name. Understanding these distinctions helps in effectively crafting professional communications.