BEC Writing Guidance - Format Issues

1. Format Issues:

Use flat style writing in BEC writing

Close The name and address of the letter writer are placed in the upper left corner of the letter paper

There is no punctuation mark after the address, salutation and closing words

The date is placed in the upper right corner

The paragraph starts from a fixed frame Initially, the line spacing between paragraphs is two lines (but due to the limit of the answer sheet in the exam, students are asked to consider it as appropriate)

The name and title of the writer are below the signature

2. Notes on salutations and closing remarks:

The writing of salutations follows the following principles:

Dear Sir or Madam - writing to a certain company, not sure about the specific address Recipient

Dear Sir - To a man, but you don’t know his specific name

Dear Madam - To a woman, but you don’t know his specific name

Dear Mr Smith - for men

Dear Ms Smith - for married or unmarried women

Dear Mrs Smith - for married women

Dear Miss Smith - to an unmarried lady

Dear John (where John is a common male name in English) - to a friend or someone you are familiar with (usually a business partner for many years)

There is a corresponding relationship between the salutation and the closing words, please pay special attention to:

Dear Sir or Madam——Yours faithfully

Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs/Miss —— Smith Yours sincerely

Dear John Best wishes

The following are incorrect usages:

Dear Mr John

Dear Mr John Smith

3. Date:

In British English, the day comes first, but in American English, the month comes first. Therefore, certain special periods are prone to misunderstanding. For example: 12 06 2003

In the UK it means: June 21st

In the US it means: December 6th

So the date should be written as : 12 June 2003

Remember that months begin with a higher letter. You don’t have to write th, rd, nd or st for divas

Hope this helps!