National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) Medical Assistant Practice Test

When writing a business letter, which punctuation mark follows the salutation?

1. Comma

2. Period

3. Colon

4. Semicolon

The correct answer is: Colon

In a business letter, the punctuation mark that typically follows the salutation is a colon. This practice aligns with the formal nature of business communication, where a colon serves to clearly indicate that the letter is proceeding to the body content. The use of a colon emphasizes professionalism and signals the recipient that the writer is addressing them directly. While other punctuation marks like a comma may be used in more casual writing or personal letters, a colon is preferable in a formal context because it maintains the structure and formality that is expected in business correspondence. Understanding the appropriate punctuation to use helps convey the intended tone and respect within professional settings.