The standard opening in a formal letter is called what?

• A. Formal Greeting
• B. Salutation
• C. Enclosure
• D. Interjection

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is the proper term for the opening that addresses the recipient in a formal letter. That opening is called the salutation. It signals who the letter is for and sets the tone, usually starting with “Dear” and then the recipient’s title or name. In many guides, this opening is described as a formal greeting, which conveys what it does, but the standard term used in writing instruction is salutation. The other terms point to different parts or ideas: an enclosure note indicates additional documents are included with the letter, and an interjection is a sudden exclamation or exclamatory word, not related to how the letter opens.