Attention Letter Template

The way you address a letter or envelope can make all the difference in getting your correspondence noticed and read. This article explores attention lines, explains how to format them, and provides a template and example.

A letter’s attention line is an additional line of text that specifies a recipient within an organization or company. While in some cases, a letter’s subject line may serve this purpose, an attention line can be especially helpful when you know the person’s title but not their name, or if you want to emphasize that the recipient should take action on the letter.

Typically, an attention line is included above the recipient line on the envelope. Immediately following the attention line, you write the address of the firm or individual to whom the letter is being sent. You should then list any enclosed documents below the closing (e.g., a resume). If you’re mailing the letter to someone who has an assistant, consider including a note such as “Attn: Assistant” in the attention line. This may allow your letter to skip the assistant’s reading and reach the recipient directly.

An attention line while writing an attention letter can also be used for business emails. However, in most cases, it’s preferable to use a subject line instead. Depending on the circumstances, an attention line can be confusing for those who receive your email, and it might make more sense to include the recipient’s name in the subject field of the email itself.