The proper Cover Letter formatting is very important - you need to impress the recipient of the documentation whether they determine your academic future or employment, already employ you, or decide a legal matter you have to resolve. Follow these steps to compose a good Cover Letter: Begin with the Cover Letter heading. Greet the recipient of the letter. Certainly, you can simply write "To whom it may concern" but it is recommended to find the name and title of the individual who will receive the documentation - it will be a great personal touch that shows you have been thorough and found the right department, office, or agency to address. Work on the body of the letter. In 2 to 4 paragraphs, you can introduce yourself, enter your position and the name of the organization you represent, state the purpose for writing, and explain the components of the envelope or attachments to your email. Try not to repeat information you submit in other documents - for instance, do not list your professional skills if you address them in your resume. Keep a polite and professional tone. Even if you send documentation to complain or you need to provide the other party to legal proceedings with required materials, do not get emotional - only refer to facts and be as formal as you can. Any Cover Letter will be considered written evidence and may be used against you if the situation escalates to the lawsuit. Prepare the closing part. In the last paragraph, you can mention the desired outcome of the letter you send - maybe, you want to be admitted to a college or be invited to a job interview. Offer the recipient to stay in touch with you by including your contact details - it is a good idea to add a phone number and a mailing address to give the addressee a choice. Sign and date the document. You may send it via certified mail if you need to obtain a receipt (when sending documentation to a business, court, or government agency) or simply compose an email which is a better option if you are sending multiple copies of documents to various individuals and entities.