What is the purpose of the salutation in a letter?

The purpose of the salutation in a letter is to address the recipient directly. This part of the letter establishes a personal connection and sets the tone for the communication. A well-crafted salutation not only specifies who the letter is intended for but also shows respect and consideration for the recipient. For instance, using appropriate titles and names acknowledges the recipient’s status or relationship to the sender, which can be essential in professional settings such as the Occupational English Test context.

The other choices do not align with the primary function of a salutation. A closing statement would typically signal the end of the letter, while summarizing the main content is more relevant to the body of the letter, and introducing additional topics would usually take place within the body as well. Thus, the salutation plays a crucial role in initiating the communication effectively.