Writing Style – C or c. or Copy to
BizWritingTip reader: “Can you let me know what the new format is to copy someone on a business letter? Is it C: or c:?”
BizWritingTip response: Although the notation in emails is Cc, this is considered outdated in business letters. The term c.c. was originally used to indicate a carbon copy. We no longer use carbon paper. Some people now refer to c.c. as courtesy copy – whatever that means.
You only need one “c.” Keep in mind the rules for abbreviations. If you are using lower case letters, you need to add periods: c.
Example
c. Susan Smith
However, if your abbreviation is in capital letters – except for a few exceptions – there is no need for a period.
Example
C Susan Smith
Whether you opt for lower case or capital letters is up to you.
A colon (:) is used only with more than one name because you are then creating a list.
Examples
c.: Susan Smith
Jessica Oh
C: Susan Smith
Jessica Oh
Frankly, I don’t like this abbreviation. I prefer to spell it out: Copy to. I think it looks cleaner whether you have only one name or a list.
Examples
Copy to Susan Smith
Copy to: Susan Smith
Jessica Oh