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BizWritingTip response: Although the notation in emails is Cc, this is considered outdated in business letters.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