Which of the following is NOT considered a general element of a letter?

The correct answer is that initials are not considered a general element of a letter. In the context of letter writing, the foundational elements typically include the date, salutation, and body.

The date establishes when the letter is written, providing context and a time frame for the communication. The salutation serves as a polite greeting to the recipient, setting the tone for the correspondence. The body of the letter contains the main message, where the writer conveys information, expresses concerns, or makes requests.

Initials, while they may appear in some types of letters (such as after the signature to indicate authorship), are not universally recognized as a core component of all letters. Instead, they are more relevant in specific contexts, such as in formal letters to denote who prepared the document or in internal communications. Therefore, initials do not meet the criteria of general elements commonly found in letters.