The General Syntax of a LaTeX File

This is a general syntax of a LaTeX file:

\documentclass[options]{class}
% Further global commands and specifications goes here
\begin{document}
% Text mixed with additional commands of local effect goes here
\end{document}

class:

book, report, article, letter, slides

options:

10pt/11pt/12pt, letterpaper/a4paper, twocolumn, twoside, landscape, draft