[Smeaphvalialm]

how should one make dua? i have been told once should begin and end dua with durood shareef and praising almighty Allah (is this called hamd?). However at the mosque i see that the imam recites something along the lines of "alhamdulillahi rabil alameen, waslatu waslamu....(and mursaleen is in there somwhere)" i would like to ask what is this called? and where can i find it?

thanks, much appreciated