英文书信格式及范文

英文书信格式及范文

一、 英文书信的结构

二、 书信作文的出题形式和写作要领

三、 书信作文练习及其参考范文

书信是重要的交际工具。英文书信分为两大类:公务信件和私人信件。公务信件是单位与单位或单位与个人之间来往的书信,可能是推荐信、求职信、入学申请书、邀请信,或询问、答复、反映意见(如投诉信)等的信件。私人信件是指亲戚朋友之间的通信。这两类书信各有自己的格式。一般说来,私人信件不拘形式,信文多用手写,也可打印;公务信件要求比较严格,必须遵循一定的格式,信文一定要打印。

第一节 英文书信的结构

英文书信一般由以下六部分组成:信头、信内地址、称呼、正文、结尾、签名。

5.1.1 信头(Heading)

信头是指发信人的地址和日期,通常写在第一页的右上角。行首可以齐头写,也可以逐行缩进写。地址的书写顺序由小到大:门牌号、街道、城市、省(州)、邮编、国名,最后写发信日期。私人信件一般只写寄信日期即可。例如:

123 Tianhe Road

Tianhe District

Guangzhou 510620

Guangdong Province

P. R. C.

Jan. 8, 2010

5.1.2 信内地址(Inside Address)

信内地址要写收信人的姓名和地址。在公务信件中要写明这一项,在私人信件中,这一项常常省略。该项写在写信日期下一行的左上角,格式与寄信人地址一样。

5.1.3 称呼(Salutation)

称呼是对收信人的称谓,应与左边线对齐,写在收信人姓名、地址下面1-2行处。在称呼后,英国人常用逗号,美国人则常用冒号。在私人信件中可直呼收信人的名字,但公务信件中一定要写收信人的姓。大部分信件在称呼前加“Dear”。如:

Dear Professor/Prof. Bergen:

Dear Dr. Johnson,

对不相识的人可按性别称呼:

Dear Sir: 或Dear Madam: Dear Ladies。

如果不知收信人的性别则可用Dear Sir or Madam:

5.1.4 正文(Body of Letter)

正文是书信的主体。与中文信件不同的是,英文书信的正文的开头不是先写一些问候语,再阐明写信的目的,而是直接说明写信人的身份及写信的目的,然后提出写信人的情况、想法或要求,并加以必

要的解释或说明。英文书信陈述目的时,应该直截了当,意思明确,层次清楚,言简意赅。

书信正文的第一句话或第一段,通常被称为起首语。一般说来,人们习惯用一些客套的写法作为书信正文的起始,即先将对方来信的日期、主题加以简单描述,以便使对方一看便知该信是回答哪一封信的。如果是第一次给别人写信,也可用开头语作必要的自我介绍,并表明自己写信的主要目的。

5.1.5 结尾礼词(Complimentary Close)

公务信件的结尾礼词包含两部分:发信人的结尾套语与署名。结尾套语写在签名上面一行,第一个字母要大写,套语结尾后面要加逗号。在公务信件中,发信人常用的结尾套语有:

Yours truly, Yours sincerely, Respectfully yours, Cordially yours, Yours cordially等。

私人信件中,发信人常用的结尾套语有:

Sincerely yours, Lovely yours, Your lovely, Your loving son/daughter等。

5.1.6 签名(Signature)

写信人的签名常位于结尾礼词正下方一二行。除非是给很熟悉的人写信,签名一般须写出全名。签名常常较潦草,不易辨认,因此在签名的正下方须打印出全名。

第二节 书信作文的出题形式和写作要领

19xx年到20xx年1月之间的四级考试作文题中,书信作文共出

现两次(20xx年6月和20xx年1月)。下面,我们先来看看20xx年6月四级考试的作文题:

Directions: For this part, you are allowed thirty minutes to write a letter. Suppose you are Zhang Ying. Write a letter to Xiao Wang, a schoolmate of yours who is going to visit you during the week-long holiday. You should write at least 120 words according to the suggestion given below in Chinese:

1. 表示欢迎

2. 提出对度假安排的建议

3. 提醒应注意的事项

A Letter to a Schoolmate

June 23, 2001

Dear Xiao Wang,

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________.

Yours,

Zhang Ying

从上面的例子可见,书信作文不仅给出正文部分的内容的提纲,而且还给出书信各部分的结构的框架。也就是说,我们只要考虑如何表达提纲部分的内容,而不用考虑书信的结构。

在写书信作文时,首先要把书信正文的提纲内容细化,扩展成更

细的英文提纲,然后用简洁、明了、礼貌、正确和得体的语言表达出细化了的提纲内容。例如前面的那封信就可以列出下面的提纲: Topic: A Letter to a SchoolmateQuestion: What are the holiday arrangements and points for attention?

Outline:I. Extending my welcomeII. Holiday schedule1. 1st day – campus2. 2nd day – the art gallery & music hall3. 3rd day – mountain climbing4. next 3 days – other places of interest (Swan Cave, Golden Lake ?)5. Last day -- departureIII. Points for attention1. Train number & time of arrival2. SunglassesIV. Looking forward to seeing you.Introduction Body 1Body 2Conclusion

范文:

A Letter to A Schoolmate

June 23, 2001

Dear Xiao Wang,

I’m very glad to learn that you’re going to visit me during the week-long holiday. My parents will also be happy to see you again. I am sure you will enjoy every minute here.

I have arranged our schedule for the holiday as follows. On the first day you arrive, I’ll show you around our campus. On the second day, we’ll visit the art gallery and the music hall. Next day, we’ll climb a hill in the northeastern part of the city. On the top of the hill, we can have a wonderful bird’s eye view of the city. During the next

three days, we’ll make some short trips to some places of interest nearby, such as the Swan Cave, the Golden Lake, etc. On the last day, I’ll see you off at the railway station.

Please remember to call and tell me your train number and time of arrival so that I can meet you at the railway station. By the way, it’s very hot here and we have a lot of sunshine, so don’t forget to wear you sunglasses.

I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely yours,

Zhang Ying

写信日期称呼正文第一段:表示欢迎正文第2段:活动安排第一天的安排第二天的安排第三天的安排第4-6天的安排第七天:送行正文第三段(注意事项): 注意事项一注意事项二结束语结尾礼词签名 上面举的是私人信件的例子,下面我们再来看一封投诉信(Letter of Complaint)。

投诉信的目的是为了让收信人读信后同情你的遭遇,解决你所遇到的问题。所以写投诉信时应该实事求是地反映情况,注意措辞,不使用过多的讽刺或责备的语言,也不要因为发泄怒气而离题,以避免引起收信人的不信任或反感。

一般而言,投诉信包括以下内容:提出要求和理由;解释详细的情况;把请求具体化以及希望收信人采取行动的日期等。例如:

September 1, 2001

Dear Sir or Madam:

I’m writing to complain about a typewriter I bought seven months ago.

In February of 2001 I bought a Jones Typewriter, Portable Special Model, at ABC Store, I had used it only a few days when the space bar broke.

I took it to a local shop, they told me it was factory defect and suggest I take it back to ABC. ABC accepted the machine and sent the part in. I waited three months, and since your company did not send a replacement, they let me have the space bar from another typewriter. Now, six months later, it has broken again. I took it back to ABC. They are no longer carrying your typewriter, but they assured me that the guarantee is still good and suggested that I write you for further instructions as to what steps to take.

I will appreciate anything you can do to help us on this matter. Respectfully,

(Signature)

James Bergen

写信日期 称呼正文第一段:表明写信的目的正文第二段:具体说明购买产品的时间、地点及出现的问题第三段:说明尝试的解决方法 第四段:说明尝试的解决方案无效,请求帮助结尾礼词签名打印

的姓名

这是一封态度冷静、措辞有理、有节的投诉售后服务不周的信。由于这类信涉及经销商(厂家)和卖方,因此,投诉信中写明了以下详细的情况:

1) 购物的时间:In February of 2001

2) 购物地点: at ABC Store

3) 产品型号:Jones Typewriter, Portable Special Model

4) 使用时间:I had used it only a few days;six months later

5) 主要问题:The space bar broke

6) 产生问题的原因:factory defect

7) 为什么向你方反映:

They are no longer carrying your typewriter, but they assured us that the guarantee is still good and suggested that I write you for further instructions as to what steps to take. (商店已没有贵公司的打字机,但他们让我相信,保修卡仍有效,并建议我写信给贵公司以寻求解决办法) 此外,写信人还用了礼貌的结束语:

I will appreciate anything you can do to help us on this matter. (贵公司在这件事上给我的任何帮助都将令我不胜感激)

小结:1)英文书信的结构;2)书信作文的出题形式;3)书信作文的写作要领。

下面我们进行写作练习。我将给大家一个作文题,请大家根据这一讲的内容,在30分钟内完成。大家在写作的过程中要注意审题,

考虑文章的结构、采用的起首语和结束语等。

练习五:

Directions: For this part, you are allowed thirty minutes to write a letter. Suppose you are Xiao Li. Write a letter to Xiao Zhang, a roommate of yours who is a heavy smoker. You should write at least 120 words according to the suggestion given below in Chinese:

1. 吸烟已成为宿舍的一大问题

2. 吸烟的危害

3. 建议戒烟

A Letter to a Roommate

March 16, 2002

Dear Xiao Zhang,

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________. Yours sincerely,

Xiao Li

参考文章:

A Letter to a Roommate

March 16, 2002

Dear Xiao Zhang,

Recently I have noticed that you have been smoking heavily, which is becoming a serious problem. As long as you are in, our bedroom is filled with that terrible smell. The ashtray always overflows with cigarette butts.

Your are ruining your health, destroying brain cells which can never be replaced, not to mention the damage to your lungs and windpipes. Smoking, especially heavy smoking, correlates highly with lung cancer. It is possible that you'll be caught up with it. I'm not scaring you. Besides, smoking is also harmful to the health of our roommates and the friendship among us. The roommates avoid being in the bedroom for fear of being polluted. As a result, the brotherhood among roommates is gradually fading.

If I were you, I would try to get rid of the bad habit. It is not difficult to break away from it if you are really determined to quit. Remember 'Where there is a will, there is a way'. I will always be there to help, if you need.

Yours sincerely,

Xiao Li

英语四级考试英语四级书信写作常用套句

It is so great to hear from you again.

It is a great pleasure for me to …

With great delight I learned that …

I must apologize for not writing to you sooner.

建议:

In my experience, it seems that _______ would make sense in your situation

In my opinion, it would be wise for you to take the following actions: 感谢:

I truly appreciate your kindness.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for...

道歉:

I apologize most sincerely for...

I am so sorry to have put you through so much trouble...

邀请:

We would be honored to have you there with us...

I will cover all the expense involved.

抱怨:

I very much regret to have to inform you that...

We will appreciate your willingness to make up for the loss

I hope that the above situation will be improved as soon as possible 咨询:

I would like to request some information about...

Should I need to send further materials, please let me know.

求职:

In anwser to your advertisement a post as … in your office.

I hope I may be granted an interview…

英文书信不论是商业信、社交信或朋友间的通信,依据习惯,大体都有六部分组成。即:

信头(heading)

信内地址(inside address)

称呼(salutation)

正文(body)

结尾语(complimentary close)

签名(signature)

1.信头(heading)

英语书信的信头包括发信人的地址和发信的具体日期两部分。信头放在信纸的右上角,一般分行写出。要先写发信人地址,再写发信的日期。写发信地址时依据从小到大的原则,即:先写门牌号码、街道名或路名,再写区(县)及所在市名称,然后是省或州、郡名称,最后再写上国家的名称。日期的顺序是先写月份再写哪一日然后是年份。需写邮政编码,邮政编码写在城市名称后边,用逗号隔开。

信头不能越过信纸中间而写到信纸的左上面。另外需要注意的是,通常在写地址时,第一行写门牌号和街名,第二行写地区名,第三行是日期。一般信头每行末不用标点符号,但每行中间应用的标点不可少,城区名和邮政编码之间,日月和年份之间要用逗号隔开。

信头一般不要写得太高,信头的上面要留些空白。

信头的书写格式有两种:并列式和斜列式。所谓并列式是指信头各行开头上下排列整齐。而所谓斜列式是下一行开头较上一行的开头向右移一至两个字母的位置。如:

并列式:

6P Park Ave.

New York; NY 11215, U.S.A.

December 1, 1999

斜列式:

6P Park AVe.

New york, NY 11215, U.S.A

December 1, 1993

2.信内地址(inside address)

信内地址包括收信人的姓名称呼和地址两部分。社交的私人信件信内地址是省略的。信内地址的位置位于信头的左下方,它的开始行低于信头的结尾行,位于信纸中央的左边。

信内地址先写收信人的头衔和姓名,再写地址,地址排列次序同信头一样。信内地址的书写格式也有两种:并列式和斜列式。一般来讲,信头和信内地址所用的格式总是保持一致的。标点符号的使用也与信头一样。

关于信内地址对收信人的头衔和姓名的称呼一般有以下几种情况:

无职称的男子用Mr.(加姓)

已婚的女子用Mrs.(加女子丈夫的姓)

未婚的女子用Miss

婚姻状况不明的女子用MS.

博士或医生用Dr.(Doctor)

有教授职称的用Prof.(Professor)

总经理、校长、会长、总统用Pres.(President)

3.称呼(salutation)

称呼是对收信人的尊称语,自成一行,与信内地址上下排齐。在美国用“My Dear”比用“D ear”还要客气,而英国的用法恰巧相反。对于一个陌生的人通信一般用“Dear Sir”或“D ear Madam”。另外需要注意的是称呼后面用逗号。

4.正文(body)

正文是书信的核心部分。正文的写作必须注意以下几点:

(1)正文从低于称呼一至二行处写起,每段第一行向内缩进约五个字母,转行顶格。正文 也采用并列式的写法,即每行都顶格,但段与段之间中间要空出两三行表示分段。

(2)对于非正式的书信,除客气外,没有什么一定的规则。但究竟怎样的措辞,也应事先 想好。

(3)对于非常正式的书信,要知道开头句是很重要的。另外,信的内容中的每个段落 ,只能有一个中心思想,这样看信的人可以清楚、明白你所要表达的内容。为了表达的清楚,还要尽可能地用短句,少用长句、难句。段落也宜短不宜长,尤其开头和结尾两段更应简短。

(4)潦草的字同不整洁的衣服一样不雅观,书写一定要整齐规范。拼写也不能出现错误。 对拿不准的词一定要求助于字典。

(5)凡正式的书信,我们应将该信的全部内容写在一张信纸上。若一张不够,可用同样质 地大小的信纸继续书写,但若仅多出一两行则设法排得紧些放在一张上,或平均分为两页也好。信要写得美观大方。

(6)正式的书信,词语要庄重,决不可用俗语和省笔字。

5.结尾语(complimentary close)

结尾语就是结尾的客套语。一般写于正文下空一两行后,从信纸中央处起笔写,第一个字母大写,末尾用逗号。结尾语措辞的变化依据情况而定,通常有以下几种:

(1)写给单位、团体或不相识的人的信用:

Yours (very) truly,(Very) Truly yours

Yours (very) faithfully,(Very) Faithfully yours,

(2) 写给尊长上级的信可用:

Yours (very )respectfully,

Yours (very )obediently,

Yours gratefully,

Yours appreciatively,

也可以将Yours 放在后面。

(3)写给熟人或朋友的信可用:

Yours,Yours ever,Yours fraternally,

Yours cordially,Yours devotedly,

也可以将Yours 放在后面。

(4)给亲戚或密友的信可用:

Yours,Yours ever,Yours affectionately,

Yours devoted friend,

Lovingly yours,

Yours loving son (father,mother,nephew……),

以上各种情况 yours 无论放在前面或是放在后面都行,但不可缩写或省去。

6.签名(signature)

签名是在结尾客套语的下面,稍偏于右,这样末一个字可以接近空白而和上面的正文一样齐。签名当用蓝钢笔或圆珠笔,不能用打字机打。签名上面可以用打字机打出所在公司单位名称,下面也可打出职位。写信人为女性,则可在署名前用括号注明Mrs.或Miss。

签名的格式不能常变换。如一封签G·Smith,另一封签George Smith,第三封用G·B·Smit h。男子签字前不可用Mr.、Prof.或Dr.字样。

(二)英文书信信封的写法(superscription)

英文书信信封的写法同中文也不一样。具体来讲,英文书信应这样安排信封内容。

1.寄信人姓名地址写在信封的左上角。 收信人的姓名地址写在信封中间靠下或靠右地方。姓名要单独成行。姓名地址的写法同信头(heading)和信内地址(inside address)一样。所用格式(并列式或斜列式)也同信内的安排一致。注意写上邮政编码。

2.信封左下角可以写些说明语。如写上General Delivery(平信)、Registered(挂号 信)、Express(快件)、Air mail(航空)、Personal(亲启)、Please Forward(请较交)、Prin ted Matter(印刷品)、Book Post(图书邮件)、Manuscripts(稿件)、Photos Enclosed(内有照片)、Top Secret(绝密件)等。

3.若信封通过邮局寄给第三者转交给收信人,则需在收信人的姓名下面写明转交人的姓名,并在前面加上c/o(care of)。如:

Mr.Thomas Green

C/O Mr.William Scott

101 St.Lawrence Ave.

Montreal 18,Canada。

4.Jr.(Junior)、Sr.(Senior)可以和Mr. (Mister)一起用,以示父子的分别。中国人父子不同名,则没必要用了。另外Sr.一般是省去不用的

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