1、第第1页页Fundamentals of Writing English Business Letters英文商务信函写作基本知识英文商务信函写作基本知识 第第2页页1.1 1.1 Introduction(介绍)介绍)目目标标:掌掌握握商商务务信信函函写写作作要要求求、写写作作标标准准、以以及及信封和信函基本组成和行文要求。信封和信函基本组成和行文要求。第第3页页1.2 Requirements for Business Letter Writers(商务信函写作要求)(商务信函写作要求)要写就一封成功商务信函,需要起草人具备以下条件:(1)精通英语(Good command of Engl
2、ish)(2)通晓外贸理论和实务(Knowledge of business theory and practice)(3)通晓术语(Knowledge of technical terms)(4)通晓人心理(Knowledge of psychology)(5)熟悉推销艺术(Skills in salesmanship)第第4页页1.3 Seven Guidelines of Writing English Business 1.3 Seven Guidelines of Writing English Business LettersLetters(英文商务信函写作七标准)(英文商务信函写
3、作七标准)(英文商务信函写作七标准)(英文商务信函写作七标准)“7C标准”,即清楚、简练、正确、详细、礼貌、体谅和完整。1.清楚(清楚(Clarity)商务信函应使读者一目了然,没有艰涩难懂或产生误会之处。第第5页页2.简练(简练(Conciseness)言简意赅地表示所需表示意思,同时又无损于书信完整和礼貌。3.正确(正确(Correctness)正确商务信函不但表现为语法恰当,标点符号和词汇拼写正确,还要求叙述正确、提供事实和数字无误、写作格式规范、技巧利用恰当以及商业术语正确。第第6页页4.详细(详细(Concreteness)商务信函必须防止采取含糊、大约和抽象词语和语句,应尽可能利用
4、详细事实和数字,普通使用主动语态来陈说内容。5.礼貌(礼貌(Courtesy)在商务信函写作过程中,及时是礼貌之首。另外,应防止使用可能激怒、伤害对方言辞或语气,语气上要尽可能站在客户立场上做到互惠互利。第第7页页6.体谅(体谅(Consideration)发信人应尽可能从收信人立场来考虑问题,在分析对方会怎样了解信息基础上,提供其所需要信息。7.完整(完整(Completeness)商务信函必须力争完整,要包含写信人希望收信人做出主动反应一切情况,或是回答来信所提出全部问题和要求。第第8页页1.4 Addressing Envelopes(信封写法)(信封写法)在寄往国外信函信封上,收信人和
5、收信人地址以及寄信人和寄信人地址书写位置,都不一样于国内信封写法,见图1-1。第第9页页图图1-1 寄往国外信函信封写法寄往国外信函信封写法General Trading Co.28 North RoadBeijing 100020P.R.China Overseas Trading Co.52 Hooigracht Street Amsterdam,the Netherlands第第10页页注意事项:注意事项:(1)寄信人姓名和地址应写在信封左上角,且务必与封内地址在形式和标点上一致。(2)收信人姓名和地址写在信封中下偏右位置,收信人姓名和国名须分行书写。第第11页页(3)寄信人和收信人姓名
6、和地址书写次序是:先写姓名后写地址。地址书写应由小至大,先写机构名称,再依次写门牌、街道、城市、州/省及邮政编码,最终书写国名。(4)关于信件类别、投递方式及其它事项说明,写在信封左边寄信人地址下,或写在左下角。如怀疑信件能否送交收信人,可在信封最下边标明:IF UNDELIVERED PLEASE RETURN TO XXX,即:如无法投递,请退交XXX。第第12页页1.5 Parts of English Business Letters(英文商务信函组成部分)(英文商务信函组成部分)1.信头(信头(Letter head)信头也称为信笺抬头,由寄信人企业名称、地址、电话号码、E-mail
7、地址和传真组成。信头通常位于信纸最上端。第第13页页2.日期(日期(Date)日期顶边写在信纸左边或右边,距离信头三到四行。注意事项:注意事项:(1)年份必须全部写出。(2)月份最好用英文全拼,不提倡用缩略式。(3)日期能够用序数词或基数词。(4)年份前要加逗号。(5)日期切忌全部用数字表示。第第14页页3.信函编号(信函编号(Reference number)给信函编号是为了便于往来书信存挡和查阅,普通采取Your Ref.(你方编号)或Our Ref.(我方编号)。信函编号通常放在日期上方或与日期平齐靠左位置,打上以下字样:Your Ref.:Our Ref.:第第15页页4.信内地址(信
8、内地址(Inside address)信内地址包含收信人姓名、头衔、单位名称、营业地址以及城市、国家名称和邮政编码。收信人姓名和地址应和信封上内容相同。信内地址普通在信纸左上角低于日期地方。书写次序是由小单位到大单位。每项内容单独成行:Mr.Francis Lawrence Vice President Swinton Co.87 Unico Avenue Toronto,ST 9878 Canada第第16页页5.称呼(称呼(Salutation)称呼写在信内地址下面空两行处。常见正式称呼有:Dear Mr.Smith,Dear Mrs.Smith,Dear Miss Brown,Dear
9、Ms.White。假如称呼多个男性,则在姓名前用Mr.复数形式Messrs。Mrs.没有复数形式,假如称呼多个女性,则在姓名前用Mmes.,如Mmes.White and Gray。写信给一家企业时,通惯用Dear Sirs,也能够用Gentlemen。第第17页页6.事由(事由(Subject)事由是为对方在阅读信正文以前对信主题、内容有一个了解,也便于登记归档和查卷。写在称呼下面、信中间位置。事由下面能够划线,也能够不划线,有时可全部用大写字体。比如:Subject:Mens BicyclesRe:Sales Confirmation No.2536Your Order No.:Refer
10、ence:第第18页页7.信函正文(信函正文(Body of the letter)信函正文是商务信函中最主要部分,要遵照“7C标准”。正文普通遵照三段式格式。第一段普通是引入主题,第二段详细讨论,第三段以总结或提议来结束全文。需两页或更多信纸时,在前一页最终一行右边写上to be continued。续页应采取不带信头信纸,并注明收信人名称、页数和日期。如:Mr.John Smith,Page 2,June 3,第第19页页8.信尾客套语(信尾客套语(Complimentary close)信尾客套语是一个礼貌,是结束信函正式方式,类似汉字信函中“此致,敬礼”等。惯用有:Sincerely,
11、Sincerely yours,Yours sincerely,Best regards;更亲切一点有:Cordially,Cordially yours;再正式一些有:Yours truly,Respectfully yours,Yours faithfully。注意,只有第一个字母大写。普通打印在正文下面空一行处。第第20页页9.署名(署名(Signature)署名通常在信尾客套语下空三行位置。署名可采取不一样写法,普通包含:企业名称、写信人手写署名、写信人打印署名、写信人头衔。有时,也能够不写企业名称。比如:Yours truly,General Trading Co.(Signatur
12、e)John SmithSales Manager第第21页页10.经办人代号(经办人代号(Reference notation)经办人代号是提供信件产生信息资料,便于必要时查对之用。经办人代号是由信件口授者和秘书姓名首字母组成,用冒号或斜线号分开,可用以下方式书写:FCM/HL,FCM:HL,FCM/hl,fcm:hl第第22页页11.附件(附件(Enclosure)假如信封内除信纸外,尚附有其它文件,能够在信中说明附件份数和内容。当附件只有一件时,注明Enclosure 或Encl.即可;一件以上时,要加上编码,方便收信人识别,用Enclosures.说明。比如:Enclosures 3:
13、1.Birth Certificate2.Visa3.Letter of Reference第第23页页12.抄送(抄送(Carbon copy/C.C.)发信人若需把此信抄送给相关单位,可在附件下方即信左下端打上C.C.,然后打上抄送单位名称,比如:C.C.:The Bank of ChinaCopies to:directorsCc to:CEOCopy to:Sales Manager第第24页页13.附笔(附笔(Postscript/P.S.)若写完信后还须附加项目时,就需补述,这类似于汉字信中附言。有时并非真正将忘了写事情补上,而是有意引发对方注意。附笔被放在抄送下方。在写完P.S.
14、之后,有时也把签字人姓名首字母缩写附在最终。第第25页页1.6 The Opening and Conclusion of English Business Letters(英文商务信函开头和结尾)(英文商务信函开头和结尾)信函开头应该直入主题,要防止空洞。依据书写信函开头应该直入主题,要防止空洞。依据书写商务信函目标不一样,开头普通分为两大类:一商务信函目标不一样,开头普通分为两大类:一是回复信件;二是主动与对方联络。是回复信件;二是主动与对方联络。对于回复信件,可采取以下方式开头。对于回复信件,可采取以下方式开头。1.英文商务信函开头英文商务信函开头第第26页页(1)感激对方来信)感激对方
15、来信 We thank you for your letter(inquiry,telex,e-mail,fax etc.)of Thank you for We appreciate We were pleased to receive Please accept our thanks for 第第27页页(2)对来信进行回复)对来信进行回复We are pleased to reply to your letter(inquiry,telex,e-mail,fax etc.)of In answer to In response to In reply to 第第28页页(3)回复来信中相
16、关问题)回复来信中相关问题With reference to your letter(inquiry,telex,e-mail,fax etc.)ofIn reference to Referring to We refer to 第第29页页(4)回复来信中提出要求或指示)回复来信中提出要求或指示As requested in your letter of As required As instructed According to the request/instruction In accordance with In compliance with In conformity with
17、 第第30页页(5)表示满意和欣喜)表示满意和欣喜We were gratified to learn from your letter of thatWe were glad It was a pleasure第第31页页(6)表示遗憾和诧异)表示遗憾和诧异We regret to learn from your letter of that We were sorry We were surprised 第第32页页对于主动和对方联络商务信函,能够用以下方式开头。Your company has been recommended to us by We have learnt from t
18、hat The name of your reputable firm has come to us throughWe have had your name and address given to us by(1 1)经过他人介绍了解到对方)经过他人介绍了解到对方)经过他人介绍了解到对方)经过他人介绍了解到对方第第33页页(2)对以前信函补充或确认)对以前信函补充或确认Further to our letter of 对对我方某月某日信函我方某月某日信函补补充以下充以下 With further reference to our letter of Confirming our lette
19、r/conversation of 我方确我方确认认某月某日信函某月某日信函/会会谈谈We confirm that out letter of and 我方确认某日信函并我方确认某日信函并 With further reference to 对对深入深入补补充以下充以下 第第34页页(3)通知对方一些情况)通知对方一些情况This letter is to inform you that We are pleased We have the honor We have the pleasure informing you that 兹荣幸地通知贵方兹荣幸地通知贵方 We regret to
20、inform you that 我们遗憾地通知贵方我们遗憾地通知贵方 第第35页页2.英文商务信函结尾英文商务信函结尾 商务信函结尾应该简练、中肯,与写信主旨相符。依据是否需要对方回复把结尾分为两类。第第36页页对于期待对方回复信件,能够用以下方式结尾。对于期待对方回复信件,能够用以下方式结尾。We shall be glad to have a/an/your reply(answer,favorable news,comment etc.)We hope to be favored with We shall be obliged for We are waiting for We sha
21、ll appreciate We look forward to 第第37页页对于期待对方回复信件,能够用以下方式结尾。对于期待对方回复信件,能够用以下方式结尾。对于期待对方回复信件,能够用以下方式结尾。对于期待对方回复信件,能够用以下方式结尾。We trust to hear from you about/concerning/in this respect/in this matter.We hope to hear We shall be glad to hear Please let us hear Will you let us hear 第第38页页对于无须对方回复信函,能够用以下
22、两种方式结尾:对于无须对方回复信函,能够用以下两种方式结尾:对于无须对方回复信函,能够用以下两种方式结尾:对于无须对方回复信函,能够用以下两种方式结尾:(1 1)表示感激或希望继续合作意愿)表示感激或希望继续合作意愿)表示感激或希望继续合作意愿)表示感激或希望继续合作意愿We thank you for the services you rendered in this matter.Thank you for your attention to this matter.We appreciate your patronage and hope that the pleasant relati
23、onship established between us will continue.Your favorable cooperation will be greatly appreciated.第第39页页(2)表示歉意)表示歉意We apologize for the delay in replying to your letter.We regret the trouble we are causing you.Please accept our apology for the inconvenience we have caused you.We regret that we are
24、 unable to be of assistance to you.We regret that we cant meet your requirements.第第40页页1.7 Useful Sentences in Common Business 1.7 Useful Sentences in Common Business LettersLetters(普通商务信函中实用语句)(普通商务信函中实用语句)(普通商务信函中实用语句)(普通商务信函中实用语句)1.回信回信We are offering a sound article at popular price,and we shoul
25、d appreciate an opportunity to substantiate our claims.In answer to your favor of the 8th June,we inform you that we are unable to take the goods offered by you.In answer to your inquiry for bran,we offer you 40 tons of the same.第第41页页2.收讫收讫We acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday,and grat
26、efully accept the appointment on the terms you mention.We acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 15th inst.Kindly acknowledge receipt,and have the goods sent by the last steamer in December.We duly received your favor of the 25th June,contents of which we note with thanks.第第42页页3.通知通知We inform yo
27、u that I have now removed my factory to the above address.Having established ourselves in this city,as merchants and general agents,we take the liberty of acquainting you of it,and solicit the preference of your order.We are pleased to inform you that our business will be turned into a limited compa
28、ny on the 1st August.第第43页页4.确认确认In confirmation of my cable today,I regret to state that the factory was completely destroyed by fire last night.We confirm our call of last week respecting our offers to you.We confirm our respects of the 3rd June,and inform you that your consignment has duly arrive
29、d.Confirming our letter of last week,we ask you to appoint an early interview with our representative.第第44页页5.愉快欣慰愉快欣慰We have the pleasure to inform you that we will forward by tomorrows mail to the Bank five bonds of USD500 each.We have the pleasure of enclosing herewith the documents.We have pleas
30、ure in enclosing herewith a Bill of Lading covering 50 bales of cotton.第第45页页6.附函附函We enclose for realization drafts as per the list at foot.Enclosed please find the invoice of 80 bales wool bought by your order.Enclosed please find three orders for immediate attention.An order form is enclosed.Fill
31、 it out and attach your check.第第46页页7.迅即迅即Kindly see the empty sacks are returned as promptly as possible.The goods were at once dispatched by rail to your address.Please give us forwarding instructions promptly.Please deliver these goods with all speed to the London dock.第第47页页8.依照、关于依照、关于In accord
32、ance with your letter of yesterday,I am sending tonight 15 cases of whisky.Referring to our conversation of this morning,we enclose a pamphlet describing our new articles.With reference to your letter of the 16th inst.,we are glad to inform you that there has been a great demand for the articles.第第4
33、8页页9.期满、到期期满、到期The steamer will be due in Yokohama on the morning of the 15th May.I received in due course your letter of the 28th June.We have duly received your valued favor of the 16th May.第第49页页10.抱歉、遗憾抱歉、遗憾We are sorry to learn from your letter of the 10th June that your customer is still dissa
34、tisfied with the condition.We are sorry that we have taken the liberty in writing you prematurely on the subject.I am regretted to have to inform you that two cases of them are so bad in quality.第第50页页11.荣幸荣幸We feel specially honored to be given this opportunity to meet such a nice group of distingu
35、ished people like you.Today,we feel very much honored to have Prof.Wilson with us.第第51页页12.感激感激We take this opportunity to thank our patrons and friends for the liberal support extended to us during our business career.We appreciate your telling us about the defective sets,and are glad to make thing
36、s right.While thanking you for your valued support,I wish to ask for a continuance of your confidence in the new company.第第52页页13.提供服务提供服务We wish to assure you that we appreciate an opportunity afforded us for service.In the meantime,please be assured of our most cordial good wishes and of our desir
37、e to be of service.We thank you for the opportunity to be of service to you.We are always pleased to serve you at any time.第第53页页14.希望、愿望希望、愿望We hope to hear from you favorably.We hope that you will give this matter prompt attention.We hope this action will meet with your approval.第第54页页15.留心署名留心署名W
38、e would ask you kindly to note our respective signatures given below.I request your attention to his signature,appended below.第第55页页16.诚请回信诚请回信Then send back the postcard and well gladly tell you without a bit of obligation,of course.A postcard is enclosed for your convenience in requesting further
39、information.Make out your check for USD50,put it in the enclosed envelope,and start it on its way to us at once.第第56页页1.8 Formats of English Business Letters(英文商务信函格式)(英文商务信函格式)n 商务信函要达到良好沟通效果,一方面要撰写恰如其分句子和段落,其次还必须运用恰当有效信函格式。英文商务信函有三种常用格式:缩行式(the indented form),齐头式(the block form)和修正齐头式(the modified
40、 block form)。第第57页页(1)缩行式)缩行式 如图1-2所表示,缩行式信函日期行、结尾客套语、作者姓名和头衔都从所在行中间偏右位置开始写,事由行居中。每个段落第一行从左边界空5个字母位置开始,其它各行都从左边顶头写。第第58页页图图1-2 缩行式信函格式缩行式信函格式LetterheadOur Ref No.:Your Ref No.:June 1,International Investment Ltd.77 Pearl RoadSwanton,Manchester,EnglandDear Madam,.Yours sincerely Zhaou Hua Zhou Hua Ma
41、nager第第59页页(2)齐头式)齐头式 如图1-3所表示,齐头式信函每一行都从左面边界开始写,前面不留空格。第第60页页图图1-3齐头式信函格式齐头式信函格式LetterheadOur Ref No.:Your Ref No.:June 1,International Investment Ltd.77 Pearl RoadSwanton,Manchester,EnglandDear Madam,.Yours sincerelyZhou HuaZhou HuaManager第第61页页(3)修正齐头式)修正齐头式 如图1-4所表示,修正齐头式信函类似于缩行式信函,但段落首行不缩进。第第62页页图图1-4修正齐头式信函格式修正齐头式信函格式LetterheadOur Ref No.:Your Ref No.:June 1,International Investment Ltd.77 Pearl RoadSwanton,Manchester,EnglandDear Madam,.Yours sincerely Zhou Hua Zhou Hua Manager第第63页页