英语书信从信封到附言写作指南
下面为大家讲讲英文书信和中文书信从信封到附言写作有那些不同呢？
一、信封
与中文信封相反，英文信封上收信人的地址和姓名写在信封的中间，发信人的地址和姓名写在信封的左上角，或信封背面。英文书信的地址应从小写到大，先写门牌号码，再写街道、城镇、省或州及邮政编码，最后是国家名称。国家名称的每一个字母都要大写。
二、信内
1、信头/个人信头(Letterhead/Personal Letterhead)
公司信纸上一般都印有其名称、地址和联系号码，这就是通常所说的信头。在没有信头的普通信纸上写信，作者就需要写明回邮地址和联系号码。
2、封内日期(Date Line)
封内日期是写信或打字时的日期。封内日期写在信头或作者地址的下两行。
3、封内地址(Inside Address)
封内地址是收信人的地址，包括姓名，职务(如适用)，公司名称(如适用)，街道名称或信箱号，城市，州或省，邮政编码和国家。封内地址通常写在左手边，在日期线和称呼之间。
4、称呼(Salutation)
称呼是一封信开头对收信人的称呼，写在封内地址或提示句下两三行。称呼后可以写冒号或逗号。在商业信函或其他正式书信中，用冒号。
在非正式书信中，称呼后用逗号。(注意：尽量避免使用“To Whom It May Concern”或“Dear Sir or Madam”,因为这种称呼已经过时，并且不很友好。改进方法是争取确定收信人的姓名，或使用“Dear Human Resources Manager”，“Dear Friends”这样的称呼。在给律师或外交领事写信时，可以使用“Esquire”或“Esq.”这样的头衔，但它们不应出现在称呼中。同样，如果收信人的姓名后面有“Jr.”或“Sr.”，如“George Bush, Jr.”也不能把它们包含在称呼中。)
5、头衔(Titles)
除非写信人与收信人熟到可以直呼其名，通常要在收信人名字前加上“Mr.”，“Professor”等表示礼貌的头衔。
6、提示句(选择性)Attention Line(optional)
提示句的用途是指明把信送给某个具体的人或部门处理，尽管信是写给这个组织的。另外，在指明的收信人不在时，它也允许组织中其他人查看信的内容。提示句通常写在封内地址的下两行或封内地址的上面。
7、主题句(选择性)Subject Line(optional)
主题句简要说明信的内容。通常写在封内地址和称呼之间。如果写信人不知道收信人的姓名，也可以用主题句代替称呼。为了收到最佳效果，可以给主题句加下划线，或大写主题句。
8、正文(Body of the Letter)
正文的格式多种多样。商业信函最好使用齐头式。而私人信件通常不用齐头式。在齐头式书信中，全部内容包括日期和信尾问候语，都从左侧顶格开始。段落开头不空格，各段之间空两行。修正齐头式，是使用最为广泛的一种格式，商业和私人信件都可以使用，尽管在私人信件中不一定要写回邮地址和封内地址。使用没有印刷信头的普通信纸时，这种格式最合适。与齐头式不同，发信人地址、日期，信尾问候语和签名都从中间开始写。其余部分从左边开始。
9、写信人签名(Writer’s Identification/ Signture)
写信人的.签名、名字和头衔(如果适用)，写在信尾问候语同侧三四行以下的位置。
10、附注(Notions)
附注写在写信人签名下两行的位置，附注包括参考缩写，附件的数目和内容以及将收到这封信副本的人员名单。附注写在左侧。
11、信尾问候语(Complimentary Closing)
信尾问候语是写在信尾的告别话语，例如“Sincerely”，“Sincerely yours”。通常位于正文两三行以下。第一个单词的第一个字母要大写，最后以逗号结尾。
12、附言(Postscript PS or P.S.)
附言用来说明没有包括在信中的想法和内容。通常在附注下两三行的地方，从左侧顶格写起。在促销和私人信件中，附言也可以用来强调写信人请求收信人采取的行动和做出的考虑
正式书信写作的八个指南
Most everyday writing is casual. Tweets, Facebook updates, holiday cards, friendly emails — these have their own simple etiquette, and we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about them before we lick that stamp or hit send.大部分日常写作都比较随意。社交网站碎碎念，节日贺卡或电子邮件都各有一套，写起来根本不费什么心思。
Sometimes, though, the occasion calls for something more formal. Whether it’s a letter to your political representative about an important issue, a cover letter to a potential boss, or a business proposal letter, these require a bit more care if you’re going to be taken seriously. Here are a few points to keep in mind when you’re writing your own formal letter, whether it will go through the mail or via cyberspace.但有些场合，写作就得正规点。无论是写信给官方代表讨论重大问题，还是向企业老板提交求职信或业务建议书，你都应认真对待。在写正式信函或电邮时，以下几点可以借鉴。
1. Understand your purpose明确目标
Why are you writing? What do you want the reader to do after reading your letter? Do you want to change her mind or convince him to take a specific action? Are you seeking forgiveness? Do you mean to complain about bad service or a faulty product? Are you trying to get hired? What’s the “ask”?为何写信？你期望收信人看完后做什么？你想改变她的决意，还是希望他采取具体措施？抑或你在寻求宽恕？你要投诉糟糕的服务、劣质的产品，还是要谋取职位？你的“请求”是什么？
Once you know this, you can — and should — cut everything out that doesn’t serve that purpose.一旦你明白以上问题，就能撇清所有无关痛痒的事了。
2. Identify your audience定位对象
Knowing your audience helps you choose your language and target your ideas more precisely. I write differently in a letter to another lawyer than I do when the addressee is a non-lawyer executive or even an elderly “pro bono” client. In a letter to the editor, your real audience is the publication’s readers—who are they? Don’t use jargon that your reader won’t understand.明确收信人身份有助于更精准地表达意愿。同一封信，我写给律师是一种措辞，写给非律师出身的总裁、甚或年长的慈善客户，又会是另一种措辞。写信给编辑部，刊物读者才是最终收信人——那么，他们是什么样的`人呢？千万别用读者看不懂的术语。
3. Keep it short短小精练
Most of us endure a constant flood of written communications, and we have a limited amount of time to spend reading it. You therefore have a better chance of being read if you keep your letter to one page. A multi-page letter with long paragraphs and complex sentences looks overwhelming. The busy reader will be tempted to set it aside for when she has more time—and she might never get around to picking it up again. Use short paragraphs, short sentences, short words.多数人周围文字泛滥，根本无法全部读完。因此，人们倾向先查阅较短信函。厚厚一叠长篇大论看上去真的很恐怖。忙碌的人一般会先放一放，等有空再看——而这一等可能意味着石沉大海。所以，写信要简洁精练。
4. Use simple language言简意赅
It’s the writer’s job to be understood. Even if your audience is highly educated, you should avoid big words and long, complex sentences. People aren’t stupid; they’re busy. Make our job easier, and we’re more likely to give your letter the attention it deserves. Formal writing does not require the use of big words. Don’t try to sound sophisticated; try to be clear. Use “ask” instead of “request.” Say “buy” instead of “purchase.” Instead of “enclosed herewith please find,” just say, “I’ve enclosed” or “Here is. . . .”信要让人读懂。哪怕收信人水平很高，也应避免使用行话冗句。人家又不傻，工作这么忙，干净利落点，事情都好办。正式信函不一定要讲套话，不必故作老练，讲清楚就行。用“请”，别用“恳请”；用“买”，别用“购置”；用“附上”或“以下是”，别用“随函附上，请查收”。
5. Lead with the most important point挑明重点
As journalists say, don’t bury your head. Find a way to open with the idea or information that you most want your reader to focus or act on. The first paragraph might be the only one he reads, so don’t hide the “ask” in the last paragraph.如记者所言，不要埋头当鸵鸟。要设法亮出你最希望收信人注意到的信息。收信人可能只浏览第一段，所以，千万别把你的“要求”放到最后一段。
6. Follow the rules遵循格式
There are rules for formatting a business letter. You ignore them at your peril.商业信函有其自身格式，你若无视，一切后果自负。
7. Proofread. Then proofread again检查再检查
No matter how grammatically gifted you are, errors and typos can creep in. When you think you’ve finished writing, read your piece slowly and attentively, watching for those typos. Don’t trust spellcheck. If possible, print a hard copy of your letter and read it—out loud—with a pen in hand, marking those typos, awkward sentences, confusing lines. If it’s really important, have somebody else read it and let you know if you’ve missed something.就算你语法再好，也还会犯个小错、打个错字。信写完后，一定要慢慢细读，查缺补漏。别依赖拼写检查软件，最好对着打印稿检查——读出声来——同时圈出错词烂句。如果信函尤为重要，最好请别人替你再检查检查。
8. Let it cool before sending 三思而后“寄”
Especially if you are writing to persuade or complain, you probably are motivated by some pretty strong feelings. Absolutely write your first draft in the white-hot heat of passion. Express your feelings. Get it all on paper. But then . . . before you print and sign, or hit send, walk away for awhile. Go do something else. Let that heat of passion cool. Then come back and re-read what you’ve written. Is it fair? Is it smart? Is it true? Is it kind? Would you regret having it read on television, in front of your boss and your grandmother? Make the changes that seem appropriate after your emotions have settled.写说服信或投诉信时，你的情绪想必很激动，甚至忿然作色。你洋洋洒洒、一吐为快。但是……在你打印、签名或寄出前，还是先放一放吧。先干点别的， 冷静冷静。回头再读刚刚写的东西，你觉得判断公正么？分析可否理智？是否言如其实？语气妥当与否？如果就这么在电视上、老板或祖母面前读这封信，你会不会后悔？情绪稳定后，做些适当润色吧。
Then, and only then, hit send.然后，也就是万事妥当后，你才可以点击发送。
英语书信写作的指导
—、书信写作要求 书信一般可分为事务信件或公函以及私人信件 一般可分为事务信件或公函以及私人信件
两大类。一般包括以下几个要点：
1) 收信人的姓名和地址;
2) 寄信人的姓名及其与收信人的关系;
3) 寄信人的地址(有时可以省略);
4) 写信的时间;
5) 信的内容。
书信的格式
1) 信头;
2) 称呼;
3) 正文;
4) 结束语;
5) 签名。
2. 书信的种类
1) 邀请信
邀请信有正式和非正式之分，也有介于两者之间者。正式邀请信一般属于公函类，私人邀请信一般属于非正式文体。邀请朋友、熟人参加某一聚会时，再词句上不一定多加斟酌，用词太正规倒显得关系不密切。但是如果与被邀请人不太熟悉的话，最好用正式文体。如虽认识但并不十分了解，文体可介于两个者之间。由此可见，私人邀请究竟用什么文体，关键看与被邀请人之间的亲疏的程度。邀请信要明确写出活动(是晚会、晚餐还是一般的聚会等)、活动的时间地点组织这项活动的理由，有时还应告诉对方可能出席的人，另外一般希望对方给予答复。
(1) 非正式邀请信，如;
26 Coventry St.
London
Sept. 15th, 1999.
Dear Jack,
I am going to the cinema to see the Red River Valley and I have two tickets. Would you like to come? The film starts at 7:30 p.m. Maybe we can meet at the Covent Garden Station at 7:00 p.m. and have a drink before the film starts. Please phone me at home to let me know.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Love
Mary
这封信是写给朋友的，所以用语比较随便，比较口语化。
(2) 正式邀请信，如：
Dear Ms. Gupta;
It’s our great pleasure to announce that Jan. 19th is the 3rd anniversary of the founding of our corporation. We have a small party as follows: 7:00p.m.,Jan. 19th, Room No.123, Kunlun Hotel. At this moment, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our clients for both courtesy and support over the past three years. Please confirm if you plant to attend.
Yours Sincerely,
Lewis
这是一封正式邀请信，十分正规，无论从句式，还是用语都十分讲究。
介于正式和非正式之间的邀请信，如：
No.4 Middle School
Beijing 100034
April 29th,2000
Dear Miss Katherine,
I am very pleased to write to you. My name is Yu Hong and I am monitor of Class One, Grade Three of the No.2 Middle School of Ji‘nan. Last year, you came here to give a speech, which was "Fast Reading". My classmates and I all thank you very much. We will have an English evening at 7:00--9:00 on the evening of May 4th in our classroom. Would you please come and attend the evening party? At the party, we will sing English songs, play games and so on. And we are anxious to invite you to come to sing us an English song. After that we can enjoy the music. We hope to see you soon.
Yours
Yu Hong
这封信是写给一位外籍教师的，这位外籍教师曾经到过这所学校，虽然认识，但并不十分了解。
2)感谢信
感谢信可分为感谢馈赠、感谢款待、感谢帮助、感谢送行和感谢探病等。
感谢信一般包括以下几点：
①对收信人的称谓;
②写信的目的;(Thank you for…)
③致谢并详述所收到的礼物或得到的帮助等;
④结尾及谦称。
如：
Dear Ms. Gupta:
How regretful I must leave you house. Thank you for the many good things you provided. The chess game, tennis match and Mr. Gupta‘s delicious dishes gave me lots of enjoyment. If you came to Beijing for any reason, please come to my family. The kids are looking forward to seeing Aunt Jean. I believe we will have a very happy time.
Yours Sincerely, Lewis
3)求职信
求职信属于公务信函，格式和用词比较规。信的内容大体上分为三部分
①写信的目的，
②自我介绍，
③要求。
注意下面几点：
①写信的目的`要直截了当地在信的开头提出。
②自我介绍部分主要介绍自己的学历、工作经历、解决问题的能力等等。在行文、用词上要表现出自信、恳切的态度，语言简明扼要，突出介绍自己的优点，与众不同的特长或有利条件。还要紧扣用人单位的需求，巧用词语，有国地说服对方，此职非你莫属。
③最后提出进一步联系的途径，如：时间、地点。还可以主动提出接受面试或考核等。
④求职信在写作特点上主要用第一人称以及动词的一般现在时。如：
Ms Li Ling
P.O.Box 231
Beijing
July 10,1999
Dear sir,
I have just read in the newspaper that a secretary of the English language in wanted in your company. I am therefore writing to you to introduce myself. I‘d like to get the job. I am a girl college student of 22 years old. My name is Li Ling. I am studying in the language department. I can speak, read and write English very well. As a second language, I can read and speak a little French. I have some work experience as a typist in my spare time at school, and as a tourist guide during summer holidays. The bosses I worked for were all satisfied with my work. I am sure I‘ll satisfy you as well. You can get more information about my studies and work from the college. I am looking forward to visiting your office at any time for a talk or a test.
Faithfully
Li Ling
3)回信
写回信时应特别注意正确理解写信人的意图、所提问题、必须对写信人的问题给予明确的答复。如下例：
No.1 Middle School of Nanjing,
Jiangsu, China
Jan.23rd, 2000
Dear Jack
Thanks for your letter. Yes, I have some difficulty in learning English. For example, I can‘t tell the difference between written English and spoken English. Sometimes I often make mistakes while speaking to others. I want to improve my spoken English. But I don‘t know how. Would you please give me some advice? As you say, it is really difficult to write toe Chinese characters, but don‘t worry about it. Have you considered doing plenty of practice? And I suggest you write them as much as possible. I think it will be of great help. I‘m looking forward to hearing from you again.
Best wishes.
Yours
Li Ling
原信中问到英语学习的情况，同时征求学习汉语的建议并谈到自己在学习汉语的过程中遇到的问题。回信中对来信中的问题作了详细的回答并给出了建设性的建议。
英语书信写作格式解读
1.信封
英语信封与汉语信封的写法是完全不同的。首先，英语信封与汉语信封上收发人的姓名和地址的位置是不同的。汉语信封将收信人姓名地址写在信封偏左或中央部位，寄信人的姓名和地址写在信封右下方；而将英语信封的发信人姓名和地址写在信封的左上方，收信人的姓名与地址在信封偏右或中央部位。另外，英汉信封上收发信人的姓名地址顺序也完全不同：汉语信封是先写国家名称，然后再从大地方写到小地方直至路名、门牌号，再写收信人姓名；而英语信封正好相反。
第一行：收信人姓名
第二行：住所门牌号，街道名称
第三行：市镇名称及所在地邮政编码
第四行：省州等大地区名称（如果第三行是大城市，这部分也可省去）
第五行：国家名称（寄往国外时需写）
实例：
在写英文姓名时注意：要先写名，再写姓，前面可以用Mr（男士），Mrs（已婚女士），Miss（未婚女士），Ms（不标明婚姻状况的女士），Dr（有博士学位的人），Professor（Prof.）（教授）。路名可用缩略形式： Rd.（Road），St.（Street），Ave.（Avenue大道）。有时在信封左下角可以写上“By Airmail（航空）”，“Printed Matter（印刷品），Registered Mail（挂号信）”等词语，在左下角还可以写“Please do not bend（请勿折叠）”等提示语。
2.私人信件格式
1）信头：发信人地址和日期
这部分中有时可省去发信人地址，但一般要写日期。放在信纸的右上方。
2）称呼：对收信人的尊称
最普通的是Dear，但与Mr，Mrs，Miss等不同的是：Dear后一般用名字，而Mr，Mrs，Miss后不能单独用名字，而只能是姓或姓与名，比如：对John Smith的称呼，应该是Mr Smith，Mr John Smith或 Dear John.称呼后面可用逗号或者冒号。
3）信的正文
4）结尾：发信人对收信人的谦称或敬语。放在信的右下方。
这部分要特别注意英语习惯，不可根据汉语意思写上诸如“此致敬礼”、“祝您健康”之类的中国式的结尾语。常用的英语书信结尾语如下：
写给同龄人或年长的朋友： Yours sincerely，Sincerely yours，Yours等等。
写给好朋友： Love，With love， Best wishes等等。
写给亲戚：Love，With love，Affectionately yours，Your （ever） loving son（sister等等）。
5）签名
签名一般在结尾语的下面一行。
例如：
事务信件格式与私人信件格式大致相同，只是在称呼和结尾上要比较正式一些。
常用的称呼有：Dear Sir（不知对方姓名时用）
Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss X（知道对方姓名时用）
常用的结尾语有：Yours sincerely（知道对方姓名时用）
Yours truly/Yours faithfully（不知对方姓名时用）
3.私人信件的正文
1）开头
常见的.私人信件的开头方式有：
表示高兴：I was so glad/pleased/happy to receive your letter dated May 1st.
表示感谢：Thank you for your wonderful gift/your interesting letter.
表示关心与询问：How are you these days？/How are you getting on these days？/How are you getting on with your work/studies？
表示抱歉：I am sorry that I did not write to you sooner but I have been very busy these days. / I am sorry that I have not written to you for such a long time，but let me assure you that you have always been in my thoughts.
一般在表示道歉没有及时给对方写信时，还要简述原因或写上安慰的话。
表示遗憾：I was sorry to learn that you did not do well in the entrance examination. / I was so upset to hear that you are ill these days. I do hope you are getting better.
2）信件主体
这部分内容是最自由的，与汉语书信没有什么区别。私人信件一般文体很随便，可以写任何你想写的内容。
3）结束信件
常用的话语有：
I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
I am afraid I have to stop now but I will write again.
Please give my regards to your family.
Take good care of you and keep in touch.
最后，需要介绍一下邀请信的写法。邀请信是一种社交信件。随着越来越多的外籍老师来我国学校执教，有时学生举行一些社交活动，常要邀请外籍老师前来参加。因此，学会写英语邀请信是很有实际意义的。
英语邀请信的要点是：（1）邀请对象（2）活动时间（3）活动地点（4）活动内容（5）询问是否接受邀请。
下面是英语邀请信的实例：
比较随便的邀请信
Dear Jane，
We are giving a small party at Room 303 at 7 p. m. on December 25 to celebrate the Christmas Day. We shall be very pleased if you can come.
Yours，
Ming Ming
比较正式的邀请信
June 5，1999
Dear Mr Smith，
If you have no other plans for Sunday，June 15，would you like to come to our dancing party？
All the students of our class are coming. Mr Li，our dean，is also joining us. And we shall be very pleased if you could manage to come，too.
The party is at 7 p. m. in the school hall. We shall expect you then if we do not hear from you to the contrary（回绝）.
Yours sincerely，
Li Ming