来源：文都四级系列图书 作者：郭崇兴
书信是一种应用非常广泛的应用文形式之一。英文书信的种类很多，但可以把它们归为两大类，一类是私人书信（personal letters），另一类是事务书信（business letters），例如：申请信、求职信、推荐信、证明信、感谢信等。英文书信的书写有一定的格式。一封完整的书信应包括寄信人的地址和日期；收信人的姓名和地址；称呼、正文、结尾和签名。
一、书信的格式
英文书信的格式与汉语不尽相同，具体表现在信封的写法和英文信的结构两方面。
1． 信封的写法
在信封正面左上方写下发信人姓名、地址，在信封中间偏右一点，写下收信人的姓名、地址。姓名单独占一行，地址和名称按从小到大的顺序。一般信封的写法有两种形式，第一种为并列式（block form），即每行开头要平齐，例如：
Li Ming
Chinese Department
Beijing University
Beijing, P. R.China
Mrs. Mary Smith
26 Long Street
London, N. W. 16
Great Britain
第二种为缩进式（indented form），即每行开头都要向右推进两到三个字母，例如：
Li Ming
Chinese Department
Beijing University
Beijing, P.R. China
Mrs. Mary Smith
26 Long Street
London, N. W. 16
Great Britain
2． 信的构成
英文信一般由六部分组成。下面的实例可以说明英文信的构成，实例之后还有对英文信结构的详细说明。
发信人地址→
Chinese Department
Beijing University
Beijing, China
1000
30th Jan 2004
Prof, Mary Smith
26 Long Street
London, H. W. 16←收信人地址
Great Britain
Dear Madam, ←对收信人的称呼
信的正文
结束语→Sincerely
签名→Li Ming
（1）写信人地址和发信日期
写信人地址和发信日期通常写在信纸右上方，先写地址，后写日期。日期的写法英美不尽相同，以下几种写法皆可：
Jan. 30, 2002 Jan. 30th, 2002
30th Jan. 200230 Jan, 2002
（2）收信人姓名和地址
收信人姓名、地址写在左上方，低于写信人地址和发信日期一至两行，一般要在收信人姓名前加上尊称或头衔，如Mr., Mrs., Prof., Director等，如：
Prof. Wang
Chinese Department
Beijing University
（3）对收信人的称呼
对收信人的称呼自成一行，写在收信人姓中、地址下面空一行外，信纸左边顶格写，称呼一般以Dear开始。
（4）信的正文
信的正文是信的主体部分，一般在呼语下面空两行开始写，每段的第一行都要空一个字母，正文部分既要内容完整，条理清楚，又要注意必要的礼节。
（5）结束语和谦称
在信的结尾处发信人对收信人往往使用一种谦称。这部分写在正文下面一至两行处，一般在信纸中间或偏右的地方写起，首字母要大写，末尾用“，”。常用谦词有：
Yours truly, Truly yours, Faithfully yours, Yours faithfully, Respectfully yours, Yours respectfully, Yours lovingly, Yours, Yours ever等。
（6）发信人签名
信末的签名一般低于结束用语一至两行，从信纸中间偏右的地方写起。一般要签全名，除非是自己十分熟悉或亲密的人。有时，还要写上发信人的职务或头衔。
另外，有时信中还有附件，这时要在信的左下角注明Encl(enclosure)或Enc.，如：
Enc. Drive License附驾驶执照
如果在写完信后，又有需要补充的内容，可在左下方写P. S. (postscript) 。
二、英文书信实例
1.求职申请信要写明你要申请的工作或职务，你的学历、能力或你的特长。求职申请信的写作要做到简单、明了，要用简洁的语言清楚地反映你的才能、成绩、经历。申请信主要用于申请入学、学术交流等。这类信件应写明本人的意愿、申请的理由。求职申请信的常用句型有：
①I’d like to apply for the job (post, position) advertised...
②In answer to your advertisement, I wish to apply for...
③I have had the experience of...
④I am very interested in (keen on) ...
⑤I shall be much obliged if you will give me an opportunity for interview...
⑥I am writing to you to apply for admission to your university to pursue my Ph. D. Degree.
［例1］Graduate School of Stanford University
Stanford University
P. O. Box 616
U. S. A
May 12, 2002
Foreign Affairs Office
Beijing University
Beijing, P. R. China
Dear Sirs,
I am a postgraduate student at the Graduate School of Stanford University. I focus my studies on Chinese culture. Upon graduation, I would like to come to your university as an English instructor or tutor.
I have been studying the Chinese Language and culture for the past two years in Stanford. I would like to continue my studies in China as an English instructor. In addition to my extensive educational background, I have computer and baseball coaching experience, which may also be of benefit to your university.
Enclosed is a resume concerning my educational background.
I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely yours，
John Smith
［例2］
English Department
Beijing University
Beijing, China
Feb. 16, 2002
The Graduate School
Hawaii University
P. O. Box 135
Dear Sir，
My name is Gao Ying. I was enrolled in English Department of Beijing University in 1994. During my four years of study, I was a top student, and received good grades in all my courses. After my graduation, I continued to study in American literature and obtained my M. A. degree in 2001.
With a view to further studies, I am writing to you to apply for admission to your university to pursue my Ph. D. in the field of world literature.
Thank you very much for your consideration. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely yours,
Gao Ying
2.邀请信一般分为正式和非正式两种。熟悉的朋友之间可采用非正式的形式，即正文用第一人称写，称呼也可以随便一些。写邀请信时要做到语言朴实，态度热情，要说明邀请的原因、活动地点和时间。用词要清晰明了；信函内容应简短，不要使用太多描绘性语言。如果要求被邀请者答复，则要在信上注明“RSVP” （“请答复” ）或“Please reply”。被邀请人在收到信后应立即答复。
如果接受，应先表示感谢和被邀请的喜悦心情，而且需要重复写明出席的时间和地点。如果谢绝，除了表示谢意之外，还需要表达失望或遗憾之感，然后具体说明不能履约的原因。邀请信及其回复的常用句型：
①We would like to invite you to...
②How about coming...
③I’d be very pleased ( happy, delighted ) to accept ( come to ) ...
④Thank you for your...
⑤Thank you for your invitation. ...but unfortunately...
⑥I am sorry but I simply can’t come...
［例1］邀请信
March 12, 2004
Dear Wang Hong,
We are planning a party to celebrate Professor Zhangs fiftieth anniversary of this teaching career and of course we want you to come. It is next Saturday, March 23rd, at eight oclock in the university dinner hall.
I do hope you can make it. I am looking forward to seeing you.
Affectionately yours,
Gao Ming
［例2］应邀
Dear Gao Ming,
I will be delighted to take part in the party on Saturday, the 23rd of March at eight o’ clock. How nice of you to ask me!
I am also looking forward to seeing you and Professor Zhang.
Very sincerely yours,
Wang Hong
［例3］谢绝信
Dear Gao Ming,
It was sweet of you to ask me to attend the party. But now I must regretfully write that I will be out of the city next Saturday, and I therefore cant accept your kind invitation for the party on that day.
I feel sorry to miss a meeting with you and Professor Zhang.
Best wishes to you and Professor Zhang.
Sincerely yours,
Wang Hong
3.祝贺信是表示庆祝的书信。在西方风俗习惯中，遇到重大的节假日，比如新年、圣诞节、生日等以及亲朋好友之间遇到了什么喜事都应写信致以问候或赠送礼品。贺信的写作要注意主题明确，中心突出，情感真挚但切记不要言过其实，评价要恰当，要表现出真诚的喜悦和祝贺。另外，代表单位的贺信应较为正式，措词要严谨、谦恭。祝贺信常用语：
①Congratulate you on...
②It was great to hear that you...
③With my whole congratulations and best wishes for...
④Luck and success in the coming year!
⑤Please accept our best and sincere wishes for the New Year!
⑥Hearty congratulations and all good wishes on this wonderful day in your life!
［例1］
March 12, 2004
Dear Wang Ying,
We are glad to learn that you are graduating from Beijing University and planning to find a job in a computer company in Beijing.
Congratulations on the job well done while at university and good luck to you during your new career.
I wish you success in all your undertakings and hope youll enjoy your new career.
Anytime you come back home, I wish you would come to my home. Then, we may recall our old happy days. I sincerely hope you will find happiness and success in your new job.
Sincerely yours,
Li Ping
［例2］
March 16, 2004
Dear Li Ping,
Please accept my warm congratulations on your election as president of the Students Union. I can’t think of anyone who would have been a better choice. I feel that it is a fine tribute from your schoolmates, and a reward you richly deserve for your many years of splendid service to the students in your school.
This honor is also due to your ability in dealing with problems, I sincerely hope you will enjoy your work.
Yours truly,
Zhu Ying
4.感谢信是为了感谢对方的关心、帮助和支持而书写的信件。在写感谢信时，正文部分主要写感谢的内容和感激的心情，可以叙述被感谢的人或事件，重点放在这一帮助所产生的效果上。所用的语言要准确、客观，情感要真挚。感谢信常用的句型：
①Thank you very much for...
②I am extremely grateful for...
③I realize that the task took you a great deal of precious time.
④Thank you very much for your hospitality (kindness).
⑤Thank you very much for doing so much to make my trip to Beijing interesting.
［例1］Room 608, Friendship Hotel
March 18, 2002
Dear Sir,
I am an Englishman, now on a tour in Beijing. This is the first time I am in China. I naturally feel that everything is interesting and strange. Yesterday, when I visited the Great Wall, I was greatly fascinated in this marvelous miracle. Upon my arrival back at the hotel, I found my handbag was missing. There were my passport and a camera in it. I was very worried, feeling that it was completely impossible for me to find it again. At eight oclock in the evening, a young man accompanied by a hotel attendant came to my room with a bag in his hand. I at once recognized that it was my bag. I thanked him heartily for his kindness and offered him a reward of 200 U. S. dollars. But he refused to take even a cent. At my insistence, he told me his name when leaving. He is Zhu Ying of your company. Deeply moved by his selfless spirit, I am writing a letter to commend his noble deed. Please convey my gratitude for him.
Yours respectfully,
Jack London
［例2］
Dear Prof. Wang,
Thanks to your letter of recommendation to the CEO of Net Ease. I have been given a place in the editorial department at an encouraging salary. I began work last week and I think that I shall enjoy it very much. Mr. Wu, the CEO had a friendly talk with me this morning. He also mentioned your recommendation. I assured him that I would do my best to live up to your recommendation. Prof. Wang, I want to thank you sincerely for your great kindness. Without your help I couldnt have secured this position. Thank you very much. I will do my best not to let you down.
Faithfully yours,
Li Ming
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