从信封到附言,英文书信写作指南
英文书信和中文书信的写作有那些不同呢？
信封(Envelop)
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。
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。
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。
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。
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。)
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。
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。
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。
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。
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。
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。
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。
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。
常用套话：
一、开首语
Pardon me, though a stranger to you personally, for taking liberty to address you these few lines.
As I have not heard of you for long, I feel anxious.
I must apologize for not having written to you previously.
Please pardon my long in writing to you.
Pardon me for neglect when you honored me with a visit the other day.
Having mislaid your address, I have not been able to reply sooner.
Your letter of the 4th this month was duly received.
I have the pleasure to tell you that.
I have just received your kind letter.
Your kind letter of Saturday arrived this morning.
二、结束语
Please notify me soon.
Looking forward to a prompt reply.
Please do not fail to write to me.
I shall feel obliged by a reply at your earliest convenience.
I look for your answer in a few days.
Let me hear if you receive the parcel safely.
As the season grows colder, I hope you will take good care of yourself.
With kind regards to your family.
Please give my compliments to your family.
Pray give my best remembrances to Mr. Brown.
My parents ask also to add their best thanks to mine.
Adieu till then.
Thanking you for the past favour.
I think you for the trouble you have taken.
Hoping you will have a pleasant trip.
Wishing you a pleasant journey.
The help you sent is sincerely valued.
三、社交用语
The bearer of this letter, Mr. Chen, professor of ..., (an esteemed friend of mine), is desirous of being introduced to your acquaintance.
I am very grateful for your kindness in permitting me to...
I respectfully acknowledge your note and will wait upon you as proposed.
Should an interview be desired, I shall be happy to call at any hour you may appoint.
I have some important business matter to communicate to you.
Anything further will be discussed when we meet.
I regret that a prior engagement will prevent me from a tending.
I think you for your kind entertainment last evening.
I shall have great pleasure in accepting your invitation.
Accept my thanks for our handsome present.
四、祝愿语
I wish you a happy New Year.
Pray accept my best and sincerest wishes for the New Year.
Presenting the compliments of the season.
With every good wish.
Pray allow me to congratulate your most heartily on your success in your examination.
I am glad to hear that you were appointed..., on which I congratulate you most heartily.
I congratulate you upon your success.
I wish you still further success.
