how to write a letter in english

英语写作---书信
—、书信写作要求
书信(Letter)一般可分为事务信件或公函(Business Letter or Offical Correspondence)以及私人信件
(Private Letter)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.
1. 书信的格式
1） 信头(Heading)；
2） 称呼(Salutation)；
3） 正文(Body of the letter)；
4） 结束语(Complimentary close)；
5） 签名(signature).
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.
(3) 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,虽然作者认识,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(s),
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