一、Courtesy 礼貌
语言要有礼且谦虚,及时地回信也是礼貌的表现。
例如:
We have received with many thanks your letter of 20 May, and we take the pleasure of sending you our latest catalog. We wish to draw your attention to a special offer which we have made in it.
You will be particularly interested in a special offer on page 5 of the latest catalog enclosed, which you requested in your letter of 20 May.
二、Consideration 体谅
写信时要处处从对方的角度去考虑有什么需求,而不是从自身出发,语气上更尊重对方。
例如:
"You earn 2 percent discount when you pay cash. We will send you the brochure next month. "就比"We allow 2 percent discount for cash payment. We won’t be able to send you the brochure this month." 要好。
三、Completeness 完整
一封商业信函应概况了各项必需的事项,如邀请信应说明时间、地点等,确忌寄出含糊不清的信件。
四、Clarity 清楚
意思表达明确,要注意:
(一)避免用词错误:
例如:As to the steamers sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco, we have bimonthly direct services.
此处bimonthly有歧义:可以是twice a month 或者once two month.故读信者就迷惑了,可以改写为:
1.We have two direct sailings every month from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
2.We have semimonthly direct sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
3.We have a direct sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
(二)注意词语所放的位置:
例如:
1. We shall be able to supply 10 cases of the item only.
2. We shall be able to supply 10 cases only of the item.
前者则有两种商品以上的含义。
(三)注意句子的结构:
例如:
1.We sent you 5 samples yesterday of the goods which you requested in your letter of May 20 by air.
2.We sent you, by air, 5 samples of the goods which you requested in your letter of May 20.
五、Conciseness 简洁
(一)避免废话连篇:
例如:
1.We wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter...可改为:We appreciate your letter...
2.Enclosed herewith please find two copies of...可改为: We enclose two copies of...
(二)避免不必要的重复:
(三)短句、单词的运用:
Enclosed herewith----->enclosed
at this time----->now
due to the fact that----->because
a draft in the amount of $1000----->a draft for $1000
六、Concreteness 具体
七、Correctness 正确