English Letters 2 Business Letters Business Letters

Business letters: Business letters: between companies and institutions, and government offices to conduct all kinds of business. between companies and institutions, and government offices to conduct all kinds of business.

The structure of a business letter Headings: the writer ’ s address and the date Headings: the writer ’ s address and the date Inside Address: the receiver ’ s title, full name, Inside Address: the receiver ’ s title, full name, position and complete address position and complete address Salutation: complimentary greeting as Dear John Salutation: complimentary greeting as Dear John Body of the Letter: reference, information, Body of the Letter: reference, information, purpose and conclusion purpose and conclusion Complimentary close: Sincerely yours, etc. Complimentary close: Sincerely yours, etc. Signature: typewritten and handwritten signatures Signature: typewritten and handwritten signatures

① Headings ① Headings ② Inside Address ② Inside Address ③ Salutation: ③ Salutation: ④ Body of Letter ⑤ Complementary Close, ⑤ Complementary Close, handwritten signature handwritten signature ⑥ Typed Signature ⑥ Typed Signature

Headings Headings Winthrop University （写信人单位） Winthrop University （写信人单位） Rock Hill, SC （城市名，邮编） Rock Hill, SC （城市名，邮编） September 28, 2006 （写信日期） September 28, 2006 （写信日期）

Inside Address Inside Address Dr. Jane Smith ( 收信人姓名） Dr. Jane Smith ( 收信人姓名） Foreign Student Advisor （收信人身份） Foreign Student Advisor （收信人身份） Winthrop University （收信人地址） Winthrop University （收信人地址） Rock Hill, SC （城市名，邮编） Rock Hill, SC （城市名，邮编）

Winthrop University Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC Rock Hill, SC September 28, 2006 September 28, 2006 Dr. Jane Smith Dr. Jane Smith Foreign Student Advisor Foreign Student Advisor Winthrop University Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC Rock Hill, SC Dear Dr. Jane Smith, Dear Dr. Jane Smith, I am a new student from China and this is my first week at Winthrop University. ………………………………………………………………… I am a new student from China and this is my first week at Winthrop University. ………………………………………………………………… Thank you very much for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you very much for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely yours, Sincerely yours, Wang Liang Wang Liang

Winthrop University Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC Rock Hill, SC September 28, 2006 September 28, 2006 Dr. Jane Smith Dr. Jane Smith Foreign Student Advisor Foreign Student Advisor Winthrop University Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC Rock Hill, SC Dear Dr. Jane Smith, Dear Dr. Jane Smith, I am a new student from China and this is my first week at Winthrop University. While I am excited about beginning my academic studies here, and while the one-day orientation was very helpful, I am still feeling lost and need a lot of help. I have experienced difficulties in getting to places, buying textbooks, and finding my classrooms because the campus is so big. I believe that many other new international students must have experienced similar difficulties. I am a new student from China and this is my first week at Winthrop University. While I am excited about beginning my academic studies here, and while the one-day orientation was very helpful, I am still feeling lost and need a lot of help. I have experienced difficulties in getting to places, buying textbooks, and finding my classrooms because the campus is so big. I believe that many other new international students must have experienced similar difficulties. I thereby suggest that the orientation program last two or three days instead of one and that a student ambassador program be sent up to help new students, particularly new international students on more individual basis. It is my belief that such an expanded program would help new students to adjust to Winthrop much more quickly. I thereby suggest that the orientation program last two or three days instead of one and that a student ambassador program be sent up to help new students, particularly new international students on more individual basis. It is my belief that such an expanded program would help new students to adjust to Winthrop much more quickly. Thank you very much for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you very much for your attention and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely yours, Sincerely yours, Wang Liang Wang Liang

The Language of Business Letters 1. Concise and clear: eliminating nonsense words and phrases, repetition and and phrases, repetition and redundancies, get directly to redundancies, get directly to the point the point 2. Courteous: avoiding insults and sarcasm, rude remarks, and expressions with remarks, and expressions with negative implications negative implications

Types of Business Letters (1) Request Letters (2) Order letters (3) Claim (or Complaint) letters (4) Job application letters

An Application Letter for Advanced Studies (Address omitted) (Address omitted) March 10, 1999 March 10, 1999 To the Register, To the Register, Oxford University, Oxford University, Oxfordshire England Oxfordshire England Dear Sir: Dear Sir: Would you please send me an application form and some information about the course of English Literature offered in your university? I should like to apply for admission at the College of Arts to pursue my studies for a Master ’ s degree. I am now studying in East China Teachers ’ University majoring in English Literature and will graduate this July. My university authorities recommend me to further my studies in your university. Would you please send me an application form and some information about the course of English Literature offered in your university? I should like to apply for admission at the College of Arts to pursue my studies for a Master ’ s degree. I am now studying in East China Teachers ’ University majoring in English Literature and will graduate this July. My university authorities recommend me to further my studies in your university. Yours truly, Yours truly, Li Xin Li Xin

A Job Application Letter English College English College Luoyang Normal university Luoyang Normal university Luoyang Luoyang June 15, 1999 June 15, 1999 Principal Principal Taiyuan No.5 Middle School Taiyuan No.5 Middle School Taiyuan Taiyuan Dear sir: Dear sir: I have heard from my teacher that you are looking for a few qualified teachers of English. I am writing to try my luck. I have heard from my teacher that you are looking for a few qualified teachers of English. I am writing to try my luck. I am 23 years old and will soon graduate from the English Department of Taiyuan Teachers ’ College. I have completed my four years ’ courses with credits in all subjects. I am 23 years old and will soon graduate from the English Department of Taiyuan Teachers ’ College. I have completed my four years ’ courses with credits in all subjects. I am able to speak English fluently and fond of teaching career. Besides, I am good at computer operation. I am able to speak English fluently and fond of teaching career. Besides, I am good at computer operation. Enclosed you will find a copy of records of all subjects and that of a testimonial as required. I shall be very grateful if you give me a chance to work in your school. Enclosed you will find a copy of records of all subjects and that of a testimonial as required. I shall be very grateful if you give me a chance to work in your school. Yours truly, Yours truly, Li Xin Li Xin

Exercises 1. Suppose you are to graduate from the university the next month. Write a letter to a company, applying for a position as an office secretary. 2. Next term you are going to do the practice teaching. Write a letter to a local school, applying for a contemporary job as a teacher there.