英 语 实 用写 作 English Practical Writing

Introduction This 28-hour writing course will be focused on the English writings for practical purposes, like writing notices, ads, notes, business and personal letters, This 28-hour writing course will be focused on the English writings for practical purposes, like writing notices, ads, notes, business and personal letters, s, resumes, diaries, and book reports. Since practical English writing serves practical purposes, you need to ask the questions below before taking up a pen: s, resumes, diaries, and book reports. Since practical English writing serves practical purposes, you need to ask the questions below before taking up a pen: To whom am I writing? To whom am I writing? Why am I writing? Why am I writing? What do I want the reader to know about and do? What do I want the reader to know about and do? What is the established style of this writing in English? What is the established style of this writing in English?

★ To get something done, this type of writing must adhere to certain principles: –Clear –Correct –Simple –It follows established forms and contents.

I. Notice Writing A. Definition — A notice is a written or printed statement that gives information or a warning to people. — A notice is a written or printed statement that gives information or a warning to people. B. A notice includes at least three parts: Date: day of the week — time Date: day of the week — time Place Place Activity Activity

C. The similarities and differences between Chinese notices and English notices: Both include three parts: date — day of the week — time; place; activity. Both include three parts: date — day of the week — time; place; activity. In an English notice, the day of the week is written before the date, whereas in a Chinese notice, the day of the week is generally put after the date. In an English notice, the day of the week is written before the date, whereas in a Chinese notice, the day of the week is generally put after the date. For names of days of the week, we may either spell out the whole word (e.g. Wednesday) or use the abbreviated form. It is also true for the month. For names of days of the week, we may either spell out the whole word (e.g. Wednesday) or use the abbreviated form. It is also true for the month. The #1 in English should be written as 1 号 in Chinese; it should never be written as 1# to replace 1 号 in Chinese. In other words, the sign # is always used before a number, not after it. The #1 in English should be written as 1 号 in Chinese; it should never be written as 1# to replace 1 号 in Chinese. In other words, the sign # is always used before a number, not after it.

II. Posters Posters can be used for many purposes: advertising, educating, or even protesting. Posters can be used for many purposes: advertising, educating, or even protesting. Both pictures and words are employed. Both pictures and words are employed. The words in posters should be precise and concise The words in posters should be precise and concise

III. Personal Ads Sample a

Sample b

Sample c

IV. Greeting Cards A. Format — Salutation; Body; Signature

Sample a

Sample b

V. Good Wishes and Congratulations ★ A letter of congratulation contains three messages: ● express your congratulations ● express your congratulations ● express your admiration ● express your admiration ● give your best wishes ● give your best wishes

Sample a

Sample b

VI. Condolences ★ A letter of condolence contains four parts: Show your heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the family of the deceased Show your heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the family of the deceased Mention or evaluate briefly the life achievements of the dead Mention or evaluate briefly the life achievements of the dead Pay homage and respect to the dead Pay homage and respect to the dead Extend your help or present your condolences and sympathy again Extend your help or present your condolences and sympathy again

Chapter Five DescriptionChapter Five DescriptionChapter Five DescriptionChapter Five Description Sample

VII. Invitations ★ A formal invitation includes the following in addition to the name of the person who sends it: to the name of the person who sends it: –The occasion or matter concerned; –The name of the person to whom the invitation is sent; –R.S.V.P., an abbreviation for the four French words which means “ please reply ” are written in the lower right- or left-hand corner of the invitation; –The telephone number, at which the person invited is asked to call to give a reply. The words “ (regrets only) ” mean that a telephone call is expected only when the person invited cannot make it.

Requirements: Keep all the information in the middle; Keep all the information in the middle; Use the third person for a formal invitation; Use the third person for a formal invitation; Use full names instead of nicknames or abbreviated names; Use full names instead of nicknames or abbreviated names; Use written language instead of oral or informal language. Use written language instead of oral or informal language.

Sample a

Sample b

★ An informal letter of invitation often contains four elements as below: contains four elements as below: State the occasion for the invitation; State the occasion for the invitation; Give the exact time and place; Give the exact time and place; Express the hope of having the invitation accepted; Express the hope of having the invitation accepted; Say a reply is expected. (Optional) Say a reply is expected. (Optional)

Sample a

Sample b

VIII. Thank-you Letter ★ The elements contained by a thank-you letter: –Express your gratitude. –Specify the gift, favor or help you received and discuss it briefly. –Show your pleasure and gratitude again. –Remember the past and paint the future if necessary.

Sample a

Sample b

IX. Apologies ★ The elements contained by an apologetic letter: –Express your apology for failing to do something or having done something undesirable. –State the reason for it. –Say sorry again and make a suggestion for doing something to make up.

X. Letter Format ★ The Six Parts of A Letter: the heading the heading the inside address the inside address the salutation the salutation the body the body the complimentary close the complimentary close the signature the signature

Sample a

Sample b

XI. Envelope Sample

XII. Personal Letters ★ The Characteristics of A Personal Letter: The letter head and the inside address are omitted; The letter head and the inside address are omitted; The first part shows the writer ’ s concern about the letter receiver; The first part shows the writer ’ s concern about the letter receiver; The second part introduces the writer ’ s recent life and some news; The second part introduces the writer ’ s recent life and some news; The last part shows the writer ’ s greetings and hopes for the letter receiver; The last part shows the writer ’ s greetings and hopes for the letter receiver; There is no need to leave both handwritten and typed signatures. There is no need to leave both handwritten and typed signatures.

Lucia Lawson ’ s letter to her mother in WWII

A letter by Captain Scott

XIII. Business Letters ★ Principles in Writing Business Letters: Clear Clear Concise Concise Correct Correct Constructive Constructive Convincing Convincing Concrete Concrete Coherent Coherent

A. Inquiries ★ Steps: state the source where you learned about the item; state the source where you learned about the item; show you are interested in one model or state what you are looking for; show you are interested in one model or state what you are looking for; request information about catalogs, cost, discount, stock, payment, delivery, etc; request information about catalogs, cost, discount, stock, payment, delivery, etc;

Sample

B. Inquiry Reply ★ The Contents of An Inquiry Reply: Thank the inquirer and acknowledge the interest in your company. Thank the inquirer and acknowledge the interest in your company. Supply the specific facts requested. / Give an explanation if you can not supply the item and, if possible, suggest an alternative. Supply the specific facts requested. / Give an explanation if you can not supply the item and, if possible, suggest an alternative. Enclose a brochure. Call attention to the particulars of the brochure to encourage a sale. Enclose a brochure. Call attention to the particulars of the brochure to encourage a sale.

Sample

C. Purchase Order ★ Necessary Information the item ordered the item ordered model number model number quantity desired quantity desired its description its description unit price unit price applicable discounts applicable discounts applicable tax applicable tax total price total price method of payment method of payment method of shipment method of shipment delivery address delivery address desired delivery date desired delivery date

Sample

D. Complaint ★ Steps: State your situation matter-of-factly, and provide all the necessary information. State your situation matter-of-factly, and provide all the necessary information. Emphasize the loss or inconvenience you have suffered. Emphasize the loss or inconvenience you have suffered. Make your request for adjustment. Make your request for adjustment. Word your complaint or claim positively and calmly, and remove the words of emotion. Word your complaint or claim positively and calmly, and remove the words of emotion.

Sample

E. Adjustment ★ Contents in An Adjustment Letter: Thank the customer for the information provided. Thank the customer for the information provided. Express sympathy and understanding. Express sympathy and understanding. Tell what has been done about the complaint. Tell what has been done about the complaint. Give an explanation. Give an explanation. Grant an adjustment or offer a compromise adjustment or refuse an adjustment. Grant an adjustment or offer a compromise adjustment or refuse an adjustment.

Sample

XIV. Applications ★ An application letter serves as a Cover Letter ( 附函 ) of a resume, an interpretation and expansion of the resume. It is to get the readers interested in reading the resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV), and help them understand we know both ourselves and the company.

Two Categories of the Cover Letter: Solicited Job Application Letters — to apply for an advertised job opening Solicited Job Application Letters — to apply for an advertised job opening Prospecting Job Application Letters — to ask about the availability of a job opening Prospecting Job Application Letters — to ask about the availability of a job opening

Sample for A Solicited Application

Sample for A Prospecting Application