隨著近幾年英語考試的劇烈變革，英語試題越來越講究應用能力的考查，寫作部分的命題改變了原來單一的簡單提綱模式，采用了多種命題方式。事務信函迅速出現(xiàn)在國內(nèi)考試的試題中，從2000年起，四級、六級、BEC、MBA聯(lián)考、公共英語不定期考查了書信寫作，2005年考研英語新大綱已經(jīng)正式規(guī)定信函或其它應用文成為寫作必考題型，和雅思考試一樣每次考查兩篇作文，每次都可能涉及到事務信函。信函創(chuàng)作迅速成為寫作的主力題型，需要英語教師改變授課內(nèi)容，與時俱進，及時補充信函的創(chuàng)作策略及必備語言。新題型的授課，對教師和學生都構成了新的挑戰(zhàn)，以下是筆者在寫作教學中的總結和心得，希望能夠幫助考生快速把握信函的創(chuàng)作方法。
事務信函在考試中頻頻出現(xiàn)，主題類型較多，包括感謝信、祝賀信、投訴信、咨詢信、建議信、申請信、邀請信、求職信、辭職信、訂貨信和通知/安排信。在多種類型中，新考研大綱特別給出了訂貨信的樣題。其實，主題變化多端，但只是內(nèi)容上的簡單變化，命題時給出了幾個信息點，要根據(jù)信息點寫段，相當于普通的提綱作文。另外，四級要求120詞，六級要求150詞，考研只需要100個單詞，對考生來說應當很容易寫出相應的字數(shù)，我們需要把握考查點并抓住核心內(nèi)容準備。考試以段落語言考查為主，信封格式并不太重要，歷年雅思和四六級都重視信體的創(chuàng)作，是否涵蓋幾大信息點、書面語句型語言的運用、禮貌客氣的語氣、措辭的正確性和精彩性成為閱卷人關注的要點。
以下是對信函不同部分所用語言及句型的總結，如果能夠加以背誦，并且在實際創(chuàng)作中學以致用，相信考生會寫出成功的書信。
一 信函的開頭與結尾
書信的開頭要稱呼收信人，根據(jù)對對方的了解以及雙方關系的親密程度，需要采取不同的稱呼方式。另外，事務信函結尾的敬語需要比較正式，可以采取右列的多種方式。但不可太過隨意，如寫出 “See you soon”， “Good bye” 或者 “Thank you”， 則說明我們還是 not on the right track.可參考的模式如下：
收信人開頭結尾
已知姓名，但不熟悉
或尊為長輩Dear Mr. Clark，
Dear Ms. Higgins，Best wishes，
Best regards，
Lovingly yours，
Truly yours，
熟人及朋友Dear Sue，
Dear Michael，
不知姓名，完全陌生Dear Sir / Madam，
Dear Sir or Madam，
To whom it may concern，Yours sincerely，
Yours faithfully，
Yours cordially，
Sincerely yours，
Faithfully yours ，
Cordially yours，
… …
二 信函書面語詞匯示例
事務信函與普通人際交往信函有所不同，普通的書信發(fā)給父母、同事、朋友、同學、兄弟姐妹，語氣放松，語言簡潔，口語性強，形式不拘一格。而事務信函要發(fā)給公司、學校、機關和其它的重要部門，收信人可以是經(jīng)理、老板、總監(jiān)、主管、校長、主任、教授、導師、醫(yī)生、律師、工程師或其它的重要工作人員。因此要求語言正式，用比較復雜而且模式話的語言來串聯(lián)全篇信息，并且給人一種莊重的感覺。各種考試之所以側重事務信函，也是因為這種考法能夠檢驗考生對于正式書面語的使用，以及對4000以上詞匯量的把握和熟練應用。以下的表達考生可以使用口語化用詞，但可以酌情考慮把一些過于簡單的用詞替換為書面語用詞。
禮貌客氣用詞
意義口語化用詞書面語用詞
感謝thankgrateful； gratitude； appreciate；be obliged to sb.
高興/榮幸gladdelighted； honored； pleased
熱心/細心kindgenerous； considerate； thoughtful； warm-hearted
抱歉/遺憾sorryapology； apologize to sb. for sth； regret； regrettable
真誠的true-heartedsincere； genuine； from the bottom of my heart
問候say hello toextend one's warmest regards to； best regards
造成麻煩/不便cause troublebring inconvenience
其它用詞
意義口語化用詞書面語用詞
求助ask for helprequest for assistance
引起注意noticearouse/capture one's attention； bring one's attention to
適當?shù)膄itproper； appropriate
方便的easyconvenient
維持keepsustain； maintain
的famouscelebrated； prestigious； distinguished； of high reputation
大多數(shù)的mostthe vast majority of
利用useutilize； employ； put into practice/exercise
成果resultachievement； performance； exploit
關于aboutas to； as regards； concerning； with regard to
購買buypurchase；
巨大的largeenormous； immense； sizable； colossal； gigantic
小的smalltrivial； slight
結束finishcomplete； bring to an end/conclusion
停止stopcease； terminate； suspend
獲得getobtain； attain； accomplish； acquire
想要/希望wishintend to； have intention to； attempt to； desire to；
個人personindividual
命運fatefortune； destiny
痛苦painsorrow； grief； torment； agony； anguish； distress
欺騙cheatdeceive； defraud； swindle
回憶rememberrecall； recollect； reminisce
迅捷的fastrapid； swift； speedy
遲緩的slowtardy； inefficient
延遲delaypostpone； put off
劇烈地/顯著地sharplydramatically； considerably； substantially； significantly
越來越more and moreincreasingly； in growing numbers；
不知道don't knowunaware of； lack of information
困難/復雜hardstern； tough； complicated；complex
在…之前beforeprior to
退費/退賠returned moneyrefund； reimbursement // compensation
三 信函常用句型
事務信函之所以在復雜性和功能性上超出其它文體，是因為它具有一套自己的特定語匯，體現(xiàn)在句型上，就是各類主題信函需要使用的各種功能句型。這些句型的使用，提高了書信語言的正式程度以及規(guī)范性。如果考生即興發(fā)揮，有可能用詞和用句都過于簡單化，語氣隨意，寫出的效果也就使人發(fā)笑。但是掌握了這些句型，就等于掌握了一種產(chǎn)品的制造方法，可以輕松地寫出非常恰當?shù)轿坏谋磉_，結合具體信息點，各種書信也就迎刃而解了。
投訴主題
I am writing to you to complain about…
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with …
I am writing to call your attention to the awful fact that …
I am totally disappointed to find that …
I can hardly bear/tolerate/put up with it any longer.
There are some serious problems that deserve your close attention. For one thing， … For another … Even worse …
If it is not properly settled， I would have to complain to the Consumer's Association.
I request you to be kind enough to solve the problem as soon as possible.
I hope that the situation above will be improved as soon as possible.
感謝主題
I am extremely grateful to you for your kind/selfless help.
I am much obliged to you for your kind assistance.
I really appreciate your timely assistance.
I am writing to express my gratitude for the many kind deeds you have done to me.
It is very considerate and generous of you to make such a good arrangement.
But for your help， I would have…
Had it not been for your kind assistance， I would have …
Words failed me when I want to express my sincere gratitude to you.
It is the fine quality of your products and the first-class service that help you set up a world reputation.
For this reason， I am writing to express my heartfelt thanks and hope that your company will have a brighter future.
道歉主題
I must apologize to you for my terrible mistake.
I am awfully sorry that …
I am sorry for the inconveniences that I have brought to you.
I sincerely hope that you will understand that I offended you quite unintentionally.
Needless to say， it is my fault.
I am to blame for this unpleasant situation.
I sincerely hope that you will accept my apologies.
I sincerely ask for your forgiveness.
I am sure that I will not make such a stupid mistake again.
I hope the settlement of the matter will meet your demand.
咨詢主題
I am writing to inquire about the details on …
I would like to obtain some information about …
I would be very grateful if you would be kind enough to provide me essential information about…
Your prompt and favorable attention to my inquiry would be highly appreciated.
I would be much obliged to you if you could let me know the procedures I have to go through.
申請主題
I am writing to let you know about my keen interest in the academic research on…
I would like to ask for your permission to attend the conference on August 31.
I would sincerely request that …
If additional information is required， please advise me at your early convenience.
Your prompt and favorable attention to my request would be highly appreciated.
I am looking forward to a favorable reply at your earliest convenience.
求職主題
I have read your advertisement in Nov.23 Beijing Evening News for a part time interpreter， and should be grateful if you could consider me favorably as an applicant for the position.
I wish to apply for the post mentioned in your advertisement in yesterday's newspaper.
I believe I am suitable for the job due to my rich experience on the field and my pleasant personality.
Upon graduation， I first worked as… The following job was … and currently I am working for…
With the kind of experiences I have accumulated， I would expect a salary no less than …
I shall be much obliged if you would give me an opportunity for an interview.
I am looking forward with great interest to hearing from you regarding my application.
邀請主題
I am writing to invite you to attend a party on…
I am particularly anxious to have you join our party on…
I feel it a great honor If you could participate in …
I should be much pleased if you would come to our party on…
We look forward to seeing you as our honorable guest.
推薦主題
I am very glad to recommend you a former student of mine， Mr…。 to be a candidate for…
With reference to your advised position， I have the pleasure to say that he is the just person you are looking for.
In view of his previous achievements， I am convinced that Mr…。 will become a successful graduate student/staff member in your university/company.
He has proved to be industrious， conscientious， responsible and skillful in carrying out his assignment.
If further information about him is required， please do not hesitate to contact me.
I would be most grateful if you would consider my recommendation and kindly offer him the job.
事務信函范例：申請信
一名英語專業(yè)的大學本科畢業(yè)生在聯(lián)系去美國耶魯大學讀文學專業(yè)碩士，以下是他寫的申請信，供各位讀者參考：A Letter of Application
Dear Sir/Madam，
I would like to pursue a master's degree in English Literature at Yale， your prestigious university. The following is my statement of purpose about making this critical decision.
I have obtained a bachelor's degree from Peking University in English literature. The four-year rigorous training has helped me to lay a firm foundation in literary analysis and criticism. The professors here have not only inspired my interest in my major but also set me on the right track of writing research papers applying proper theoretical approaches. My interest focuses on two branches of British literature： 19-century British novels and Shakespeare's plays. Under the instruction of my professor here I have read novels of Charles Dickens， Jane Austin， Emily Bronte and Thomas Hardy， as well as the main tragedies of Shakespeare. I have been deeply fascinated by the profound beauty of these literary works. However， owing to the limited depth of my research in these writers， I plan to continue my studies for a master's degree in my major. My long-term plan is to get a solid command of professional competence in research methods， and advanced knowledge of specialties in the discipline.
I am applying for admission to Yale University not only because Yale is among the most distinguished institutions in the world but also because my interests are more in line with your research specialization. What's more， Yale University boasts the best research faculties in the U.S. and the rich resources of research in my field of study. I'm expecting to gain a broad exposure to contemporary intellectual currents from the renowned Yale scholars and experts who maintain a foothold in a variety of these disciplines.
Thank you for your patience to read this through. If additional information is required， please advise me at your early convenience. Your prompt and favorable attention to my request would be highly appreciated. I am looking forward to a favorable reply as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely，
Li Ming
有了以上語言的積累，相信大家能夠armed to the teeth， 對待寫信可以胸有成竹。那么，你已經(jīng)練就了事務信函的創(chuàng)作技能，鼓起勇氣去考試吧，今后在實際工作中還可以繼續(xù)收益，這也許是你在外企里重要的求生技能呢。
事務信函在考試中頻頻出現(xiàn)，主題類型較多，包括感謝信、祝賀信、投訴信、咨詢信、建議信、申請信、邀請信、求職信、辭職信、訂貨信和通知/安排信。在多種類型中，新考研大綱特別給出了訂貨信的樣題。其實，主題變化多端，但只是內(nèi)容上的簡單變化，命題時給出了幾個信息點，要根據(jù)信息點寫段，相當于普通的提綱作文。另外，四級要求120詞，六級要求150詞，考研只需要100個單詞，對考生來說應當很容易寫出相應的字數(shù)，我們需要把握考查點并抓住核心內(nèi)容準備。考試以段落語言考查為主，信封格式并不太重要，歷年雅思和四六級都重視信體的創(chuàng)作，是否涵蓋幾大信息點、書面語句型語言的運用、禮貌客氣的語氣、措辭的正確性和精彩性成為閱卷人關注的要點。
以下是對信函不同部分所用語言及句型的總結，如果能夠加以背誦，并且在實際創(chuàng)作中學以致用，相信考生會寫出成功的書信。
一 信函的開頭與結尾
書信的開頭要稱呼收信人，根據(jù)對對方的了解以及雙方關系的親密程度，需要采取不同的稱呼方式。另外，事務信函結尾的敬語需要比較正式，可以采取右列的多種方式。但不可太過隨意，如寫出 “See you soon”， “Good bye” 或者 “Thank you”， 則說明我們還是 not on the right track.可參考的模式如下：
收信人開頭結尾
已知姓名，但不熟悉
或尊為長輩Dear Mr. Clark，
Dear Ms. Higgins，Best wishes，
Best regards，
Lovingly yours，
Truly yours，
熟人及朋友Dear Sue，
Dear Michael，
不知姓名，完全陌生Dear Sir / Madam，
Dear Sir or Madam，
To whom it may concern，Yours sincerely，
Yours faithfully，
Yours cordially，
Sincerely yours，
Faithfully yours ，
Cordially yours，
… …
二 信函書面語詞匯示例
事務信函與普通人際交往信函有所不同，普通的書信發(fā)給父母、同事、朋友、同學、兄弟姐妹，語氣放松，語言簡潔，口語性強，形式不拘一格。而事務信函要發(fā)給公司、學校、機關和其它的重要部門，收信人可以是經(jīng)理、老板、總監(jiān)、主管、校長、主任、教授、導師、醫(yī)生、律師、工程師或其它的重要工作人員。因此要求語言正式，用比較復雜而且模式話的語言來串聯(lián)全篇信息，并且給人一種莊重的感覺。各種考試之所以側重事務信函，也是因為這種考法能夠檢驗考生對于正式書面語的使用，以及對4000以上詞匯量的把握和熟練應用。以下的表達考生可以使用口語化用詞，但可以酌情考慮把一些過于簡單的用詞替換為書面語用詞。
禮貌客氣用詞
意義口語化用詞書面語用詞
感謝thankgrateful； gratitude； appreciate；be obliged to sb.
高興/榮幸gladdelighted； honored； pleased
熱心/細心kindgenerous； considerate； thoughtful； warm-hearted
抱歉/遺憾sorryapology； apologize to sb. for sth； regret； regrettable
真誠的true-heartedsincere； genuine； from the bottom of my heart
問候say hello toextend one's warmest regards to； best regards
造成麻煩/不便cause troublebring inconvenience
其它用詞
意義口語化用詞書面語用詞
求助ask for helprequest for assistance
引起注意noticearouse/capture one's attention； bring one's attention to
適當?shù)膄itproper； appropriate
方便的easyconvenient
維持keepsustain； maintain
的famouscelebrated； prestigious； distinguished； of high reputation
大多數(shù)的mostthe vast majority of
利用useutilize； employ； put into practice/exercise
成果resultachievement； performance； exploit
關于aboutas to； as regards； concerning； with regard to
購買buypurchase；
巨大的largeenormous； immense； sizable； colossal； gigantic
小的smalltrivial； slight
結束finishcomplete； bring to an end/conclusion
停止stopcease； terminate； suspend
獲得getobtain； attain； accomplish； acquire
想要/希望wishintend to； have intention to； attempt to； desire to；
個人personindividual
命運fatefortune； destiny
痛苦painsorrow； grief； torment； agony； anguish； distress
欺騙cheatdeceive； defraud； swindle
回憶rememberrecall； recollect； reminisce
迅捷的fastrapid； swift； speedy
遲緩的slowtardy； inefficient
延遲delaypostpone； put off
劇烈地/顯著地sharplydramatically； considerably； substantially； significantly
越來越more and moreincreasingly； in growing numbers；
不知道don't knowunaware of； lack of information
困難/復雜hardstern； tough； complicated；complex
在…之前beforeprior to
退費/退賠returned moneyrefund； reimbursement // compensation
三 信函常用句型
事務信函之所以在復雜性和功能性上超出其它文體，是因為它具有一套自己的特定語匯，體現(xiàn)在句型上，就是各類主題信函需要使用的各種功能句型。這些句型的使用，提高了書信語言的正式程度以及規(guī)范性。如果考生即興發(fā)揮，有可能用詞和用句都過于簡單化，語氣隨意，寫出的效果也就使人發(fā)笑。但是掌握了這些句型，就等于掌握了一種產(chǎn)品的制造方法，可以輕松地寫出非常恰當?shù)轿坏谋磉_，結合具體信息點，各種書信也就迎刃而解了。
投訴主題
I am writing to you to complain about…
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with …
I am writing to call your attention to the awful fact that …
I am totally disappointed to find that …
I can hardly bear/tolerate/put up with it any longer.
There are some serious problems that deserve your close attention. For one thing， … For another … Even worse …
If it is not properly settled， I would have to complain to the Consumer's Association.
I request you to be kind enough to solve the problem as soon as possible.
I hope that the situation above will be improved as soon as possible.
感謝主題
I am extremely grateful to you for your kind/selfless help.
I am much obliged to you for your kind assistance.
I really appreciate your timely assistance.
I am writing to express my gratitude for the many kind deeds you have done to me.
It is very considerate and generous of you to make such a good arrangement.
But for your help， I would have…
Had it not been for your kind assistance， I would have …
Words failed me when I want to express my sincere gratitude to you.
It is the fine quality of your products and the first-class service that help you set up a world reputation.
For this reason， I am writing to express my heartfelt thanks and hope that your company will have a brighter future.
道歉主題
I must apologize to you for my terrible mistake.
I am awfully sorry that …
I am sorry for the inconveniences that I have brought to you.
I sincerely hope that you will understand that I offended you quite unintentionally.
Needless to say， it is my fault.
I am to blame for this unpleasant situation.
I sincerely hope that you will accept my apologies.
I sincerely ask for your forgiveness.
I am sure that I will not make such a stupid mistake again.
I hope the settlement of the matter will meet your demand.
咨詢主題
I am writing to inquire about the details on …
I would like to obtain some information about …
I would be very grateful if you would be kind enough to provide me essential information about…
Your prompt and favorable attention to my inquiry would be highly appreciated.
I would be much obliged to you if you could let me know the procedures I have to go through.
申請主題
I am writing to let you know about my keen interest in the academic research on…
I would like to ask for your permission to attend the conference on August 31.
I would sincerely request that …
If additional information is required， please advise me at your early convenience.
Your prompt and favorable attention to my request would be highly appreciated.
I am looking forward to a favorable reply at your earliest convenience.
求職主題
I have read your advertisement in Nov.23 Beijing Evening News for a part time interpreter， and should be grateful if you could consider me favorably as an applicant for the position.
I wish to apply for the post mentioned in your advertisement in yesterday's newspaper.
I believe I am suitable for the job due to my rich experience on the field and my pleasant personality.
Upon graduation， I first worked as… The following job was … and currently I am working for…
With the kind of experiences I have accumulated， I would expect a salary no less than …
I shall be much obliged if you would give me an opportunity for an interview.
I am looking forward with great interest to hearing from you regarding my application.
邀請主題
I am writing to invite you to attend a party on…
I am particularly anxious to have you join our party on…
I feel it a great honor If you could participate in …
I should be much pleased if you would come to our party on…
We look forward to seeing you as our honorable guest.
推薦主題
I am very glad to recommend you a former student of mine， Mr…。 to be a candidate for…
With reference to your advised position， I have the pleasure to say that he is the just person you are looking for.
In view of his previous achievements， I am convinced that Mr…。 will become a successful graduate student/staff member in your university/company.
He has proved to be industrious， conscientious， responsible and skillful in carrying out his assignment.
If further information about him is required， please do not hesitate to contact me.
I would be most grateful if you would consider my recommendation and kindly offer him the job.
事務信函范例：申請信
一名英語專業(yè)的大學本科畢業(yè)生在聯(lián)系去美國耶魯大學讀文學專業(yè)碩士，以下是他寫的申請信，供各位讀者參考：A Letter of Application
Dear Sir/Madam，
I would like to pursue a master's degree in English Literature at Yale， your prestigious university. The following is my statement of purpose about making this critical decision.
I have obtained a bachelor's degree from Peking University in English literature. The four-year rigorous training has helped me to lay a firm foundation in literary analysis and criticism. The professors here have not only inspired my interest in my major but also set me on the right track of writing research papers applying proper theoretical approaches. My interest focuses on two branches of British literature： 19-century British novels and Shakespeare's plays. Under the instruction of my professor here I have read novels of Charles Dickens， Jane Austin， Emily Bronte and Thomas Hardy， as well as the main tragedies of Shakespeare. I have been deeply fascinated by the profound beauty of these literary works. However， owing to the limited depth of my research in these writers， I plan to continue my studies for a master's degree in my major. My long-term plan is to get a solid command of professional competence in research methods， and advanced knowledge of specialties in the discipline.
I am applying for admission to Yale University not only because Yale is among the most distinguished institutions in the world but also because my interests are more in line with your research specialization. What's more， Yale University boasts the best research faculties in the U.S. and the rich resources of research in my field of study. I'm expecting to gain a broad exposure to contemporary intellectual currents from the renowned Yale scholars and experts who maintain a foothold in a variety of these disciplines.
Thank you for your patience to read this through. If additional information is required， please advise me at your early convenience. Your prompt and favorable attention to my request would be highly appreciated. I am looking forward to a favorable reply as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely，
Li Ming
有了以上語言的積累，相信大家能夠armed to the teeth， 對待寫信可以胸有成竹。那么，你已經(jīng)練就了事務信函的創(chuàng)作技能，鼓起勇氣去考試吧，今后在實際工作中還可以繼續(xù)收益，這也許是你在外企里重要的求生技能呢。