国际商务英语第2章

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2. Semi-blocked style
The semi-blocked style is similar to the full blocked style except that the date, the complimentary close and the signature are typed on the right side in line with the date. Letter (3)(参见教材 页) 参见教材19页 参见教材
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Ⅱ. The Styles of Business Letters
There are several styles of business letters. The main styles of them are 1. Full-blocked style 2. Semi-blocked style 3. Indented style 4. Modified style 5.Simplified style
(4) If the letter is not too long, you may adopt double line-spacing for each paragraph. (As shown in the above letters of (1)，(2). ，
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3. Indented Style
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Chapter 2 Business Writing and Envelope Addressing
Learning Objectives: Understand the language characteristics of business writing. Master the styles of business letters. Get familiar with the letter body writing. Learn the ways of designing the envelope addressing.
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4. Modified Style
The modified style is similar to the indented style. In this style the inside name and address are typed in blocked style with the first line of each paragraph forming the body of the letter indented for two or several spaces. The complimentary close and the signature are also on the right hand side in line with the date. Letter (5) (参见教材 页) 参见教材26页 参见教材
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2. Clarity and conciseness
The sender must express the meaning clearly by using the simplest sentences and fewest words so that the receiver will understand it well. Short sentence is simpler to write and easier to understand. But a succession of short sentences will result in jerky effect and providing a mixture of sentences of different lengths will be preferable.
3. Completeness and concreteness
All the necessary information should be included in a business letter. Try your best not to use any postscripts in a business letter. Your message should be made complete and concrete in the letter body.
Import & Export Corp. Imp. & Exp. Co. I/E Co.
(3) The names of the countries may as well be abbreviated, for example:
Britain—as U.K. (UK) America—as U.S.A. (USA) People’s Republic of China—as PRC
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Ⅰ. The Language Characteristics of Business Writing
In order to write out perfect business letters attention must be paid to the following language characteristics : 1. Courtesy and consideration Try to avoid irritating and offensive statements. To answer a letter promptly is also a kind of courtesy. It is discourteous to keep your correspondent waiting for an answer. If you cannot deal promptly with a letter seeking information, write and explain to your customer why and tell him when you will write or deal with the matter. Courtesy consists of not only using polite phrases and sentences, but also of showing consideration for your correspondent. This quality enables you to refuse to perform a favor without killing the friendly relations between you two, and to refuse a customer’s request for discount without creating detriment to the future business. It is necessary to plan the best way for presenting your message, your request, your desire, and etc.
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1. Full-blocked style
This style is rather modern and is widely used in business letter writing. The following letter is written with pre-printed letterhead and with all the thirteen parts of a business letter included. The letter is shown in the following way in order that the readers may get familiar with all the names and positions of various parts of a business letter. See Letter (1).
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Notes:
(1) In writing the inside address, if the name of the firm is too long to be combined into a single line, it may be placed into two lines with the commodities which it engages in not to be separated from each other and not to be arranged into the next line to continue the writing of the firm’s name. For finishing the writing of the firm’s name the second line must be indented for two spaces. For example: The correct writing:
The indented style is traditional. In this style, each line of the inside name and address and as well the first line of each paragraph are indented for two or several spaces. The date is on the right hand side with the complimentary close and the signature kept in line with the date. Letter (4) )(参见教材 页) 参见教材23页 参见教材
China National Light Industrial Products Import & Export Corporation China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Import & Export Corporation
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Notes:
(2) If the firm’s name is too long, it may be abbreviated as follows:
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4. Preciseness and correctness
In business correspondence, it is necessary to use expressions with precise meanings. For example, when you acknowledge a letter, refer to it by date, subject Baidu Nhomakorabeand reference number and when you refer to a date, mention the month by full name, avoid using abbreviations and all number form. You must know that standard language, proper statements, accurate figures are needed in a business letter. Before signing a business letter, you must check it for the accuracy of its contents and test its suitability with the general practices. Special attention must be paid to the typing of the figures in order to avoid making errors. Correct spelling of the words and correct using of punctuations are as well necessary qualities for showing your high level of English knowledge.