名人教英文：business letters 公函
business letters include all and sundry: applications for jobs; letters of complaint or praise etc. they are usually brief, clear, direct and factual. 公函包括林林总总的信件︰工作申请书，诉讼类、揄扬类等书信。公函往往是精简易明、直接而忠于事实。
business letters sound easy to write but they should be guided by the relevant checklist pointers shown below. 写公函似乎容易，但也要跟着以下有关规则的重点指示。
format
1.business letters are seldom hand-written. 公函罕用手写。
2.the style is relatively formal. 其风格较公式。
heading 起首用语
the heading includes: 起首用语包括︰
1.the writer's correspondence / email address and contact number etc. (to facilitate response). this could be in the top left or right corner of the letter. 写信人的通讯地址、电邮、联络电话等数据（以便他人回复），这些数据可放在信的左或右上角。
2.inside address (i.e. the recipient's name, title, address, contact number etc.) should be written on the left side. 收信人的名称、衔头、地址、联络电话等数据须放在信之左边。
3.similarly, the date is written below. 同样地，在下方写上日期。
salutation & caption 称呼与标题
different forms of salutation:
几款不同形式的称呼︰
1.dear sir/ madam, (most formal 最拘谨的形式)
2.dear mr/ mrs/ dr ..., (less formal 较随便的形式)
3.dear libby, (address by name, if you know the name. 知道对方名字的话，可以名字称呼).
4.after salutation, please add the caption for the subject of the letter. 称呼后，请加上此信的标题，例如︰
dear sir,
re : refuse collection
the body 公函的主体
1.the first paragraph of the letter is short. its aim is to draw immediate attention to the subject of the letter .第一段短而直接，指出信的来意。
2.the second paragraph gives details about what the letter is about, its stand and viewpoint. 第二段叙述详情、其立场与观点。
3.the concluding paragraph ends with the expected outcome or suggested action to be taken. 尾段表达其所希望的结论或建议所应采取之行动。
4.where relevant, give copies of documents as enclosures. never post the original. 如有需要，可以影印方式附上相关的文件。千万别给正本。
signing off 结尾用语
1.one could end with "best wishes"/ "best regards" (谨此问好).
2.the signing off must agree with and match the format and style used for the heading. 结尾必须配合开首用的形式。
‧yours faithfully,/ yours truly, (最拘谨形式)
‧yours sincerely, (较随便)/ yours, (更随便)
3.the writer must sign off himself. 写信人必须亲自签名。
4.under the signature, type the name. 签名底下，用正楷打上名字。
5.the initials in the lower left corner of the letter (e.g. ew/yy) denote the initials of the writer/ the typist respectively. 下左角的
字母代表作者/打字员的名字。
avoid any cumbersome, decorative language or any emotional outburst.
避免用冗赘的花言巧语或情绪化的喧词。
last but not least, before signing off, please check for typographical errors!
最后而值得注意的，就是在签名之前，请对一对信中有否错字﹗