This is an english writing howto I copied from somewhere (name withheld) some time ago. hopefully you'll find it helpful too.

　日常要處理許多信件電郵,因而運用英語上不得不留神,以下有一些個人意見,也參考了一些書本,希望大家有所得益。

　外貿函電寫作技巧之一 A. 文法上

　1. 切忌主客不分或模糊. 例子: Deciding to rescind the earlier estimate, our report was updated to include $40,000 for new equipment." 應改為 Deciding to rescind our earlier estimate, we have updated our report to include $40,000 for new equipment. (We決定呀, 不是report.)

　2.句子不要凌碎. 例子: He decided not to audit the last ten contracts. Because of our previous objections about compliance. 應該連在一起.

　3.結構對稱,令人容易理解. 例子: The owner questioned the occupant's lease intentions and the fact that the contract had been altered with ink markings. 應改為: The owner questioned the occupant's lease intentions and ink alterations of the contract.

　4.單眾數不要搞亂,不然會好刺眼,看不舒服. 例如: An authorized person must show that they have security clearance.

　5.動詞主詞要呼應. 想想這兩個分別: 1.This is one of the public-relations functions that is underbudgeted. 2. This is one of the public-relations functions, which are underbudgeted.

　6.時態和語氣不要轉變太多.看商務英語已經是苦事,不要浪費人家的精力啊.

　7.標點要準確. 例如: He did not make repairs, however, he continued to monitor the equipment. 改為: He did not make repairs; however, he continued to monitor the equipment.

　8.選詞正確. 好像affect和effect, operative和operational等等就要弄清楚才好用啦.

　9.拼字正確. 有電腦拼字檢查功能后,就更加不能偷懶.

　10.大小寫要注意.非必要不要整個字都是大寫,除非要罵人,:,例如: MUST change to OS immediately. 外國人就覺得不禮貌和喝令人一樣. 要強調的話,用底線,斜字,粗體就可以了.

　外貿函電寫作技巧之二 B. 文體

　1.可讀性.對象是大學程度的話,用高中的英文就行,不要以為人人都是語言大師.多用短句(15-20字吧), 技術性的字,就更加要簡單易明.

　2.注意段落的開頭.一般來說,重要或強調的事情都放在信件或段落的開頭,而句子就放在最尾. 例如: 1.Because he was unable to attend the meeting personally, he forwarded his congratulations on cassette tape. 2.He forwarded his congratulations on cassette tape because he was unable to attend the meeting personally. 兩者強調的事情就有分別了.

　3.輕重有分. 同等重要的用and來連接,較輕放在次要的句子里.

　4.意思轉接詞要留神. 例如: but (相反), therefore (結論), also (增添), for example (闡明). 分不清furthermore和moreover就不要用啦.

　5.句子開頭不要含糊不清的主詞. 例子: These decisions have been a big disappointment to the committee members. They have delayed further action. They是指什么呀????開頭少用this, that, it, they, 或 which.

　6.修飾詞的位置要小心,例如: He could only reimburse the cost after July 15. 應為 He could reimburse the cost only after July 15.

　7.用語要肯定準確.切忌含糊. 例如:The figures show a significant increase." 怎樣significant呀,大哥? 改為: The figures show an increase of 19%.

　8.立場觀點一致. 少用被動語. 例如: Partial data should be submitted by April. 改為: You should submit partial data by April.就很好了.

　外貿函電寫作技巧之三 C. 格調

　1.式樣和句子長度不要太單調. 千篇一律的subject-verb-object會悶死人的.有時短句跟著長句可以化解一下.

　2.弱軟的詞(e.g. was, were, is, are...)可以加強一點. 例如: Prunton products are highly effective in ... 改為: Prunton products excel in ...就有力很多了.

　3.親切,口語化是比較受歡迎! 用賓詞和主動的詞,讓人家受落. 例如: 1. This information will be sincerely appreciated." 2. We sincerely appreciate your information. 明顯地,我們會喜歡第2句.



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