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Chapter One: Business Letter
Writing
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Writing business letters is one of the most important means of communication with other companies, either in the same country or abroad because letters can present some details which can not be done by other means of communication. It serves two main functions--- to convey a message and to provide a permanent record for future reference and also valuable proof in the event of legal disputes.
❖ 1. Try to avoid irritating(惹人生气的) and offensive（得罪人的） statements in your letters; Compare the following sentences:
❖ 1a:Why didn’t you read the instruction（说明书） before using the machine? ❖ 1b:You are requested to read the instruction before using the machine. ❖ 2a: In a company as large as ours, we seldom take an order of less than 2000
❖ IV. Special term translation (E→C) .
❖ E.g. despatch money → 速遣费
❖ V. First arrange the following sections in a proper layout, as they should be set out in a business letter, and then write an envelope for the letter.
❖ VI. Write a reply to the following given letter.
❖ VII. Translate the following sentences into English (C→E).
❖ VIII. Translate the following passage(excerpts from contracts) into Chinese (E→C) .
外贸英语函电
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Objectives of learning this course
1. Know the writing principles of business letters; 2. Master the special/technical terms in
international trade; 3. Master and be able to use the commonly used
business contracts and be able to draft them by yourselves.
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Final examination
❖ I.Fill in the blanks with proper prepositions .
❖ E.g. We learn from your enquiry letter that you are in the market for Chinese tample book to you under separate cover yesterday.
❖ II. Fill in the blanks with proper words .
❖ E.g. Enclosed please find our catalogue and the pricelist.
We sustained a great loss of $5,000, for which we have to lodge a claim against you.
❖ III. Special term translation (C→E) .
❖ E.g. 保兑的不可撤销的即期信用证→confirmed, irrevocable sight L/C
expressions in international business letters; 4. Be able to write different business letters in
specific situations; 5. Know the language features of international
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1 Writing principles of business letters ：7Cs
1. Courtesy 2. Consideration 3. Completeness 4. Clarity 5. Conciseness 6. Concreteness 7. Correctness
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1.1 Courtesy
pcs（件）. ❖ 2b: Please note that it is not our common practice to take an order of less than
2000 pcs. ❖ 2. Even if you receive a rude letter, try to write a reply courteously（礼貌地）; ❖ 3. In addition, to write back promptly（迅速） is also a matter of courtesy.