一、概述
便条也是书信的一种形式。它的特点是内容简短，主要有临时性的询问、留言、通知、要求等。跟正规书信相比，便条的语言比较口头化，比如要通知某事只需这样开头：Just a line to tell you that ...而无须像正规书信那样This is to inform you that ...开头。另外，在便条中常出现省略现象，例如：“key to back door is under mat.”或者“key to back door under mat .”(后门钥匙在垫子下面)代之以“The key to the back door is under the mat.”。
结束时也无需结尾礼词，只需写上写便条者姓名。如果是关系比较近的人，则只需写上姓或名。
便条的日期通常写在右上角。一般只写上星期几或者星期几上午或下午，也可写上午、下午的具体时刻。日常应用中，写上几月几日的也很普遍。但一般不写年份，因为便条的内容多半是当日或近日内要办的事情。写便条时，不得事先准备，因此无固定格式，大多用手写。
二、注意事项
1.词句简洁，尽量避免应酬语和各种敬词
2.切忌内容空洞、言不达意。
三、分类举例
1）请假（Asking for Leave）
例1
Directions:You are about to write a Business Leave Note of about 100 words. Please describe these information clearly.
1) the reason you ask for the leave
2) the time and how long you will leave
Class 4, Grade 3
Aug. 22nd
To Department Office
Secretary Li,
I’m sorry to apply for ten day’s leave from the Aug. 23rd to sept, 3rd instant. As I have to leave with the time is urgent. My father now in the hospital is badly ill. I have to go to see him and take care of him for a few days. You know I’m the only child in my family. Of course I will show you the telegram about my fathers illness which is recieved from my mother to support my application.
As concern as the missed lessons during my absence, I promise I will do my best to catch them on after I come back to the campus. Wish for your allowance.
Yours respectfully
×××
*本文是一封请假条，一般我们要向上级或老师请假，通常用的是ack for leave这个短语，请三天假可写作：ask for three days’ leave;因病请假则是ask for sick leave.leave在这里是名词用法，文中用的短语是apply for意为“申请”，含有更加郑重的意味，常用于下级对上级或晚辈对长辈的书面语中，“Only child”意为“独生子女”相应的，“独生女”译作“only daughter”而“独生子”译作“only son”. As concern as.后面跟名词性结构，意为“涉及到，至于”与Concerning同意，两者可以互换。
2)约请(Invitation)
例
Directions:You have a ticket to the Russian National Ballet Troupe, which is visiting and you want to give it to your friend Alice. Write a note to her and say:
1) the time of the show,
2) the place where you will wait for her
You should write about 100 words.
Sunday
Dear Alice,
Here is a piece of good news for you. The Russian National Ballet Troupe, which is now on a visit in Beijing, will give a performance in the Beijing Grand Theater tomorrow evening. I am sure that you will be happy to watch it. Here I leave you an admission card. The performance will begin at seven o’clock sharp. I will wait for you at the theater entrance. Please let me know whether you are prevented from coming or not.
×××
* 约朋友一起去看戏，可是朋友不在家，只好留下票子和一张便条，但又怕朋友来不了，所以在便条最后特地写上“如果你来不了，告诉我一声”（Please let me know whether you are prevented from coming）此文的wait for也可以用expect 代替。
3)道歉（Apology）
人非圣贤，孰能无过。在社会交往中，人们常常会出现一些疏忽、过失等。如果发生此类事情，就会给对方带来麻烦和不便。为了避免误解，不影响感情，在这种情况下，应写信给对方予以解释，以请求谅解。
此类信要写得及时，态度要诚恳，用词需谦逊。一般在信一开始就向对方表示歉意或内疚，然后说明原因并提出补救的办法。
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