不管是私人信函、商业信函还是各类便条都是重要的交际形式。所以，要写好各种信函和便条，首先要掌握其写作的语言，同时必须熟悉并运用恰当地表达内容的方式及格式。只有做到这两点，考试时才能真正做到胸有成竹，得心应手。就格式而言，不论写哪一种都有其特定的格式。英语书信，在形式上可分为下面六个部分：
1.信头(The Heading)：包括发信人地址和写信日期。
2.受信者(Inside Address)：包括受信人姓名、地址。
3.称谓(The Salutation or Greeting)如Dear Sir,Gentlemen,。
4.正文(The Body)：是信的主要部分，包括写信人所要表达叙述的事情。
5.结束语(The Complimentary Close)——如Yours Truly,Yours respectfully等
6.签名(The Signature)。
现举一实例说明英文书信格式：
1.8765 Sunset Street
Hollywood 56 Calif.
U.S.A
May 17 1998
2.Mr.Alan Liu
122 Ninghai Road,
Nanjing P.R.C.
3.Dear Sir,
4.This is to confirm in writing our telephone conversation of yesterday regarding an interview you have been kind enough to grant me.
Green Book magazine has assigned me a short article on the hibernation of animals.As Curator of Mammals at the Zoological Park,yiu are one of three porminent zoologists I plan to interview before writing the piece from notes I have already carefully researched.The other two to be interviewed are your colleagues,Dr.Fuller and Dr.Meade,of the University staff.
I can match my plan to suit your schedule,but some day early next month would be best for me.I don't plan to bring a photographer as this piece is to be illustrated by rather amazing pictures I already have of hibernating animals.
A self－addressed,stamped envelope is enclosed and I would appreciate a reply as soon as you can arrange a convenient time.
5.Sincerely yours,
6.John Warner
写这封信的人用正式而又简单的语言，开门见山而又不失礼貌地说出了写这封信的目的——只是核实他要确定的事实。
便条和书信的格式基本相同，只不过要比正式书信要简单一些。如可省略信头、结语等。信函和便条的最大区别在于表达的方式不同：前者要求用正式的书面语言，而后者则常常使用非正式的口头语言。请看下面一个请柬：
Dear Lucy,
Can you think of a single good reason why you shouldn't spend next weekend with us?I've just been out looking at the garden,and it's beautiful,you'll like it.
Also,I'm going to have a young man here a friend of Alva's.His name is Peter Groesbeck.Other information you can find out for yourself.Bring your bathing suit,we will meet your usual Saturday morning train.
Affectionately,
Alan Liu
请看下面一则留言条(Message):
July 20,1998
Jack,
Here are the two tickets I mentioned yesterday for the Beijing Opera“Farewell To My Concubine."You may bring anybody along with you.I hope you'll enjoy it.
Xiao Zhang
