三、语气
正文作为整个信件内容最重要的部分,所选用的词汇和句式无不体现着写信人的态度和语气,应该根据不同的信件内容进行挑选和斟酌。
1、投诉信
投诉信的收信对象可以是比较熟悉的人,如抱怨邻居宠物过于吵闹,也可以是针对公司甚至不熟悉的机构或者某个事件而写的,如对社区体育设施的拆除表达不满。
You heard that a sports center would be closed. Write a letter to the manager. In this letter, you should:
1. Tell how you heard about the news.
2. Say what your opinion is about it.
3. Explain how it impacts your life.
由于对象是某运动中心经理,措辞方面就应该较为礼貌,以下的词句是可以选取作为陈述问题的句型:
I am writing to you to complain about...
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with...
There are some problems with … that I wish to bring to attention.
值得注意的是,也完全没有必要像公文那么正式,只要言语恰当就可以。在叙述问题时可以多以客观性描述为主,辅以主观的感受,显得更有说服力,如:
I found …
I feel quite disappointed that…
在结尾部分说明期望时,也可以搭配同样的语气:
I hope that the authorities concerned will consider my suggestions and improve the situation as best as they can.
I sincerely hope that it will review its management system, with the view to providing, better service to the public.
We trust that you will now consider this matter seriously and make an effort to prevent the recurrence of this kind.
如果是针对邻居再三出现的已经提醒过很多次的问题,我们可以措辞更为非正式一些,如I can hardly bear /tolerate /put up with it any more. 但也不意味着可以出现“guy”等过于口语风格化的语句。
2、工作申请信
G类考生许多都是有工作经验的人,或者曾经有过写工作申请的经历,由于收信人多是公司或者经理级的人,言辞之间应该以正式语气为主:
I wish to apply for the position of…which you advertised in…
I am very interested in exploring the possibility of obtaining a position as … with your company.
结尾部分在阐述希望约见进行面试时,也选取一些较为缓和语气的动词如“hope”来表达:
I am available for an interview every afternoon. Please contact me at…
I hope that after reviewing my enclosed resume you will kindly give me an interview so that I can elaborate on my studies and working experience.
I hope you would consider my application favorably and grant me an interview.
小站后记:看了上文的内容,大家对书信类的写作应该有个基本的概念了吧。正式类的舒心要给人恭谦的感觉,而不那么正式的信件如友情信之类应以友好自然的措辞拉近彼此的距离。