English Letter Writing Skills: Format and Common Phrases | 英语书信写作技巧：格式与常用句型

📚 English Letter Writing Skills: Format and Common Phrases | 英语书信写作技巧：格式与常用句型

Letter writing is a fundamental skill that appears regularly in IGCSE English as a First Language, IGCSE English as a Second Language, and A-Level English Language examinations. It tests your ability to communicate effectively according to purpose and audience. Mastering the correct format, register, and key phrases is essential for achieving high marks in the writing paper.

书信写作是 IGCSE 英语作为第一语言、IGCSE 英语作为第二语言以及 A-Level 英语语言考试中经常出现的题型。它考查你根据写作目的和读者对象进行有效沟通的能力。掌握正确的格式、语域和常用句型对于在写作部分拿高分至关重要。

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1. Understanding the Examination Requirements | 了解考试要求

Before writing, it is critical to understand what examiners look for. Most mark schemes assess three main areas: Content (have you fully answered the question?), Communicative Achievement (is the tone and format correct?), and Language (is the grammar and vocabulary accurate and varied?). You must identify whether the prompt requires a formal or informal letter before you start writing.

动笔前，务必清楚考官的评分标准。大多数评分标准都评估三个方面：内容（是否完整回答了问题？）、交际完成度（语气和格式是否正确？）以及语言运用（语法和词汇是否准确多样？）。在开始写作之前，你必须判断题目要求的是正式信函还是非正式信函。

Another crucial requirement is addressing all bullet points in the prompt. If the question asks you to describe a problem, explain how it affects you, and suggest a solution, you must include all three elements. Missing one will automatically cap your band score, regardless of how well you write.

另一个关键点是必须覆盖题目中的所有要点。如果题目要求你描述问题、解释对你的影响并提出解决方案，你必须包含这三个部分。遗漏任何一个都会限制你的得分档位，即使你写得再好也无济于事。

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2. Knowing the Difference: Formal vs. Informal Letters | 明确区别：正式与非正式书信

The single most common mistake students make is mixing formal and informal tones. A formal letter is written to someone you do not know personally, such as a headteacher, a manager of a company, or a magazine editor. It uses confident but respectful language, precise vocabulary, and does not use contractions.

考生最常见的错误就是在同一篇文章中混用正式和非正式语气。正式信函是写给不熟悉的人，如校长、公司经理或杂志编辑。它使用自信但礼貌的语言、精确的词汇，并且不能使用缩写。

An informal letter, on the other hand, is written to friends or close relatives. It mimics natural speech patterns and may include contractions such as ‘I’m’ or ‘it’s’, as well as phrasal verbs like ‘look forward to’ or ‘catch up with’. The most important task is to choose the correct registry and then maintain it consistently throughout the entire letter.

另一方面，非正式信函是写给朋友或亲戚的。它模仿日常对话的模式，可以使用“I’m”、“it’s”等缩写以及“look forward to”、“catch up with”等短语动词。最重要的就是选择正确的语域，并确保整封信语气保持一致。

Feature	Formal Letter	Informal Letter
Salutation	‘Dear Sir/Madam,’ or ‘Dear Mr. Smith,’	‘Dear Tom,’ or ‘Hi Mum,’
Contractions	Not allowed (‘I am’, not ‘I’m’)	Common (‘I’m’, ‘you’re’, ‘we’ve’)
Vocabulary	Precise and academic (e.g., ‘request’, ‘assist’)	Common and colloquial (e.g., ‘ask’, ‘help’, ‘get’)
Ending	‘Yours faithfully,’ or ‘Yours sincerely,’	‘Best wishes,’ ‘Take care,’ or ‘Love,’

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3. The Heading and Date | 信头与日期

The layout of a letter is the first thing an examiner notices. For both formal and informal letters, your address (the sender’s address) should be written in the top right corner. Do not write your name above your address. The date should be written immediately below your address. For example:

信件的排版布局是考官注意到的第一件事。无论是正式还是非正式信函，你的地址（寄件人地址）都应写在右上角。不要在地址上方写你的名字。日期紧接在地址下方。例如：

In the UK, the date is typically written as ’23rd March 2025′ or ’23 March 2025′. In an informal letter, you might also write the date in a short form like ’23/03/2025′, but it is safer to use the long form in exams. In a formal letter, you must also include the recipient’s name and address on the left-hand side, slightly below the level of your address.

在英国，日期通常写成“23rd March 2025”或“23 March 2025”。在非正式信函中，你也可以写成短格式如“23/03/2025”，但在考试中使用长格式更稳妥。在正式信函中，你整个还必须在左侧、略低于你地址的位置写上收件人的姓名和地址。

[Your Address]
[Date]
[Recipient’s Name and Address]

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4. Salutations and Opening Lines | 称呼与开头语

The salutation sets the tone for the entire letter. For a formal letter, if you know the person’s name, use ‘Dear Mr. Smith,’ or ‘Dear Ms. Johnson,’. If you do not know the person’s name, use ‘Dear Sir or Madam,’. For an informal letter, you can use ‘Dear John,’ or even ‘Hi John,’ if you are very close to the person.

称呼定下了整封信的基调。在正式信函中，如果你知道对方的姓名，使用“Dear Mr. Smith,”或“Dear Ms. Johnson,”。如果你不知道对方姓名，使用“Dear Sir or Madam,”。在非正式信函中，你可以使用“Dear John,”，如果关系亲密，甚至可以写“Hi John,”。

The opening line should clearly state the purpose of your letter. Do not waste time with unnecessary pleasantries in a formal letter; get straight to the point. For example: ‘I am writing to express my concern about…’ or ‘I am writing to apply for the post of…’. In an informal letter, you can open with a friendly question: ‘How are you? I hope you are doing well.’

开头语应该清楚地说明你写信的目的。在正式信函中，不要浪费时间去寒暄，直接切入正题。例如：“I am writing to express my concern about…”或“I am writing to apply for the post of…”。在非正式信函中，你可以用友好的问候作为开头：“How are you? I hope you are doing well.”

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5. Structuring the Body Paragraphs | 正文段落的结构安排

A standard letter has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. In the body, you should dedicate one paragraph to each key point derived from the question prompt. Start a new paragraph when you introduce a new idea. This makes your writing clear and logical, which directly contributes to the ‘Organisation’ mark.

一封标准的信函包含引言、正文和结论。在正文部分，你应该针对题目要求中的每个关键点单独写一段。当引入新观点时，要另起一段。这能让你的写作清晰连贯，直接影响“组织结构”的得分。

To link your paragraphs together, use a range of discourse markers. For example, use ‘Furthermore’ or ‘Moreover’ to add information, ‘However’ or ‘On the other hand’ to contrast ideas, and ‘Therefore’ or ‘As a result’ to show consequence. Linking words are the glue that holds a letter together.

为了将各个段落串联起来，你需要使用多种连接词。例如，使用“Furthermore”或“Moreover”来补充信息，使用“However”或“On the other hand”来引出对比观点，使用“Therefore”或“As a result”来表示结果。连接词是粘合整封信的胶水。

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6. Essential Functional Language | 核心功能句型大全

Memorizing functional language is the fastest way to improve your letter writing. Below are key phrases categorised by their communicative purpose. Learning these frameworks allows you to respond accurately to any task.

牢记功能句型是提升书信写作水平最快的方法。下面是按照交际目的分类的关键句式。掌握这些句式框架，你就能准确地应对任何题目。

• Complaining | 表达投诉: ‘I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction with…’ / ‘I am writing to draw your attention to…’
• Enquiring | 进行咨询: ‘I am writing to enquire about…’ / ‘I would be grateful if you could send me details regarding…’
• Apologising | 表达歉意: ‘I sincerely apologise for…’ / ‘I deeply regret that I was unable to…’
• Suggesting | 提出建议: ‘I would strongly recommend that…’ / ‘You might want to consider…’
• Thanking | 表达感谢: ‘I am most grateful for your assistance regarding…’ / ‘I would like to thank you for…’
• Inviting | 发出邀请: ‘I am writing to invite you to…’ / ‘We would be delighted if you could join us at…’

For informal letters, you can adapt these to a more casual tone. For instance, instead of ‘I would be grateful if you could’, you can say ‘Do you think you could…’ or ‘Would you mind…’. The same communicative functions apply, but the register must match.

对于非正式信函，你可以将这些表达调整为更随意的语气。例如，将“I would be grateful if you could”改写为“Do you think you could…”或“Would you mind…”。这些交际功能是一样的，但语域必须匹配。

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7. Closing Remarks and Signature | 结束语与署名

The closing of a letter must match the salutation; this is a strict rule in formal correspondence. If you started with ‘Dear Sir or Madam,’ you must end with ‘Yours faithfully,’. If you started with a specific name like ‘Dear Ms. Johnson,’ you must end with ‘Yours sincerely,’. Sign your full name in the line below the closing phrase.

信件的结尾必须与开头的称呼保持一致，这是正式通信中的严格规则。如果你以“Dear Sir or Madam,”开头，必须以“Yours faithfully,”结尾。如果你以具体的姓名如“Dear Ms. Johnson,”开头，必须以“Yours sincerely,”结尾。署名时，应在结束语下方一行签上你的全名。

For informal letters, you have more freedom. Phrases like ‘Best wishes’, ‘Kind regards’, ‘Take care’, or ‘Lots of love’ are all perfectly acceptable. You only need to sign your first name in an informal letter, as your close friend or family member already knows your full name.

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Published by TutorHao | English Revision Series | aleveler.com

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