Note: This article doesn't have the right to copy from the author of Business Correspondence.  I post this translation just for my own test skill.

Chapter 2    What Is A Good Business Letter?

第二章 何谓优秀的商业信函？

Business letters deal with so many subjects and are written in so many different circumstances that it seems impossible to answer this question with a strict definition applicable to all letters.

商业信函应用在不同的领域和许多不同的环境之中，对所有信函而言，严格定义之下很难回答这个问题。

Dealing with the question in a loose way, we may say, however, that a business letter is ‘good’ if the following conditions are met:

但是宽松地来处理这个问题，我们可以说，“优秀”的商业信函符合以下几点：

1)     The letter indicates that the writer has a good grasp of his subject-matter.

1)     信函要显示写信人对他的主题有深刻了解。

2)     The letter contains everything that needs to be said and nothing that needs to be omitted.

2)     信函应包括了所有需要提及的事情，没有罗嗦的言语。

3)     The letter contains no mistakes of fact.

3)     信函没有错误事实。

4)     The letter is written by someone who has a clear understanding of his purpose in writing the letter. In other words, the writer knows exactly what he wants to achieve by writing.

4)     写信人必须对写信的目的清晰明了，也就是他必须知道所要达到的目的。

5)     The presentation of the message of the letter is clear. The reader sees without difficulty what the facts are and what he should think or do. Thus it is not enough for the writer to collect all the facts of the matter: in addition he has not done his work well, the reader will ask such questions as ‘What is the point of this letter?’, ‘Can they or can’t they supply me?’ or ‘Is it all right or isn’t it?’.

5)     信函内容的表达必须清楚。读者对事情的了解没有困难和明白写信人的意图。因此写信人只是罗列内容是不够的：如果没有写好，读者会问这样的问题：“这封信的重点是什么？”，“他们能还是不能提供？”或者“是否良好还是不是？”。

6)     The tone of the letter is appropriate. The letter ‘rings true’.

6)     信函应有合适的语调。至少看起来真实。

7)     The writer has considered the needs and the business situation of the reader. There is thus a greater chance that the reader will read the letter to the end with interest.

7)     写信人必须考虑读者的需求和经济环境。这样就能让读者带着兴趣通读整封信。

8)     The writer is as positive, helpful and constructive as circumstances allow him to be. The reader sees that his business situation has been considered by the writer and he (the reader) responds to the message of the letter as favorably as circumstances allow him to respond. We cannot always do what the reader wants but we can always show him that his side of the business has been considered.

8)     写信人应该在环境允许范围之下显得主动、帮助和建设性的姿态。收信人能够得知他自己的情况已经被写信人考虑，回信也会在真实情况下的反应。我们并不能够每次都满足客户的需求，但是应该让客户得知我们已经考虑他所在的处境。

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Note: This article doesn't have the right to copy from the author of Business Correspondence.  I post this translation just for my own test skill.

Despite the constant use of the telephone in modern life and despite the popularity of the telex and the ubiquitousness of printed forms, letters continue to be written in millions. Why is this so? Why have letters retained their importance in an age of electrical and electronic communications? Why is it reasonable to think that letters will retain their importance? We shall find the answers if we study some ideas that we associate with letters as a means of communication in business.

不管现代生活中的电话普遍应用，也不管电报的流行和铅印格纸普遍使用，仍有成千上万的信函。为什么如此？为什么在电子信息时代信函仍保持它们的重要性？是什么原因让我觉得信函仍是那么重要？联合其作为商业中一种通讯的手段来看看几个观点就会知道答案。

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