語言要有禮且謙虛，及時地回信也是禮貌的表現(xiàn)。

例如：
We have received with many thanks your letter of 20 May, and we take the pleasure of sending you our latest catalog. We wish to draw your attention to a special offer which we have made in it.
You will be particularly interested in a special offer on page 5 of the latest catalog enclosed, which you requested in your letter of 20 May.

二、Consideration 體諒

寫信時要處處從對方的角度去考慮有什么需求，而不是從自身出發(fā)，語氣上更尊重對方。

例如：
“You earn 2 percent discount when you pay cash. We will send you the brochure next month. ”就比 “We allow 2 percent discount for cash payment. We won't be able to send you the brochure this month.” 要好。

三、Completeness 完整

一封商業(yè)信函應(yīng)概況了各項必需的事項，如邀請信應(yīng)說明時間、地點等，確忌寄出含糊不清的信件。

四、Clarity 清楚

意思表達明確，要注意：

（一）避免用詞錯誤：
例如：As to the steamers sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco, we have bimonthly direct services.
此處bimonthly有歧義：可以是twice a month 或者once two month.故讀信者就迷惑了，可以改寫為：
1.We have two direct sailings every month from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
2.We have semimonthly direct sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco.
3.We have a direct sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco.

（二）注意詞語所放的位置：
例如：
1. We shall be able to supply 10 cases of the item only.
2. We shall be able to supply 10 cases only of the item.
前者則有兩種商品以上的含義。

（三）注意句子的結(jié)構(gòu)：
例如：
1.We sent you 5 samples yesterday of the goods which you requested in your letter of May 20 by air.
2.We sent you, by air, 5 samples of the goods which you requested in your letter of May 20.

五、Conciseness 簡潔

（一）避免廢話連篇：
例如：
1.We wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter...可改為：We appreciate your letter...
2.Enclosed herewith please find two copies of...可改為: We enclose two copies of...

（二）避免不必要的重復：

（三）短句、單詞的運用：
Enclosed herewith----->enclosed
at this time----->now
due to the fact that----->because
a draft in the amount of $1000----->a draft for $1000

六、Concreteness 具體

七、Correctness 正確

外貿(mào)英語函電范文

　　Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Committee of What City

Address: 地址略-------

Tel: 電話號碼略　　　　　　　Fax: 傳真號碼略________

To: Ms Jaana Pekkala, Consultant for China Swiss Organization for Facilitating Investments Fax: +41-1-249 31 33

Total pages of this fax: 2

_________________________
Dear Ms Jaana Pekkala,

We understand from The Swiss Business Guide for China that your organization is helping Swiss firms in seeking opportunities of investing in China and business cooperating with Chinese partners. To establish business relations with your organization and attract Swiss companies' investment here in What, We write to introduce our city, the city of What, as one of the open cities in Liaoning Province, China and also ourselves, Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Committee of What, as a What government initiative to facilitate business relationship with foreign companies.

Our committee provides advice and assistance to What firms seeking to export their services, goods to foreign areas and import goods and services abroad. We also assist Whatfirms in establishment of joint ventures and carry the procedures for examination and approval of joint ventures and foreign sole investment firms. Our Committee can provide What companies with information on the world market and specific commercial opportunities as well as organize trade missions, seminars and business briefings.

Our committee facilitates and encourages investment from other countries into targeted sectors of What economy and maintains active promotion of What through its network of contacts in domestic and abroad areas.

Nowadays, we are seeking foreign investment in the field of capital construction, such as improving of tap water system and highway construction. Also, we are setting up a tannery zone in Tong'erpu, the largest leather clothes producing and wholesaling base in North China. We invite Swiss companies with most favorable polices to set up their firms in any form on tanning, leather processing and sewage treatment.

Any information on investment projects into What and on business cooperation with firms in What is highly appreciated and will be pass on to anyone who have approached us with interest in similar project. You are also invited to our city for investigation and business tour.

Should you have any questions, please fell free to contact us.

Thank you for your attention and looking forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely yours,

Qiming Di

Commercial Assistant

For Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Committee of What City