作者: 郜天輝 轉自:北京新東方雅思
很多小夥伴在平日的郵件裡習慣了用各種網絡用語和玩笑話,但是這種習慣一旦帶到正式場合,可就懵逼了。對於我們在申請時寫給教授的郵件,我們究竟應該如何措辭?到底需要注意哪些細節?
其實,很多文體的英文寫作都是有固定套路和內在邏輯的。雅思寫作是這樣,給教授寫郵件更是這樣!
如果你覺得寫郵件就是“把內容說明白”,或者特別想表達對教授的禮貌尊重、卻不知道該咋說,那一定要看這一篇!
收發郵件
01
抄送
在給教授寫郵件時,有時需要抄送學校的行政助理或tutor以作記錄,這時要注意抄送的表達:
中文裡我們常說“把這個郵件抄送給我”,於是就直譯為“cc me this email”,這是錯誤的用法。CC是名詞短語 carbon copy “副本”的縮寫,不能做動詞表達“抄送”。正確的說法是 copy sb in (on sth): Could you please copy me in on your email to her? 請你給她發郵件時記得抄送我。
02
主題
教授每天可能收到幾十封郵件,所以要想不被遺漏,一定要在【主題】中:說明你期待的回應,同時表達郵件的核心內容。
例如:
- Request: an extension of my essay
- Kind reminder: feedback on my dissertation
這樣的主題讓收件人一看就明白。
郵件正文
01
問候對方
和中國人寫郵件喜歡單刀直入不同,外國人寫郵件的第1步一定是問候寒暄:
常見的用法是 Dear X, 開頭,另起一段寫:
- Hope this email finds you well.
- I hope you are doing well.
如果教授可能不認識你,那就以自我介紹開頭:Please allow me to introduce myself: …
- My name is Tianhui, and I’m a student of your course X.
- My name is Tianhui, and X referred me to you, because …
如果是回覆教授的郵件,那就以感謝開頭:
- Thank you very much for your feedback on X.
- Thank you very much for your interest on X
02
開頭目的
問候寒暄之後,第2步要立刻說明你寫郵件的目的:
常見句式是I’m writing to …
- request a deadline extension on X
- ask for further details about X
03
主體部分
說明郵件目的之後,第3步才進入主體、解釋情況。這裡有一個簡單的3C原則:clear清晰,correct正確,concise簡明。寫郵件不是寫作文,重點在於高效的傳遞信息,而不是用豐富的詞彙量和華麗的文采給教授留下印象。
解釋完情況之後,一定要最後一句話說明你希望教授具體做什麼。以下三種常見情形供大家參考:
請求幫忙
- Can I kindly ask you to grant me an extension of X?
- At your convenience, would you please send me X?
催人回覆
- It would be great if you could let me know X as soon as possible.
- Although I understand that you are very busy, I would appreciate it if you could provide a response as soon as possible. I very much appreciate your time.
添加附件
- Please find enclosed a copy of my writing sample.
- I attach my resume for your information.
04
結尾感謝
清楚地解釋了情況、也說明了希望教授做的事情之後,如果立刻結束那就太不禮貌了:
一定要在結尾再次表達感謝
- Thank you very much for your time (and consideration).
- Your advice on X is highly appreciated.
之後再接一句話表達“盼來信”
- And I look forward to hearing from you soon.
- Should you require any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
05
問候落款
你的郵件落款還在用Best wishes,嗎?雖然沒錯,但我們可以換些花樣:
- Kind regards,
- Warm regards,
再附上你的名字,例如 Tianhui,就大功告成啦!
常犯錯誤
01
回覆太晚
絕大部分外國人有定時或隨時回覆郵件的習慣,如果24小時之內沒有回覆教授那就算是太晚了。這種情況下,郵件正文的第一句話一定要先道歉:
- Sorry for not getting back to you sooner.
- My apologies for the delayed response.
02
不夠禮貌
很多中國學生在學英語時常常忽略委婉表達的重要性,而經常使用一些在母語人士看來不太客氣的表達。例如:
跟餐廳服務員不說 I want some water,而要說 :
- Could you please get me some water?
- Can I have some water please?
跟同學不要說 Please tell me when you are available,而要說:
- Could you please tell me when you are available?
- Please let me know when you are available
同樣的問題也體現在郵件裡:在郵件中要多使用:
- Could you please …?
- Can I …?
類似於Please do …的祈使句要慎用,除非是讓自己做某事:
- Please let me know …
- Please remind me …
03
語體欠妥
如果你有外國小夥伴,你們之間的郵件可能輕鬆友好:
- 【問候對方】時可能會說 Hey Mary, how’s it going?
- 【問候落款】時可能會說 Thx, Tianhui 或者 With lots of love and hugs, Tianhui
除此之外,我們在點擊“send”之前,一定要再三檢查你的郵件內容以及附件,確保無誤之後再發送,給教授留下一個細心縝密的印象,對於錄取也是很加分的!
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