正式书信写作八步指南

As journalists say, don’t bury your head. Find a way to open with the idea or information that you most want your reader to focus or act on. The first paragraph might be the only one he reads, so don’t hide the “ask” in the last paragraph.
如记者所言，不要埋头当鸵鸟。要设法亮出你最希望收信人注意到的信息。收信人可能只浏览第一段，所以，千万别把你的“要求”放到最后一段。

6. Follow the rules
遵循格式

There are rules for formatting a business letter. You ignore them at your peril.
商业信函有其自身格式，你若无视，一切后果自负。

7. Proofread. Then proofread again
检查再检查

No matter how grammatically gifted you are, errors and typos can creep in. When you think you’ve finished writing, read your piece slowly and attentively, watching for those typos. Don’t trust spellcheck. If possible, print a hard copy of your letter and read it—out loud—with a pen in hand, marking those typos, awkward sentences, confusing lines. If it’s really important, have somebody else read it and let you know if you’ve missed something.
就算你语法再好，也还会犯个小错、打个错字。信写完后，一定要慢慢细读，查缺补漏。别依赖拼写检查软件，最好对着打印稿检查——读出声来——同时圈出错词烂句。如果信函尤为重要，最好请别人替你再检查检查。

8. Let it cool before sending
三思而后“寄”

Especially if you are writing to persuade or complain, you probably are motivated by some pretty strong feelings. Absolutely write your first draft in the white-hot heat of passion. Express your feelings. Get it all on paper. But then . . . before you print and sign, or hit send, walk away for awhile. Go do something else. Let that heat of passion cool. Then come back and re-read what you’ve written. Is it fair? Is it smart? Is it true? Is it kind? Would you regret having it read on television, in front of your boss and your grandmother? Make the changes that seem appropriate after your emotions have settled.
写说服信或投诉信时，你的情绪想必很激动，甚至忿然作色。你洋洋洒洒、一吐为快。但是……在你打印、签名或寄出前，还是先放一放吧。先干点别的， 冷静冷静。回头再读刚刚写的东西，你觉得判断公正么？分析可否理智？是否言如其实？语气妥当与否？如果就这么在电视上、老板或祖母面前读这封信，你会不会后悔？情绪稳定后，做些适当润色吧。

Then, and only then, hit send.
然后，也就是万事妥当后，你才可以点击发送。