Abstract:At present, with the rapid development of economy and society, foreign trades are more and frequent among the world. English business letters are one kind of tools for communication in the international trades and international businesses. Therefore, the role of English business letters can not be ignored and becomes more and more important. Appropriate English business letters can not only make trades smoothly but also enhance friendly relationship between two parties of the transaction. English business letters require the writer to understand politeness principle. The writer should also use politeness principle well when they are writing business letters in order to make business letters more professional and appropriate. This article has collected some cases in English business letters and explored the realization of politeness principle in business letters. It has put forward some matters that should be paid attention to.

Key words: English business letters; politeness principle; appropriate

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction .1

2. Literature Review 1

2.1 Business Letters 

2.2 Politeness Principle

2.3 Previous Studies on Politeness in Business Letters

3. Politeness Principle in Good-news Business Letters 4

3.1 Use Active Voice

3.2 Use Affirmative Structures

3.3 Use Short Sentences

4. Politeness Principle in Bad-news Business Letters 7

4.1 Use Passive Voice

4.2 Use Subjunctive Mood

4.3 Use Interrogative Sentences

5. Politeness Principle in Persuasive Business Letters .9

5.1 Use You-Language

5.2 Use Friendly Expressions

5.3 Use Modal Auxiliary

6. Conclusion .10

Bibliography 12

Acknowledgements130