1、概述
便条也是信件的一种形式。它的特征是内容简短，主要有临时性的询问、留言、公告、需要等。跟合法信件相比，便条的语言比较口头化，譬如要公告某事仅需如此开头：Just a line to tell you that而无须像合法信件那样This is to inform you that开头。另外，在便条中常出现省略现象，比如：key to back door is under mat.或者key to back door under mat .（后门钥匙在垫子下面）代之以The key to the back door is under the mat.。
结束时也不需要结尾礼词，仅需写上写便条者名字。若是关系比较近的人，则仅需写上姓或名。
便条的日期一般写在右上角。一般只写上星期几或者星期几上午或下午，也可写上午、下午的具体时刻。平时应用中，写上什么时候几日的也非常常见。但一般不写年份，由于便条的内容多半是当日或日前内要办的事情。写便条时，不能事先筹备，因此无固定格式，大多用手写。
2、需要注意的地方
1.词句简洁，尽可能防止应酬语和各种敬词
2.切忌内容空洞、言不达意。
3、分类举例
1）请假（Asking for Leave）
例1
Directions：You are about to write a Business Leave Note of about 100 words. Please describe these information clearly.
1）the reason you ask for the leave
2）the time and how long you will leave
Class 4，Grade 3
Aug. 22nd
To Department Office
Secretary Li，
Im sorry to apply for ten days leave from the Aug. 23rd to sept，3rd instant. As I have to leave with the time is urgent. My father now in the hospital is badly ill. I have to go to see him and take care of him for a few days. You know Im the only child in my family. Of course I will show you the telegram about my fathers illness which is recieved from my mother to support my application.
As concern as the missed lessons during my absence，I promise I will do my best to catch them on after I come back to the campus. Wish for your allowance1.
Yours respectfully
*本文是一封请假条，一般大家要向上级或老师请假，一般用的是ack for leave这个短语，请三天假可写作：ask for three daysleave；因病请假则是ask for sick leave.leave在这里是名词使用方法，文中用的短语是apply for意为申请，含有愈加郑重的意味，常用于下级对上级或晚辈对长辈的书面语中，only child意为独生子女相应的，独生女译作only daughter而独生子译作only son。As concern as.后面跟名词性结构，意为涉及到，至于与Concerning赞同，两者可以互换。
例2
Directions：Your father is seriously ill，and you want to go back home. Write a note to the secretary and it should include.
1）the cause for leaving；
2）the days：from 16th to 21 st；
3）Catch on the lesson after returning school.
July 5th
Dear Miss Huang，
My sister called me last night，and she said that my father is dangerously ill. I beg to apply for seven daysleave of absence from 16th to 21st instant，in order that I can see my beloved father.
I should be much obliged if you would grant me my application. As regards the lessons to be missed during my absence，I will do my best to make up for them as soon as I get back from home.
Sincerely yours，
*本格式使用The Semi-indented Form（半缩进式），以前比较时尚，目前大家也继续使用。I should be much obliged if you would是一种客套语，表示结果，我当不胜感激。补课的英文是to make up for the lessons.as soon as意思是一就。
