英文便笺(Short Note) 是一种简短信函。它的形式比一般书信简单，多使用非正式语体。写便笺时要写清楚以下几项：

　　(1)时间：即某月某日，如Feb.11, 2005
　　(2)人名
　　(3)事由
　　注意月份的全拼及缩略形式，月份的缩略形式为：Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May , June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.

　　【例一】
　　Wednesday, 21st March

　　Dear Prof. Rainman,

　　I'm sorry I couldn't make our 11 o'clock appointment. Prof. Wolf's lecture lasted a lot longer than I expected. I could meet you in the library Reading Room 4 tomorrow at 10, if that is convenient for you. If not, please leave a note in my mailbox ＃334, this afternoon.

　　Thank you,

　　Elizabeth

　　【例二】
　　2nd August

　　Ms. Zhao,

　　A friend of yours, Li Ping, made a long distance call from Xi'an this morning while you went out. She asked you to book an air ticket for Shanghai at 9 o'clock, August 5, and make a reservation for hotel room tonight. I am sorry that I can't pass on the message to you in your presence, because I was ordered to do something urgent. See you then.

　　Mary

　　【例三】
　　7:30 a.m.

　　Dear Mr.David，

　　I very much regret I was unable to attend school this morning owing to a severe attack of illness. I am enclosing herewith a certificate from the doctor who is attending me, as he fears it will be several days before I shall be able to resume my study. I trust my enforced absence will not give you any serious inconvenience.

　　Sincerely yours,

　　Peter

　　【例四】
　　8:30 A.M.

　　Dear Peter:

　　I have done all my things here. I sincerely thank you for the trouble you have taken for my sake. I am leaving for home by train at two this afternoon. This is to say good-bye to you. Please kindly remember me to your wife.

　　Yours ever,

　　Jack

　　【例五】
　　May 2, 2001

　　Dear Lucy,

　　Can you think of a single good reason why you shouldn‘t spend next weekend with us? I’ve just been out looking at the garden,and it‘s beautiful,you’ll like it.

　　Also,I’m going to have a young man here, a friend of Alva‘s. His name is Peter Groesbeck.Other information you can find out for yourself. Bring your bathing suit, we will meet your usual Saturday morning train.

　　Affectionately,

　　Alan Liu