工作上，總會需要別人幫忙，或者，臨時狀況，需要對方配合、執行我們委託的事情。最直接的英文寫法是「下指令」。例如：
Kevin,
Mr. Hall from Loser Inc called earlier and asked for our media strategies for their new product iSlim. Please send something to him at raj_hall@loser.com.hk by end of business today.
Frank
如果你是Kevin，而Frank是你上司，這樣寫無可厚非。但若你們是同事，你不會覺得奇怪，為什麼他自己不處理？還給你限時間，莫名奇妙!
不管Mr. Hall是多麼重要的客戶，取而代之的可能是同事間的冷漠、排擠，事情踢來踢去。因此，「下指令」的寫法，對內或對外效果非常有限。因為，不管你用字多麼微婉，指令還是指令。
同事間或對合作夥伴、代理商、供應商等，最好的表達是给對方一個理由或情況，增加對方配合意願。例如：
Kevin,
Mr. Hall from Loser Inc called earlier and asked for our media strategies for their new product iSlim. As I am leaving before noon for the States for a regional training, please send something to him at raj_hall@loser.com.hk by end of business today.
Frank
同樣的內容，雖然Frank還是給我們限時，但我們似乎感受到「不得不」幫忙的壓力，這就是理由(劃底線部份)管用之處(但不能經常使用)。
之所以我們還是有些排斥，因為在Frank的字裡行間中，透露「要求」多過「請求」，這是英文表達的癥結所在。至於「要求」這部份語氣，倒是可以透過詞、句調整來改善：
Kevin,
I need a favor.
Mr. Hall from Loser Inc called earlier and asked for our media strategies for their new product iSlim. Unfortunately, I am leaving before noon for the States for a regional training. I wonder if you could dig into your files and put together something for him at raj_hall@loser.com.hk.
If possible, send him the information by end of business today as he needs it for a meeting with his product managers tomorrow morning, and please cc your reply to me so I can follow it up when I settle in the hotel.
Appreciating your big help.
Frank
第三種寫法先說明需要對方幫什麼忙，並給予一個需要幫忙的情況(赴美受訓)。至於限時部份(by end of business today)，開另一段交代原因。這樣完整的表達，加上微婉、感謝的字句(暗紅色字部分)，是不是將Frank原來的「要求」語氣，轉變為「請求」呢?
以下是這類寫法的架構：
- Purpose of your email
- Good reasons / situations + action you want your reader to take
- Additional details your reader need to know before taking action
- Your appreciation for your reader’s help
希望對你的英文email寫作有所幫助。
TC
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好康好看 