(一) 定義

應用文是人們用來處理日常生活、工作和學習的一種簡易通俗的文章。

(二) 種類

應用文的種類很多，包括公文、書信、公約、批示以及單據等。由于篇幅有限，本文僅根據六級考試的實際需要，重點介紹以下幾種常見的應用文——書信、便條、通知、海報和英文摘要的寫作方法。

1. 書信

英文書信的種類，大致分為社交信（Social Letters），家信（Family Letters），及商業信（Business Letters）三種。
一封英文書信主要由九個部分組成：
(1) 信頭(Heading）：信頭，即信端，是指寫信人的地址和寫信日期。信頭寫在信箋的右上角，一般可以從信紙中間或稍右的地方寫起，先寫寄信人地址，后寫日期。英文地址的寫法也與中文習慣不同。中文地址的書寫次序是國→省→市→街→門牌號碼，而英文的寫法則恰恰相反。比較：
中文寫法

中國 福建省廈門市，361021
集美大學606信箱

英文寫法

P.O. Box 606
Jimei University
Xiamen, 361021
Fujian Province
P.R. China

中文書信的日期寫于落款之后，而英文信函的日期位于信端之下，信內地址之上。根據英美不同的習慣，日期可有兩種寫法。如2003年5月20日可寫作：

20 May 2003 （英式寫法）
May 20, 2003, 或May 20th, 2003 （美式寫法）

注意：月份應用英文寫出，不以阿拉伯數字代替，因此，上例日期不可寫成2003，5，20。此外，美式英語要求月份與年份之間用逗號隔開，但英式寫法在月份與年份之間一般無逗號。
(2) 信內地址 (Inside Address)
信內地址是指收信人的姓名和地址，寫在信箋的左上角，從左邊略低于寫信日期的一、二行處頂格寫起。先寫姓名、頭銜和單位名稱，后寫地址，其排列次序和信頭一樣。假如不知收信人的姓名，可用其職務或機構名稱代替，如：

Personnel Director（用職務）
Boots the Chemist Ltd.
16-18 Pulton Road
Chiswick
U.K.

Office of Admissions（用機構）
Fordham University
Rose Hill Campus
Bronx, New York 10486
U.S.A

(3) 稱呼(Salutation)
稱呼自成一行,從信紙的左邊頂格寫起。通用的稱呼是“Dear…”，其后接逗號。
采用何種稱呼應根據寫信人與對方的關系及認識的親疏程度。
① 一般性的稱呼有：
Dear Mr. … ，（用于男士）
Dear Mrs. … ，（用于已婚婦女）
Dear Ms. … ，（用于女士，已婚未婚均可，尤用于對婚姻狀況不確定者）
Dear Miss … ，（用于未婚女士）
“Mr.”，“Mrs.”，及“Ms.”之后可加縮約號“.”，也可不加；但“Miss”之后概不加標點。
“Dear”之后接收信人的姓氏，如“Dear Mr. Smith，”
注意：不寫成：“Dear Mr. John，”
亦不寫成：“Dear Mr. John Smith，”
習慣用法是：“Dear John，”或“Dear Mr. Smith，”
② 較正式、尊重的稱呼也可采用頭銜或職務，如“Dear Prof. Smith，”“Dear Dr. Smith，”等。
③ 在收信人為不知名者的公務信函中，稱呼可用：
Dear Sirs，（當收信對方為單位/公司，而非某人時）
Dear Sir，（當收信對方為不認識的男士時）
Dear Sir/Madam，（當收信對方為性別不明的陌生人時）
Gentlemen，（只用復數形式，且之前不加“”，屬美式英語用法）
④ 稱呼偶爾也用“Messrs.”，表示收信人為兩位或多位男士（如 Messrs. J. Smith & R. White）， 但在更常的情況下表示收信對方是以人名命名的公司。
⑤ 收信人為熟友，可直稱其名，如：“Dear Mary，”，“ My dear John，”……等。
(4) 信的正文(Body of Letter)
正文是信的主體，一般由開場白—主體段—結束句/段組成。
在開場白中，應該直截了當的陳述寫信的目的：是致謝？道歉？祝福？咨詢？建議？批評？請求？……。這與中文書信的習慣不同。在中文信中，我們常用諸如“你好！”，“近況如何？”等客套話開頭。在寫英文信時，應避免受此影響。切記不要把最重要、最醒目的第一句或第一段浪費在諸如“How do you do？”，“How are you？”等無關緊要的詞句上。
信的主體部分可根據需要，分段敘述。表達應做到準確、簡要、得體。準確指的是內容（包括數字、人名等細節）準確無誤；簡要首先應避免使用老式八股套話（諸如“I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter.”等）；得體指的是表達符合英文習慣，措詞與語氣適合通信雙方的親疏關系。如公文信函做到語氣禮貌但不謙卑，直接但不粗魯，簡潔但不唐突。
(5) 結束敬語(Complimentary Close)
結束敬語是寫信人對收信人的一種謙稱，最通常用的結束敬語是：
① Yours faithfully，（英式用法）
Faithfully yours，Truly yours,（美式用法）
（用于收信人為陌生人的正式公務信，對應于稱呼用“Dear Sirs”，“Dear Sir”，“Dear Sir or Madam”，的正式信函。）
② Yours sincerely，（英式用法）
Sincerely yours，（美式用法）
（用于稱呼為“Dear + 姓氏”的正式或非正式書信。）
結束敬語第一個詞的開頭字母要大寫，末尾用逗號。
應該避免使用諸如“We remain yours faithfully”，“Respectfully yours”，等老式結束敬語。
(6) 簽署(Signature)
簽署是寫信人自己的簽名。署名不加頭銜，即不在自己的名字前加“Miss”、“Mr.”、“Prof.”之類的頭銜。若因業務需要，必須讓對方了解自己的性別或職務，可在簽名下行用括號標明，如：
Yours faithfully, Yours faithfully,
____________ 或 __________________

Leslie Archer (Ms.) Wang Wei
(Sales Manager) (Managing Director)
即使是打印的正式信函，簽名也應用手寫，之后再于手寫的簽署下面打印姓名。
代表某人簽名應該在自己的簽署下行寫下所代表的人名，之前加“pp.”（即拉丁語per pro的縮略形式，表示“for and on behalf of”），如：
Yours faithfully,
----------------
Sophie Lee
pp. Bob Taylor
(The Managing Director)
（即代表總經理簽名之意）
(7) 附件(Enclosure)
如果信中已說明有附件隨信寄去，也要在信箋的左下角注明，便于收信人查閱。如果附件不止一個，應寫上幾個附件和是什么附件。附件英文可縮寫為Encl.，Enc，或Encls。例如：
Encl: Doctor’s Certificate
(附：醫生證明一張)
Encls（或Enclosures）：4 Invoices
(附：發票四張)
(8) 再啟(Postscript)
再啟也叫附言，用來補敘信中遺漏的話，因此除非確實需要，最好不用。特別是鄭重的信函更應避免使用。一定得用時將此項寫在署名下一、二行，信紙的左邊。先寫PS.（Postscript的縮寫）然后寫出想講的話。
(9) 信封寫法(Superscription)
英文的信封的寫法同漢語信封的寫法有些不同。首先要注意的是英文信封的收信人地址和寄信人地址的位置。一般情況要把寄信人的姓名、地址寫在信封的左上角。寫法是第一行寫姓名，以下各行寫地址。地址由小到大，地址要占幾行須視其長短而定。寄信人姓名前不加頭銜。使用背面開口的信封也可以把寄信人姓名地址寫在背面。
收信人姓名、地址一般從信封中央或偏右一點寫起。姓名獨占一行。收信人姓名前一般要冠以頭銜或學位。如果收信人沒有頭銜或學位，通常在姓名前寫上Mr., Mrs.或Miss等以表示對收信人的尊敬和禮貌。地址的排列次序、寫法應與信內收信人地址完全一致，也要從小到大寫。如果是寄往國外的信需要在寄信人地址下面和收信人地址下面加上所在國名和寄往國名即可。
也有在寄信人姓名前寫上“From…”表示“寄自……”的意思。在收信人姓名前寫上“To…”表示“給……”的意思。
英文信封的書寫形式也有并列式和斜列式兩種。用什么格式應與信箋中收信人姓名、地址的格式一致。但目前采用并列式的較多見。請看下面例子。
① 并列式
Huang Rong
123 Zhongshan Rd
Siming District, Xiamen
Fujian China 361001

Ms. Helen Smith
Rm. 1023 Blue Mansion
Broadway, CS 20852
U.S.A.

② 斜列式
Liu Yan
English Dept.
Jimei Uni.
Xiamen, Fujian
China 361021
Ms. Helen Smith
Rm. 1023 Blue Mansion
Broadway, CS 20852
U.S.A.

上面談了英文書信的各個組成部分。下面將各部分合起來列一簡表給大家一整體的概念。

HEADING
（信端）
DATE
（日期）
INSIDE ADDRESS
（信內地址）
……………………
……………………
SALUTATION
（稱呼）

BODY OF LETTER
（信的正文）
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
COMPLIMENTARY CLOSING
（結束敬語）

SIGNATURE
（簽署）

ENCL(S):（附件）
(or P.S.)（或附言）

(10) 范文評析
① 商業信件 (Business Letter)
Sample 1

Yan An
P.O. Box 678
Beijing University
Beijing China 100082
May 11th, 2003-07-23

Sales Dept.
P&G Ltd.
876 Hood Ave.
N.J. 98761
U.S.A.

Dear Ms. Smith,

Your newest product, the electronic ballast, seems quite promising. We are sure that it would be widely accepted here at Beijing.

If you have interest in this market, we will be very pleased to be the selling agent. Would you please reply and make an appointment? We would be grateful if you provide the opportunity of discussing this.

Yours sincerely,

(signature)

Lewis Carden

Sample 2
Can An
P.O. Box 678
Beijing University
Beijing China 100082
18th April, 2000
Sales Dept.
P&G Ltd.
231 Hood Ave.
N.J. 98761
U.S.A.

Dear Mr. Cuba:
The ordered goods (subject: order No. NC001 of Jan. 19th) arrived on Feb. 12th in good condition.
But we regret to inform you that they should have reached us by the end of last month. Owing to this delay, we suffered a considerable loss of business.
An explanation of this delay will be appreciated, and we would like you to confirm the delivery date for future orders.

Yours sincerely,
(signature)

Lewis Carden
② 私人信件 (Private Letter)
Sample 1
Mailbox 3-21
Beijing University
Beijing, China
10 June, 2003
176 River Road
New York,

Dear Miss Windy,

Your letter of June, 2 reached me this morning as a pleasant surprise, I had been missing you at the time, my dear teacher. Glad to know that you are planning to come to China for a private visit in your holiday. I eagerly look forward to seeing you as soon as possible.

I have been in Beijing for about 2 years. Since I came to China. Before I began my study in Beijing University, I had to finish a remedial Chinese Class in a middle school. Now I’m studying in Beijing University, this term, I take four courses: Chinese selections, Chinese history, Logic and International laws. They are all interesting and beneficial.

All present, I’m living with a Chinese girl of my age, who is majoring in English, We get along well with each other, and help each other. She helps me with my Chinese and tells me something about Chinese customs and habits. In return, I have offered to improve her English.

During my holidays, I have visited every corner of Beijing. Beijing is an ancient and world-famous cultural city. Especially, the Great Wall is a wonder not only in China but also in the world. It looks like a great dragon lying in the north of China, now I have really known why the Chinese people call themselves the dragon’s off springs.

It is my wish that I will serve as your guide when you come here on a tour in the coming holiday.
Love to your family.

Yours gratefully
Tean

Sample 2

20 Brown Street
London. N.E. 16
Great Britain
Feb. 5, 2003

Dear Miss Helen

I got your letter of January 20 this morning. I was very glad because I had been missing you all the time, dear teacher. Pleased to know that you are coming to London for a private visit this summer I eagerly look forward to seeing you as soon as possible.

This term I take five courses: Chinese, English, mathematics, physics and history. They are all very interesting and have benefited me greatly. I like them very much. I will study harder to make greater progress.

Last three Sundays I went to see some interesting parts of this ancient and world-famous cultural city. It is my wish that I will serve as your guide when you come here on a tour in the coming summer vacation.
Are you still teaching the graduate class now? What English textbook are you using this year? I will never forget your English classes, which were so lively interesting, and helped me immensely.

Love to your family

Yours gratefully
Joana

③ 其它信件 (Other Letters)
下面介紹的其他信件實例可以屬于事務性信件范疇，有些也可以屬于私人性信件，這主要看信件內容和寫信人與收信人的關系。下面是日常生活中常用的幾種專用信件實例。
A. 推薦信 (Letter of Recommendation)
Sample 1

P.O. Box 3567
Nanjing University
P.R. China

30 August 2003
Professor Ellis Browning
Department of English Literature
University of Cambridge

Dear Prof. Browning,

I have the pleasure of introducing to you Ms Hong Feng, the bearer of this letter, who is a former student of mine in Nanjing University.

Ms Hong was a top student in our department, where she spent four years for her first degree in Modern English Language Studies, followed by three years of graduate study in the 20th Century English Novels. She has special in demonstration of her gift and creativity. She has now been accepted by Cambridge where she will spend 3 years working on her doctoral degree.

Ms Hong has always been a delight to teach. In addition to her academic talent, she is pleasant, amiable and understanding. I have no doubt that you will enjoy being her teacher as well as her friend.

I should be very much obliged if you can help her settle in and also give her necessary guidance in regard to her course work.

Yours sincerely,

Fan Wen

Sample 2

Xiaxin Foreign Trade Co. Ltd.
23 Nanhua Road, Xiamen

5 May 1998

To whom it may concern,

This is to introduce Mr. Chen Taiping, the bearer of this letter, who is the Marketing Manager of our Company.

Mr. Chen Taiping has been assigned to do a marking research around the Country. We should esteem it a great favour if you would afford him the necessary information.

Yours faithfully,

Li Ling
General Manager

B. 感謝信 (Letter of Expressing Gratitude)

June 12, 2003

Dear Dr. Smith,

I would like to thank you for allowing me to observe classes as a visiting scholar from China in your nice department with so many talented and productive professors. My one year stay in your country will come to an end, and I’m very happy to say that I’ve enjoyed my time here. I really like your department and your faculty and staff members who are so kind, helpful, and pleasant to get acquainted with, to learn from, and to cooperate with. Your university is an ideal one to visit, to learn from and to do research in.

During my one year stay here, I have studied several courses offered by your professors from whom I have learned a lot from their excellent class instruction. I feel I should say much more, but the language fails me at this point. Your department and your colleagues have given me a host of opportunities, so much pleasure, and good friends, and countless precious memories for which I am truly grateful.
Thank you a million times for the good that you and your friends have done for me. I will always remember you and your friendship. May health, happiness, and progress be yours.

Yours sincerely,
Wang Xin

C. 祝賀信 (Letter of Congratulation)
CHINA SOUTHWEST AIRLINES (CSWA)
Xiamen Office

Address: Wenbin Villa, 68 Mid-Hubin Road, Xiamen
Tel: 9008000 Fax: 606494
6 December 1994

Lucas TAECO Aerospace (Xiamen) Co. Ltd.
20 Diliao Road, Gaoqi International Airport
Xiamen, 3610006

Dear Sirs,

Please accept our most sincere congratulations on the new joint venture you have recently established in Xiamen.

The British Lucas Aerospace corporation is a well-known international enterprise with an excellent reputation worldwide. We believe that the establishment of the Xiamen Lucas, following Lucas-Sydney and Lucas-Singapore, will inevitably make a tremendous contribution to the development of the aviation industry in Xiamen. May we have friendly cooperation in the future!

Wishing you continuous success with the joint venture!

Yours sincerely,

Lin Chun
Manager

D. 邀請信 (Letter of Invitation)
19th Oct., 1999

Dear Susan,
I hope that you and your husband haven’t any plan for the weekend on Oct. 28th, as we would like you to spend it with us at our home in the countryside.
I am sure your husband can find some real fish here in the river, for it’s the best season for fishing. So bring your fishing clothes. And also bring your golf club, as we can also play golf here for there is a world-class golf court near.
We hope that nothing will prevent you from coming, as we’re looking forward to your visit. Be sure to let us know what train you are to take so that we can meet you at the station.

Cordially yours,

Kitty White

E. 申請信 (Letter of Application)

Harbin Electric Motors Factory
412 Qianjin Road
Harbin, Heilongjiang
The People’s Republic of China
March 22, 1998
Mr. Herbert E. Beck, Jr.
General Manager
Standard Motors Corporation
4528 Southland Ave.
Chatanooga, Tennessee 47115
U. S. A.

Dear Mr. Beck,

The reputation and growth of Standard Motors Corporation ahs led me to write this letter. I’m interested in a management trainee position in your corporation.

Currently, I’m the assistant director of Harbin Electric Motors Factory in charge of testing and quality control. I have been granted a leave of one year to learn the advanced managerial skills and develop business contacts in the United States.

As a trainee, I do not require a salary, but would appreciate if your can provide me with a stipend enough to support myself during the year. The Chinese government will pay all my travel expenses.
In the past two years, I have read much about your corporation and its excellent management. To join you and work with you would be a great opportunity for me. Enclosed please find my resume and two letters of recommendation. If further information is needed, please let me know.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Wu Shunxiang

2. 便條 (Note)

便條是書信的一種形式，但比普通書信格式簡單，內容簡短，大多是臨時性的詢問、留言、通知、要求等，往往只用一兩句話。英文便條一般包括：日期、稱呼、正文、署名等項。便條的日期寫在右上角，一般只寫星期幾或星期幾的上、下午，寫上幾月幾日也很常見，不必寫出年份（因為要辦的事大多在當日或近日）。正文盡量通俗，簡明扼要，把事情說清楚就行。署名一般寫上留言人的姓名即可，有時需要寫上與收條人的關系等。與書信不同的是便條一般不郵寄，多用于熟悉的同事、朋友之間，往往是托人轉交或者在某地的臨時留言，也有寫在公共場所的留言板上或者留言薄上。
（1） 請假條 (Asking for Sick Leave)
June 4, 2003

Dear Mr. Liu,
I am awfully sorry to tell you that I can’t come to attend your class in the coming days because of a bad cold. The doctor said I must keep the bed. It may be a few days before I am able to resume my studies.
I enclose doctor’s certificate and ask you for sick leave of three days.
As regards the lessons to be missed during my absence. I will do my best to make them up as soon as I get back from leave.

Yours respectfully
Li Ming

（2） 留言 (Leaving a Message)
Oct. 10, 2003

Dear Robert,
I came to your apartment at 10:30 this morning only to find that you were out. I intended to have a discussion with you about the timetable arrangement of your oral English classes. Would you please give me a phone call to my office when you come back? I’ll be waiting for your phone call from 3:30 to 4:30 in my office this afternoon. Sorry to disturb you. I am leaving this note with Jack and asking him to convey it to you.

Lin Xing

（3） 感謝條 (Note of Thanks)
Sept. 18
Dear Rong Rong,
Thank you very much for the admission card for the exhibition you sent me. I have really learnt a lot form it.
Yours ever,
Hong Hong

（4） 借條 (Note of Borrowing)
15 March
Dear Wang Hong,
I wonder if you can lend me your English dictionary because I’m translating an article and must consult it now and then. I would take it carefully, and see that no damage is done to it.
With many thanks form
Yours ever
Li Ming
（5） 請求(Note of Requiring)
10 June
The housing section,
A great gale raged last night, causing much damage to our classroom, quite a few windows were broken. What’s more, the blackboard needs repairing, several lights can’t work. All the inconvenient conditions affect our teaching and study.
Trusting to be favored with your prompt attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely
Li Ming
of Class 2 Grade 3

3. 通知 (Notice)

通知是上級對下級組織成員布置工作、傳達事情或召開會議等所使用的一種應用文。一般布告形式的通知都在正文上面正中的地方寫上NOTICE或Notice一詞作為標志。通常將發出通知單位的名稱寫在正文的前面，也可以寫在正文的右下角，日期一般寫在左下角。發通知的單位和被通知的對象一般都用第三人稱。如果正文前用了稱呼語，則應用第二人稱來代表被通知的對象。通常講，通知中要寫清通知對象、通知的事情、以及時間、地點等。
Sample 1
The University League Committee
Notice
All the League members of the university are requested to meet in the university Hall on Saturday, May, 3 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss about the commemorative activities of the May 4th Movement.
May 2, 2003

Sample 2
NOTICE

Next 4 days being the 90th anniversary of our university, there will be no school. All teacher, staff members and students are expected to take part in the celebrations to be held in our university. Class will be resumed as usual on 17 Sept.
The president’s office
Jimei University
Sept. 12, 2003

 

4. 海報 (Poster)

海報是一種帶有宣傳廣告性質的招貼，通常用來告知與廣大群眾有關的娛樂動態和消息等，比如電影消息、球訊、電視節目、舞會等等。海報的時間性很強，要求在一定的范圍內傳播。海報往往將內容作為顯眼的大標題。海報的內容則介紹有關具體的活動時間、內容、地點及參加的辦法、主持或舉辦單位等。其書寫形式不定，可分項寫也可以按行排列，主要以能引人注意并有吸引力為目的。在右下角寫出海報的單位名稱，日期寫在單位署名的下一行靠左下角。
Sample 1
This Week’s Film
Name: Waterloo Bridge
Time: 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 20
Place: The Auditorium
Fare: 5 yuan
Ticket Office: The auditorium
The Teachers’ Union
Monday May,14

Sample 2
English Speaking Contest

An annual English Speaking Contest will be held on Saturday next week under the auspices of the students’ Union of English Department. Each class should have a class wide contest within this week to select no more than 5 contestants to take part in the Department Contest. The first five winners will be given awards as an encouragement. Eight teachers have been invited to work as judges. All are welcome to be present at the contest.
The Students’ Union of
English Department
Sunday May, 20

5. 摘要 (Summary)

將一篇文章或一本書的要點摘錄編寫成的短文就是摘要。
（1） 寫摘要要注意以下幾個方面：
① 重點突出
摘要是原文主要觀點的提煉，因此，應該抓住下列幾個方面：文章主題句（thesis statement），段落主題句（topic sentence），重要人物，重要細節和結論等。
② 語言簡潔
摘要最重要的語言特點是簡潔明了，通俗易懂。摘要的長度視文章的長度和要求而定，考生可以借助于分詞段語、介詞段語、同位語、定語從句去濃縮文章。用詞一定要認真推敲，不用冗言贅語。
③ 意義完整，表達清楚
一篇好的摘要，在思想表達、句子結構方面應該清楚嚴密。不能簡單地羅列文章的要點而應該在句與句之間加進連接詞語，如：although, while, in conclusion等等，使得摘要成為一個有機體。
④ 忠實原文，客觀再現
摘要寫作，注意不要加入縮寫者的任何觀點，也不要把原文變成自己的語言，要忠實于原文，按原文的次序排列內容，切不可隨心所欲改變原文先后次序，要客觀地再現原文的主要論點和事實。
（2）寫好摘要要按以下步驟去做：
① 閱讀全文
首先把原文從頭到尾仔細地看一遍，找出文章主題句以及段落主題句，全面正確地理解全文以及作者的意圖。在重要的句子下面劃線。不要在解釋和例子下面劃線，因為這些細節應刪掉。
② 概述重點
重讀一下劃線的內容，去掉一些多余的詞。然后用自己的語言把劃線的內容組織起來。如果要用原文的句子或短語，就應把它們放在引號里。
③ 整理修改
語句要通順，不要把介詞、冠詞省掉。句子要銜接，要注意過渡詞的運用。可以用阿拉伯數字來代替英語單詞，如用190來代替one hundred and ninety，但在句子開頭卻不行。
④ 對照原文
初稿完畢后，應對照原文，看看是否保持了原文的體裁，是否包括了原文的主要內容，邏輯是否嚴密，語法是否正確，拼寫有無錯誤。
最后數數縮寫的字數，注意不要超過規定的字數。
下面讓我們看看如何把這些要求和步驟運用到具體的縮寫過程中。
首先閱讀全文，劃出重點內容。

BRIGHTER PROSPECTS FOR WOMEN IN ENGINEERING

One of the major deterrents to women considering engineering as a career is the all-male image. This barrier is rapidly disappearing as the engineering image changes from that of a hard-hat roustabout at a construction site to that of a thoughtful, logical individual who is genuinely interested in solving the engineering and social problems that face us today. True, she may still show up at a construction site in her hard hat, but her time is more apt to be spent at a desk working on new solutions. A female engineer – unlikely ? Not quite.

Combine as key sentence (thesis).

Delete example.

Although women make up an unimpressive 1 percent of the engineering population, their ranks have been growing. The latest Society of women Engineers survey of schools accredited by the Engineering Council for Professional Development shows that female engineering enrollment increased from 1,035 during 1959-60 to 3,905 during the 1972-73 school year. This increase may not be as large as it appears on the surface. Only 128 schools replied to the 1959-60 survey. But with the advent of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and, more recently, the implementation of the federal affirmative action program, as well as an increased awareness on the part of the schools, 201 responded last year. However, since the number of female engineering students per school has increased, even as the number of males enrolled at these schools has decreased, there is little doubt that the percentage of women enrolled in engineering undergraduate programs is growing.
Include significant statistic.

Delete data of questionable accuracy.

Include significant finding.

Delete explanation repeating above finding.

What happens when the newly minted female engineer tries to enter the field? Initially, she is sought after by almost every employer in sight. Once she is on the job, however, things change. On the average, promotions do not come as rapidly for women as they do for men.

Include significant finding.

Discrimination can be a double-edged sword, however, for unlike her male counterpart, the female engineer is highly visible, and if she does an outstanding job, she may very well be rewarded faster than a man would be. If her performance is average or slightly below average, she may be judged
Delete author’s personal comment.

Include significant finding.

in terms of a number of myths. Perhaps chief among them is the notion that men (and women) don’t like to work for women. In my personal experience, I have found that people who enjoy their work get it done without any thought to whether their supervisor is a man or a woman.

Delete author’s personal comment.

Some echoes of other misconceptions about women are still heard among engineers, and undoubtedly contribute to the lag in promoting women to top management ranks. Examples of these myths are: (a) a company’s public image will suffer if a woman takes over a top management position, because men have traditionally been the corporate leader; (b) a woman won’t travel on sales trips, to plant inspections, to professional conferences ans so forth; (c) women don’t want to accept responsibility; (d) a woman’s family will always take precedence over her career. (Once must ask, why shouldn’t it take precedence over a man’s as well?)

Include factual interpretation and continuation of above finding.

Delete rhetorical question.

It has also been argued that promotion policies don’t favor women because companies prefer long tenure for those elevated to executive positions, and they believe that turnover rates are greater for women. But, not only do government figures show that professional women have working careers comparable in length to those of men, it is also clear that promotions generally accrue to men regardless of age and experience. Over 20 percent of all male engineers are in management, as opposed to an estimated 3 percent of female engineers.

Include continuation of finding.

Include significant finding.

Delete statistics of questionable accuracy.

接下來，可以使用從句、不定式、分詞等各種形式，重新組織劃線的內容，使之成為一篇語法正確，語句通順，意義連貫的文章。

The all-male image has deterred women from engineering careers. This image of a hard-hat worker is giving way to that of a thoughtful individual working on today’s engineering and social problems. Women comprise only 1 percent of the engineering populations, but their ranks are growing. Female engineering students have increased in number while males have decreased. The new female engineer easily finds work but is not rapidly promoted. Because of high visibility, she may be promoted faster than a man if her performance is outstanding. If performance is average or below, she may be judged in terms of several myths: that people don’t like to work for a woman; that a woman in top management harms a company’s public image; that a woman won’t ravel on business; that women won’t accept responsibility; that her family takes precedence over her career; and that turnover rates are higher for women. But careers of professional women are so long as those of men. Men usually receive the promotions, regardless of age of experience.
然后，對上面的縮寫進行修改，把簡單句變成復合句，加上一些連接詞，這樣內容更緊湊，語句更通順。
The all-male, hard-hat image, which has deterred women from engineering, is changing to that of a thoughtful individual working on today’s engineering and social problems. Although women comprise only 1 percent of engineers, their growing ranks are evidenced by an increase in female engineering students, contrasted with a decrease in male students. The graduating female easily finds work but no rapid promotion unless her performance is outstanding. An average or below- average performance many be judged in terms of several myths: that people dislike working for women; that a woman in top management harms a company’s image; that she won’t travel or accept responsibility; that her family takes precedence over her career; and that female turnover rates are higher. In fact, women’s professional careers are as long as men’s, but men usually receive the promotions.
最后，我們還可以把文章進一步濃縮，把相關的內容、觀點連起來，但基本內容沒有漏掉。
The all-male image of engineering is changing, and although women comprise only 1 percent of engineers, their ranks are growing. Female students are increasing while male decrease. Although female graduates easily find work, only the outstanding are rapidly promoted, with average or lower performance often judged according to conventional myths about women in “male” professions.
上面一篇縮寫文章已完成。如果把縮寫文章進一步概括，就成了文章的摘要（abstract）。
The changing status of women in engineering is examined in terms of women’s population increase, job opportunities, and promotions.

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