Politeness principle in English
Business Correspondence
2.1 An overview of politeness. 3
2.1.1 Lakoff’s view on politeness. 3
2.1.2 Leech’s politeness principle. 4
2.1.3 Positive and negative politeness. 5
2.2 Brief introduction to English business correspondence. 5
2.2.1 Definition of business correspondence. 5
2.2.2 Classification of English business correspondence. 6
2.3 The relationship between politeness principle and business correspondence. 7
3.1 Politeness in good-news business letters. 8
3.1.1 At the word and expression level 9
3.1.1.1Using specific words. 9
3.1.1.2Using “You” instead of “I” or “We”. 10
3.1.2 At the sentence level 11
3.1.2.1 Using short sentences. 11
3.2 Politeness in bad-news business letters. 13
3.2.1 At the word and expression level 13
3.2.1.1Avoiding you-language when concerning impoliteness. 13
3.2.1.2Using general words. 14
3.2.2 At the sentence level 15
3.2.2.1 Using passive voice. 15
3.2.2.2Using longer sentences with complex structures. 16
3.3 Politeness in persuasive business letters. 17
4.Functions of politeness principle in English business letters. 19
4.1 Maximizing the face-building effects of the good news. 20
4.2Minimizing the face-building effects of the bad news. 20
4.3Lessening the degree of imposition of the persuasive news. 21
