| Acknowledgements | 第1-6页 |
| Abstract in English | 第6-8页 |
| Abstract in Chinese | 第8-9页 |
| List of Tables | 第9-12页 |
| Chapter 1 Introduction | 第12-16页 |
| ·Purposes and significance of the study | 第12页 |
| ·Review of studies on English business correspondence | 第12-14页 |
| ·Data collection | 第14-15页 |
| ·Layout of the thesis | 第15-16页 |
| Chapter 2 Modern English Business Correspondence | 第16-27页 |
| ·Definitions of business correspondence | 第16-18页 |
| ·Classifications of business correspondence | 第18-19页 |
| ·Elements of business correspondence | 第19-23页 |
| ·Layout of business correspondence | 第23-24页 |
| ·Opening and closing sentences commonly used in business correspondence | 第24-25页 |
| ·Functions of business correspondence | 第25-27页 |
| Chapter 3 Lexical Features of Business Correspondence | 第27-39页 |
| ·Choice of common or familiar words | 第27-30页 |
| ·Proper use of technical terms or specialized vocabulary | 第30-33页 |
| ·Frequent use of abbreviations | 第33-37页 |
| ·Preference of positive words to negative words | 第37-39页 |
| Chapter 4 Syntactic Features of Business Correspondence | 第39-46页 |
| ·Use of declarative sentences and imperative sentences | 第39-42页 |
| ·Use of simple sentences and complex sentences | 第42-45页 |
| ·Use of incomplete sentences | 第45-46页 |
| Chapter 5 Textual Features of Business Correspondence | 第46-55页 |
| ·Simple and straightforward subject headings | 第46-47页 |
| ·Semi-formal salutation | 第47-49页 |
| ·Paragraph organization | 第49-51页 |
| ·Cohesive properties | 第51-52页 |
| ·Use of lists and tables | 第52-55页 |
| Chapter 6 Comparison Study of Authentic Business Correspondence and "Specimen Business Letters" in Course Books | 第55-63页 |
| ·Sample selection | 第55页 |
| ·Comparative analysis | 第55-60页 |
| ·Course books vs. real practice | 第60-63页 |
| Chapter 7 Conclusion | 第63-66页 |
| ·Summary | 第63-64页 |
| ·Implications on teaching and learning | 第64页 |
| ·Limitations of the study | 第64-66页 |
| Bibliography | 第66-68页 |
| Appendix Sample Business Correspondence | 第68-76页 |
