此类信件的写法也比较有规律，一般开头段就要开门见山地表达歉意。第二段具体说明自己没能及时提供帮助的原因，也可以适当地询问对方的问题怎么样了，以及自己现在还能做什么等。第三段则是再次道歉，以示真诚。

　　下面有两封信，第一封是John写给他的同事Marianne的求助信，主要是询问她有没有读过关于台湾和中国内地文化差异的文献或相关作品等，他做演讲时需要。但是Marianne却由于私事没能及时回信，因此她事后特地写了一封道歉信，也就是后文的第二封信。信中，Marianne多次进行了真诚的道歉，并解释了原因——她的女儿生病了，需要照顾。加之本已繁忙的工作， Marianne就难有闲暇了。

　　1. reach sb. by phone：通过电话联系某人，即打电话给某人。这个表达比call sb.正式。

　　2. literature 指的是某一科目的文献资料，不能理解为“文学”。

　　3. do a short presentation：做一次简短的演讲。其实presentation的精确含义和“演讲”还是有区别的，尤指那种一边放PPT(幻灯片) 一边给一群人讲解一个主题或一个项目等。

　　Email from John Gu to Marianne

　　Dear Marianne,

　　How have you been? I was trying to reach you by phone1) earlier today but you were not home.

　　A quick question for you: have you en coun tered any literature2)/writing on differences, cul tur al or otherwise, between Taiwan and Main land China that you can share with me or refer me to?

　　I am going to our head office in Arizona next week and I will be asked to do a short presentation3) on the topic.

　　John Gu

　　Email Response from Marianne to John Gu

　　Dear John,

　　I am so sorry that I did not respond to your email or voice mail regarding this request. I did not know any immediate resources, but I had every intention of4) contacting you and brainstorming5) with you.

　　Courtney, my daughter, was sick and I have taken on6) a bit too much between work and the children’s holiday activities. I am so sorry that I just did not respond to you.

　　I hope your presentation in Arizona went well. Let me know when you have a free moment how the trip went.

　　Sorry again for my dropping the ball— especially for someone who is always right there to help me out!

　　Warmest Regards,

　　Marianne

　　4. have an intention of doing sth.：有做某事的念头，就是愿意做某事的意思。句中加every修饰表示强调，即非常愿意。

　　5. brainstorm：这个词前两年在中国很流行，直译为“头脑风暴”，很形象。句中作动词用，意思就是想办法、思考、讨论等。

　　6. take on：字面意思就是把某物拿起来，引申为承担，后接a bit too much表示承担了过多的事情，背负了过重的责任等。

　　7. drop the ball：很形象的表达，比赛中对方打过来一个球，而你没有接住，文中 Marianne借此表达自己没有帮到John的忙。