为保持结构上的清晰、简洁，方便收件人快速获取邮件的主要信息，商务电子邮件的开头部分不宜过长，以3~4行为宜。写开头部分时，可参照以下三种形式。

1. 直接点出邮件主旨。

一般而言，西方人喜欢开门见山的表达方式，因此他们常在邮件的开头部分直接点出邮件主旨。常见的直接表达邮件主旨的句型如下。

● With reference to the proposal, I would like to ...

● I am writing because …

● I am writing about …

● I wish to apologize/invite/complain …

● I am very pleased/delighted to recommend …

2. 先提及与收件人之前的沟通情况(包括发邮件、发传真、打电话或见面等)，然后再点出邮件主旨。

这种形式在商务电子邮件的开头部分比较常见，常用的句型如下。

● Further to our telephone call/meeting this morning, I am attaching/sending …

● Thank you for your fax/email/letter/inquiry/order … Now I am pleased to confirm …

● It was a/my great pleasure to talk to you/meet you/receive … Now I am pleased to inform you that …

3. 先简要介绍写信人自身的情况或与邮件主旨相关的信息，然后再点出邮件主旨。

这种形式通常适用于首次进行商务沟通的人之间。具体来说，写信人需要介绍的内容大体分为三类：①介绍自身的情况(如姓名、工作地点、职位等)；②说明自己是如何获取收信人的信息(如姓名、邮件地址等)的；③介绍与邮件主旨相关的信息。下面举例说明这一形式常用的句型。

● I would like to introduce myself. My name is Michael Lee, and I work as an engineer at HDC. I have been appointed to be your service engineer with immediate effect (即时生效).

● We have learnt from our factory in Ningbo City that you are looking for a supplier of paint brushes (油漆刷). As we have been dealing in (经营) this line for more than 30 years, we would like to enter into a business relationship with you.

● On Saturday, 3rd March, I bought a BX Mountain bike from your shop. Since then I have had to return it eight times for repairs. I wish to apply for a replacement from you.

上述三种形式在商务电子邮件中都比较常见。无论采用哪种形式开篇，写信人都应尽量言简意赅地点出邮件主旨。