1. Chunyan Shao (Shandong University)

2.  Introduction: Who you are, Purpose of writing  Body:  1. Scholarship  2. your interest of study:  relevant recent study (specific)  achievement (paper, research)   3. what you know about them:  their achievement (specific)  relevance to you (help)  4. your plan of this visit: Do what?  5. your cooperation:  help your study  help them  Concluding remark:

3.  Be clear  Be organized: Each item in a paragraph  Be polite: No imperative  Be formal (unless write to your friend): Use more indirect speech

4.  Who you are  Dear Prof. / professor Smith,  I am a lecturer / an associate professor / professor/ doctor at Shandong University, China.  Purpose of writing  I am writing to ask whether there is a visiting scholar position available for me at your department / lab.  I was wondering if there is…

5.  I have been granted a scholarship of a one- year visit from Jan 2013 to Jan 2014 by China Scholarship Council.  It will cover all my expenses in the U.S.

6.  I am interested in _____________.  Specifically, I studied___________________ and published _________ papers on that topic.

7.  You have been the leading scholar in this field, esp. your theory of / study on ______ has helped a lot in my investigation of________________.

8.  During this visit, I plan to investigate __________________. That is, ______________ (explanation).

9.  Your insight in _______ and your analytical procedure will be of great help to me in _____________ / help me explain __________. I am sure that I can benefit a lot from working with you.  I would be extremely grateful if you could give me this opportunity to learn from you.

10.  I am looking forward to your early reply.  I would appreciate it if you could give me a reply at your earliest convenience.

11.  Dear Prof. XXX,  I am…. I am writing to…  I have been granted….It will cover….  I am interested in…, specifically….  You are…, esp. your theory / research / experiment on…help me…in my…  I plan to… That is…  Your theory / ideas…help me…and I will benefit…  I would be greatly honored if you could…  I am looking forward to your earliest reply.  Best wishes  YYY

12.  You are going to stay in Chicago for one year as a visiting scholar. Write to your friend there to ask him / her to rent an apartment for you.  You are going to stay in Chicago for one year as a visiting scholar. And you are interested in an apartment posted on the Net. Write to the landlord to ask for information about the apartment.

13.  What are the most important things for apartment renting? That is, what should be included in your email?  Price?  Location?  Transportation?  Laundry?  Parking lot?  Electricity / gas / water?  Reputation?  Structure: wood or concrete?  Neighborhood?  Security?  Floor?  Utility: swimming pool, tennis court, sports?