便条是一种简单的书信。虽然内容简单，但却有其独特的风格。主要目的是为了尽快地把最新的信息、通知、要求或者活动的时间、地点转告给对方。常见的便条有欠条、留言和请假条等。
特点：
1. 文内语言尽量通俗口语化，简单扼要，直截了当，无需使用客套语言。In a roundabout way
2. 便条虽简单，但中心务必突出，更要注明活动的时间及地点。
3. 便条不需邮寄，不用信封。通常请人代为转交。有时可写在留言板和留言簿上。
基本写作格式：
便条内容和类型不尽相同，可以灵活变通。但各类便条必须包括以下几个基本要素；1）Date：便条日期2）Salutation：称呼3）Body：正文4）Signature：署名 样例：
欠条：留下字据，表示欠某人某物。条据上需写明钱物名称和数量、立据人及日期。不得涂改。
Sept. 16th, 2002
Borrowed from the Foreign Language Department Reference Library three book a follow: A copy of Englih Hitory and Anthology of Englih Literature by Wu Weiren A copy of A Survey of American Literature by Chang Yaoxin A copy of World Literature by Jiang Chengen.
Wu Zhuo
For the Office of Social Science Department
留言：用书面留下要说的话。留言涉及的方面很多，包括约会，通知，请求等任何可用便条留下的口信。[由www.haoZuowen.Com整理]
Tueday
Dear Li,
A the Spring Fetival i drawing near, Im very glad to invite you to come to a dinner party with everal other friend of our. I’m ure we will have a very happy time and enjoy ourelve thoroughly. Would you like to come on time at 5:00 p.m. today, to Room 6 of Lijing Hotel?? Your alway,
Jiayang
请假条：往往指由于生病或特殊情况不能亲自当面请假，用假条的形式告假。所以，请假条大多是病假条。可以自写，也可请他人。写假条最重要的是说明原因和请假的期限。
Dear M. Jiang,
I am terribly orry that I hall be unable to attend thi morning two period of Englih Cla due to a bad cold and high fever. Encloed i a certificate from the doctor who aid I mut tay in bed for a few day. I will go back to chool a oon a I recover.? Your repectfully,
Tian Ye