便笺(Short Note)属于英文信函的一种，实际是一种简短信函，形式比一般书信简单，大多使用非正式语体。便笺经常用于熟识的朋友、同事之间，因而临时性强，内容简短，格式简便。写便笺时需要写清以下内容：时间、人名及事由。
从格式上来讲，便笺的称呼和结尾谦称部分是比较随意的，可以直接写上对方以及自己的名字，省略类似于Mr., Dear, Sincerely yours等礼貌用语。时间的写法也相对较随意，写星期几或者月日都是可以接受的，同时还可以具体到几点钟。
便笺的内容一般是涉及请假、预约、通知、访友不遇留言、接电话留言等等，下面我们列举一些例子供大家参考。
1. 请假条
请假条可由别人代写，也可由请假人自己写。无论采取何种形式，其内容必须包括请假事由和期限，必要时还需附上医生的诊断或其他的可以证明请假事由的书面材料。
July 20, 2007
Dear Mr. Black:
I am terribly sorry to inform you that I am unable to go to school today owing to a severe headache. I enclose a certificate from the doctor who is attending on me, as she fears it will be two days before I shall be able to resume my study. Could you kindly excuse my absence on Monday and Tuesday? Thanks。
Peter
2. 约会条
约会条主要用于邀朋友相聚等，内容必须包含约会的事由，如果已经确定了时间和地点，则应将具体时间和地点写在便笺上。
Aug 8, 2007
Andy,
Fred is now with us. He is going to New York tomorrow morning to pursue his graduate study and we will not be able to see him for a long time. We are having a dinner party at 7 p.m. this evening at my home. It would be nice if you could come over and see him。
Michael
3. 电话留言条
电话留言(telephone message)便条是在给别人打来电话时，该人不在场，你替他或她接了电话后留给该人的字条。写这种便条时，首先要告诉对方谁打来的电话，再把电话内容转告清楚。
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Ms Wang,
A friend of yours, Zhang Peng, made a long distance call from Shanghai this morning while you went out. He asked you to book an air ticket for Hebei at 2: 30 a.m., February 8, and make a reservation for hotel room tonight. I am sorry that I can't pass on the message to you in your presence, because I was ordered to do something urgent。
Zhao Yang
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