【正文】 ation in correspondence writing. Even if there are plaints, claims and adjustments in badnews letter, correspondence writing should stick to “minimize praise of self and maximize praise of other” (Leech, 1983: 109). If one party cannot fulfill the whole or part of the contract, and causes the other lost, they better negotiate with each other friendly or find out the solution to make up the lost. Therefore, in business correspondence, there are few claiming words. However, when writing refusing and disappointing letters, approbation maxim should be applied appropriately in order to decline reader’s disfavor. E .g:Dear Sirs,Thank you for letting us know about your concern that our quotation for the 1000 Folded Chairs you enquired about last week is higher than the average market level. As we understand your letter you feel you could have gotten essentially the same quality chairs as you purchased from us last year for about the same price as our last year’s. As a result, you would like either to ask for the same price as last year’s or receive a 5% discount.With the present market trend, we have to say that our price is really the best we can quote, notwithstanding we would do everything possible to make you satisfy with your purchase.I hope this explanation answers your question concerning our explanation, also answers your question concerning our price structure, and look forward to your order. Yours faithfully, WilsonThe aim of the above letter is to refuse the declining requirement of the other party. But at the beginning of the letter, the writer uses grateful tone and mentions the other party’s requirement. Then, it indirectly points out the reason of the wrong price elimination without saying angularly “you can not buy them at the same price as last year’s…” but in a good tone “As we understand your letter you feel you could have gotten essentially…As a result, you would like...” In this way, the correspondence has realized the principle “Minimize praise of self”. In addition, the letter expresses the addresser would try his best to satisfy the addressee, because the quotation is “the best price” and hope to receive the buyer’s order. This correspondence skillfully applies “Approbation Maxim” to refuse the bid.. Application of Modest MaximModesty Maxim is based on the principle “minimizes praise of self, maximize dispraise of self”. Foreign trade is plicated and painstaking which is in need of the close cooperation and intime munication. When problem es out, we can’t just find causes from the other but most importantly from ourselves. We should admit the mistake of ourselves impersonally. In the letter below, the seller has delayed the delivery of the goods but it has gained the acceptance of extending L/C from the buyer and finally fulfills the contact.Dear…Re: Your L/C No. 5757 covering your Order .Thank you for your extension of your L/C . Today we shipped the above consignment on board . “Nellore” which sails for your port tomorrow.Enclosed please find one set of the shipping documents covering this consignment, as follows:(1) One nonnegotiable copy of B/L。(2) Invoice in duplicate。(3) Packing list in triplicate。(4) One copy of Manufacturer’s Certificate of Quality。(5) One copy of Insurance Policy.We are glad to have filled your order after long delay and trust that the goods will reach you in time to meet your urgent need and that will turn out to your plete satisfaction.We will fill your future orders promptly and more carefully. Sincerely, SmithIn the letter, the seller first of all gives thanks to the buyer’s cooperation of postponing the expiring date of L/C, so that the seller can be shipped on “Nellore” and sent the buyer shipping advice. At last, it expresses “we will fill your future order”. Although perhaps there are objective reasons for delaying shipment, the seller expresses his modesty and leaves a “conscientious” impression to the buyer, which can maintain good trade relationship of both parties. . Application of Agreement MaximThis maxim means to minimize disagreement between self and other and maximize agreement between self and other. (Leech, 1983: 111) Agreement maxim is the one of the basic principles in business correspondence. Actually, in factual business munication, the benefit and opinion of both parties usually exist differences and conflicts. In accordance with this maxim, they should extend their agreement first, and mention the difference latter. E. g:Dear Sir:Thank you for your quotation of 20 August and for the samples of shoes you have sent us.We appreciate the good quality of your shoes, but unfortunately your prices appear to be on the high side even for the shoes of this quality. We regret that at these prices we cannot place an order.We, however, like the quality of your goods and would wele the opportunity to do business with you. May we suggest that you make some allowance on your quoted prices so as to introduce your goods to our customers? Yours faithfully, Joseph BlackThis is a reply from a buyer for quotation, aiming at requiring the seller to offer discount of the price. Although there is disagreement on the price, firstly the letter mentioned agreement on the good quality of shoes and then put forward the disagreement “…your prices appear to be on the high side even for shoes of this quality.” In this way, the seller is willing to accept the disagreement. In addition, in the end of the letter the buyer mentions the quality again (agreement)。 meanwhile, the writer makes the discount requirement which greatly e to possibility of munication and trade.. Application of Sympa