The Chinese Online Writing Lab

Requests for information often include the following:

Briefly mentioning your organization’s interest in the requested information

Requests for information should not be viewed as merely a means to obtain information. Instead, information requests should be considered as the first step in the identification of the mutual interests of both organizations. For instance, how will the other organization benefit from supplying you with information?

“We intend to explore other possible applications of these films, particularly in the IC, electronics and packaging industries here in Taiwan.”

“We plan to file an IND for scopolamine T.D.D.S. with the Bureau of Drugs (Taiwan’s counterpart of the FDA). Please provide us with the following documents and samples required by the Bureau.”

“Our laboratory is currently developing a flow measurement test rig. Our design consultant suggests the use of ABC valve products on some of the mechanical components. The following is a list of items we are interested in purchasing from your company.”

Requesting information

By clarifying your organization’s interests, you allow the reader to make a correlation between the interests and goals of both organizations.

“Please send me introductory information as well as other relevant publications that provide information on your strategies, methodologies, achievements, and future objectives?”

“Since our goal closely resembles that of your organization, we would like to develop a partner relationship with your Industrial Material Exchange Service and in this way facilitate information exchange and other possible collaborations.”

Additional instruction can be found in the accompanying Power Point presentation.

Further practice can be found in A Correspondence Manual for Chinese Technical Writers by Ted Knoy.