便箋(Short Note)屬于英文信函的一種，實際是一種簡短信函，形式比一般書信簡單，大多使用非正式語體。便箋經常用于熟識的朋友、同事之間，因而臨時性強，內容簡短，格式簡便。寫便箋時需要寫清以下內容：時間、人名及事由。
從格式上來講，便箋的稱呼和結尾謙稱部分是比較隨意的，可以直接寫上對方以及自己的名字，省略類似于Mr., Dear, Sincerely yours等禮貌用語。時間的寫法也相對較隨意，寫星期幾或者月日都是可以接受的，同時還可以具體到幾點鐘。
便箋的內容一般是涉及請假、預約、通知、訪友不遇留言、接電話留言等等，下面我們列舉一些例子供大家參考。
1. 請假條
請假條可由別人代寫，也可由請假人自己寫。無論采取何種形式，其內容必須包括請假事由和期限，必要時還需附上醫生的診斷或其他的可以證明請假事由的書面材料。
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. 約會條
約會條主要用于邀朋友相聚等，內容必須包含約會的事由，如果已經確定了時間和地點，則應將具體時間和地點寫在便箋上。
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. 電話留言條
電話留言(telephone message)便條是在給別人打來電話時，該人不在場，你替他或她接了電話后留給該人的字條。寫這種便條時，首先要告訴對方誰打來的電話，再把電話內容轉告清楚。
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
