它通常是上级对下级、组织对成员布置工作、召开会议、传达事情所使用的一种文体。通知分为口头通知和书面通知两种。作为应用文的一种，它在格式、语言及习惯上有其与众不同的特点，只有掌握了这些特点，才能写出规范化的通知。
1．口头通知。
口头通知是面对面地把事情传达给对方。一般不用写落款和日期。发布口头通知时，应注意以下几个问题：
由于口头通知是通过口头表达的，因此，在正文之前，往往有称呼语。如：Boys and girls，Comrades（同志们），Ladies and gentlemen等。开场白一般这样说：Attention，please！May I have your attention，please？Be quiet， please！Listen，please！I have something important to tell you．
结尾要给听众结束通知的信号：That's all．Thank you so much for it．Thank you．
口头通知的内容应讲清楚时间、地点、活动内容及注意事项。
中考书面表达口头通知的卷面表现形式如下：
Ladies and gentlemen，
Attention，please！
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
That's all．Thank you．
2．书面通知
书面通知是以布告、张贴的形式出现，常常是张贴在显眼的位置，以引起公众的注意。为了醒目，标题的每个字母常大写。
书面通知的格式：
1）标题：在正文上面正中的地方写上 NOTICE。
2）正文：包括具体的时间、地点、活动内容和注意事项。
3）单位：发通知的单位一般写在正文的右下角。有时也放于标题之上，起强调作用。
4）时间：一般写在左下角。
书面通知语言比较规范，切忌使用模糊语言和俚语、俗语。通知中一般无称呼语，常用第三人称，且被动语态使用较多。看一道中考题吧：
明天早晨8：00，二年级学生要在校门外集合。请穿上旧衣服，去农场劳动。请根据所给条件写一篇简短的通知。（2004某市中考试题）
NOTICE
All（of）the students of（in）Grade Two，We'll go to work on the farm tomorrow．Please meet at 8 o'clock outside the school gate. Don't forget to（You'd better） put on your old clothes．
June 25，1998


【一】 ANNOUNCEMENT
Lecture on Twentieth century American Literature
Speaker: Mr. Robert Woo
Time: October 28, 2000
Place: Room 504, Audio Visual Center

Mr. Robert Woo, Professor of English language and literature and Director of the Institute for Sino American Studies at Foreign Languages University, specialized in the study of the American literature development. Teachers and students of the English Department are warmly welcome.
English Department Office

【例二】 BUS TOUR
We are arranging for a bus tour to the Summer Palace on this SATURDAY, 24th September. The bus will depart from the Beijing Hotel shortly after 8:30 a.m. and will return around 6 p.m., in time for dinner at the Hotel. Lunch will be served at Listening to the Orioles Singing Restaurant in the Summer Palace. There will be quick stops at Haidian Free Market and Beijing Zoo on our way back. If you would like to join us, please place your name on the sheet on the Notice Board, or tell Mr.Wang Huaide or Xiao Liu at the front desk, and meet in the lobby at 8:30 a.m., SATURDAY, 24th September.

Cordially yours,
Hu Wendi, Tour Guide

【例三】 ANNOUNCEMENT
Because of the rain the swimming competition will not be held at the New Town Swimming Pool as planned. It will be held at the Jackson Sports Center. Buses will be leaving school at 10 to take you to the Center. It’s about a 15-minute ride. You will be returning to school at 3:15 in time to catch your usual buses home.

Sports Office