Writing an email
1st Year Intermediate
2014-2015
Getting started
What do you write about in an e-mail to your friends?
How would you start and end a letter to:
a friend?
your teacher?
Someone you’ve never met?
Choose from the greetings below.
Hi + first nameLove, First name
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms (+surname),Best regards,Full name
Dear Sir, Madam,Yours faithfully,Full name
A friendA friend
Someone you don’t know very well: your teacher
Someone you don’t know very well: your teacher
Someone you have never met
Someone you have never met
Informal email Decide in pairs. Which can you use to start / end your e-mail?
Which of the following phrases would be appropriate in an informal e-mail invitation?
1. Can’t wait to hear from you.
2. I’m writing to complain about …
3. Hi! How are you?
4. Write back soon.
5. Thanks for your letter.
6. I look forward to hearing from you.
end
end
end
start
start
end
Formal
formal
informal
informal
informal
informal
An Informal email
In pairs, rewrite the following sentences in an informal style.
Then check with another pair.
I request the pleasure of your company at the Spring Ball.
Please come with me to the Spring Ball.
Please tell me without delay.
Let me know as soon as possible.
I look forward to meeting you.
Can’t wait to meet you.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Thanks for your help.
I hope my letter finds you in good health.
I hope you are well.
Let’s write
An Informal email
Underline the key words in the rubric. Use the plan to make notes.
Write an e-mail to a friend telling him/her about a very special person you have met.
______ _________________
StructureWe begin an email 1. A greeting: Dear Mary,
Hi Mark,
Hello Susa,
2. Introduction or first paragraphAsk about healthThank him/her for last emailReason for writing
Read the following email
Dear Helen,How are you? I hope you are well and that your mum is feeling better after her operation. Don’t worry! My mother had the same operation a few years ago and she is fine. Anyway, I’m writing to tell you some exciting news.
Structure
3. Body
It is the most important part of the email.
Main subject of the emailWe talk about school/ family/ holidays, etc.
Each paragraph talks about a different subject:a.Schoolb.Familyc.Holidays
Read the following email
Dear Helen,How are you? I hope you are well and that your mum is
feeling better after her operation. Don’t worry! My mother had the same operation a few years ago and she is fine. Anyway, I’m writing to tell you some exciting news.
Last week, I went to a concert with some friends. Do you remember Sophia? Well, she came with us too. We had a great time and we danced a lot but when we were going home one of my friends started talking to her brother who was also there with some of his friends. And, yes!, you are right! I met a wonderful person.
Peter is from Portugal and he has lived here for only two months because he has started working in a local company. He is an engineer. He is very friendly so we get on very well. We never argue. I asked him if he had a girlfriend, but he said that he was not in love. We are going out together and I hope that he will fall in love with me.
3. Who Peter is3. Who Peter is
1. How/when/where we met2. Who you were with1. How/when/where we met2. Who you were with
Structure
4. Conclusion
Closing remark:
a. say goodbyeb. ask the other person to write back soonc. send him/her family your love…
It is the last paragraph
5. Closing of email
Set phrases:
Best wishes,Lots of love,Write soon,…
Read the following emailDear Helen,
How are you? I hope you are well and that your mum is feeling better after her operation. Don’t worry! My mother had the same operation a few years ago and she is fine. Anyway, I’m writing to tell you some exciting news.
Last week, I went to a concert with some friends. Do you remember Sophia? Well, she came with us too. We had a great time and we danced a lot but when we were going home one of my friends started talking to her brother who was also there with some of his friends. And, yes!, you are right! I met a wonderful person.
Peter is from Portugal and he has lived here for only two months because he has started working in a local company. He is an engineer. He is very friendly so we get on very well. We never argue. I asked him if he had a girlfriend, but he said that he was not in love. We are going out together and I hope that he will fall in love with me.
That’s all for now, Helen. I have to go to English class and I can’t be late because the teacher is very strict. Send all my love to all your family and very especially to your mum.
Write soon,Milagros
Dear (+ your friend’s first name),Introduction(Para 1) Thank for last email
Ask about the family or him/her health Introduce reason for writingMain Body(Para 2) Tell him who, where, who with, when, …Conclusion(Para 3)
Encourage friend to come and visit you. Ask for a speedy replyLove, (Your name)
Dear (+ your friend’s first name),
Introduction(Para 1)
Main Body(Para 2 and 3) Conclusion(Para 3)
Love, (Your name)
Write the following phrase in the appropriate place.
1.Greeting2. Introduction3.Conclusion4.Closing of email
June, 2012
September, 2012