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