Additional Writing Tasks

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 Additional Writing Tasks

Name:

1 An e-mail introducing a new employee

Write an e-mail introducing a new employee.
Include:
a reminder to the staff that a new employee will be joining the company next month
the employee’s name and position in the company
his / her background and relevant experience
a friendly greeting

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

As you know, …
He / She is the new …
He / She will be working as a …
His / Her previous job / position was …
He / She used to work …
He / She will be responsible for …
He / She will be in charge of …
We’re looking forward to working with him / her.
We wish him / her much success in the company.
We’re pleased to have him / her join the company.

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 Additional Writing Tasks

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2 An e-mail requesting a quote

Write an e-mail to a supplier requesting a quote for at least four items.
Include:
your request for a quote
a list of the items to be included in the quote
any additional requirements you have

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

We require a quote for …

Could you please ... ?
Our payment terms are …
Delivery must be no later than …
The goods must arrive by …
It’s very important that …
Please make sure that …
Yours faithfully,

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3 An e-mail providing ordering instructions

Write an e-mail to the warehouse manager, providing inventory information for computer
hardware and peripherals and instructions for ordering at least four items.
Include:
information from your inventory
an explanation of why you think certain items should / should not be reordered
a list of which items and quantities are required
an urgent request for one item

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

Please see the attached ...

As you can see, ...
We’re overstocked with ...
We haven’t got any ...
We’ve run out of ...
Please reorder ...
Would you ... ?
Many thanks ...

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 Additional Writing Tasks

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4 A reply to a quote request

Write an e-mail replying to a request for a quote from a computer accessories supplier.
Include:
an acknowledgement of the request
a list of items and the price quote
relevant information regarding discount (if any), terms of payment and conditions
of delivery
an expression of desire to do business in future

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

Thank you for your recent request regarding prices for …

Regarding your recent request for a quote, please find prices for
our products below: …
As a new customer / a valued client, we are happy to offer you …
We can accept the payment terms outlined in your request of …
The earliest delivery date possible is … , provided you confirm
your order.
We would be happy to assist you in any other way.
We look forward to receiving your order / doing business with you.

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 Additional Writing Tasks

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5 An e-mail providing directions to a meeting

Write an e-mail with directions for a new employee in the IT department of a company.
Include:
confirmation of the starting date and time
an explanation of how to get there
instructions regarding what to do when he / she arrives

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

I’d like to confirm you start work on … at …

Our address is …
Our building is near the / next to the …
Our department is on the … floor.
It’s on your left / right when you walk
into the building / out of the lift.
Go straight …
When you arrive, please report to Mr / Mrs …
If you have any problems, ask for …
You can contact me on telephone extension …

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6 A message for an employee in a software company

Write a message for an employee in a software company.
Include:
the name of the person that the message is for, the time and the name of the caller
why he / she had to leave the message
the problem
the required action
the caller’s phone number
the name of the person who took the message

Message to: Message from:

Time:

Useful Language

… called this morning but …

He / She has got a problem with …
He / She needs …
He / She would like you to …
His / Her telephone number is …

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7 A letter of complaint
Write a letter of complaint about some goods that your company ordered.
Include:
the reason(s) for your complaint
how you expect the company to solve the problem

Useful Language

We asked for …
Unfortunately, you only sent …
I regret to inform you that …
The … was missing / arrived late / is faulty.
There was a mistake with the …
You have overcharged me for …
I would like you to …
I hope you will find an acceptable solution
to this problem.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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7 A response to a letter of complaint

Write a response to a letter of complaint.
Include:
confirmation that you received the letter
an apology for the customer’s inconvenience
information about how you are handling the problem
an assurance that this will not happen again

Useful Language

Thank you for your letter of …

We regret the inconvenience that was caused.
We will replace the …
We will exchange the …
We assure you that this will not happen again.
We look forward to working with you in the future.

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8 An e-mail about a meeting

Write an e-mail telling your staff about a meeting in your office.
Include:
the topic of the meeting
the time and place of the meeting
a request for all the recipients to reply

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

I have scheduled a meeting to present /

discuss ...
The ... meeting will take place
on ... / from ... till ... at / in ...
Please confirm your participation.
Please let me know if there are any problems.

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9 A product description
Write a product description for a smartphone that a shop has got on sale.
Include:
an introduction to the smartphone with positive comments
its basic features
its special features
the kind of person who should buy this phone
the special offer the shop is giving

Useful Language

The … is one of the best smartphones on the

market today.
Included in its basic features are …
The best thing about this smartphone is …
This smartphone can …
… is / are included in the price.
It’s more / less expensive than …
Other phones aren’t as …
This phone is ideal for …
This week, we are offering …

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11 An e-mail requesting information about software

Write an e-mail requesting information about software for a sales and marketing department.
Include:
the subject
your requirements
a question about the cost
a question about upgrades
a question about support

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

We’d like a software program for …

We’d like the program to …
It is important for the program to be …
What is the cost of ... ?
What support … ?

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12 An e-mail commenting on an image

Write an e-mail to a website designer with comments about the home page of your new website.
Include:
a general request for changes
a comment about the font
a comment about the images
emphasis on certain elements

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

I’m afraid there’s a problem with …

Please can you … ?
We need to …
Do you think you could … ?
The … isn’t … enough.
If you need more information, please …

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13 An e-mail to a database designer requesting a database

Write an e-mail to a database designer with a request for a new database for your company’s
human resources department.
Include:
a general request for a new database for your human resources department
specifications regarding what personal information about your employees to include
information regarding working conditions to include (position / salary / experience)
any additional requirements
a request for a meeting

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

The brief for … is as follows.

The database must include …
We should be able to …
It must enable us to …
We also require a function that …
If anything is unclear, you can reach me at …
I’d like us to meet in order to discuss …

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14 An e-mail with network recommendations

Write an e-mail with recommendations for a business network.
Include:
the type of network you recommend
the number of workstations and printers that can use the network
the security needed
any other recommendations you think necessary
a topology diagram attached

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

I would like to recommend …

You can have a maximum of …
It is important to have …
I would advise you to …
Please find attached a topology diagram.

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16 A review of an augmented reality video game

Write a review of an augmented reality video game.

Include:
the name of the game
the type of game
the objectives
the type of equipment needed
the advantages / disadvantages of the game (price, user-friendly, etc.)
a recommendation

Useful Language

… is an amazing game.
The objective of the game is to …
In order to play it, you must have …
The main advantage of this game is that it is …
One main disadvantage is …
I like / don’t like this game because …
In my opinion, it’s a / an … game.

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17 An e-mail giving a proposal for a website

Write an e-mail from a website hosting company giving a proposal for a website.
Include:
promise of a high SEO
possibility of incorporating social media
information about placing a trust logo
specifications regarding a payment gateway

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

We will create …
We will increase your website traffic by …
We assure you that …
We guarantee to …
Your customers will be able to …
All customer information will …

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18 An e-mail regarding network security

You are the manager of an IT department. Write an e-mail to a member of your team and give instructions
regarding network security.
Include:
the need to reassess security
a request to check vendors for installing a new program
the need to implement password protection to the router
the importance of using multi-factor authentication for employees

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

As a result of last week’s cyberattack, we

have to …
In order to provide better security, we must …
I’d like you to …
In addition, please make sure that …
Could you also please … ?
If you have any questions, you can …

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19 An e-mail requesting information about a job

Write an e-mail requesting more information after seeing an advertisement for an IT job position.
Include:
`clarification of the job you are interested in
a request for specific additional information
details about your suitability for the position

To:

From:

Subject:

Useful Language

I am writing in response to the advertisement

for a / an …
I saw the position of … advertised in …
I have … years of experience in …
I would be suitable for this position because …
I would be grateful if you could answer the
following questions.
Does the job involve … ?
What work responsibilities would I have?
How much holiday leave / overtime … ?
Do you require … ?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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