WRITING

PERSONAL E-MAIL
OUTLINE

 Personal e-mail
 Structure

 Example

 Rules

 Classwork
 PERSONAL E-MAIL

POLITE
FRIENDLY

Colloquial
expressions
(don’t, I’m,
she’s)
 STRUCTURE
1. OPENING: a
c o mm

Dear Paul/Sarah ,/ Hi!/Hello Paul ,

2. INTRODUCTION:
I’m writing (in order) to… / It was great to get an e-mail from you!
3. ASKING FOR INFORMATION:
Could you please let me know… / I would like to know…
REQUESTS:
I would be very grateful if you could… / I was wondering if you could
PROBLEMS:
I’m afraid I have a big problem … / I am in trouble because …
4. CONCLUSION:
 STRUCTURE

7. CLOSING PARAGRAPH
ma
com
 Yours sincerely, (if you start with Dear Mr/Ms)
 Best wishes,
a
comm
 Kindest / Best regards,
a
comm
 All the best,
a
c o mm
INFORMAL/SEMI-FORMAL E-MAILS
 If letter is semi-formal avoid extremely formal language because
it’s going to sound distant and cold, e.g.:

TASK:
Write an email to Ebay about your parcel 01 which hasn’t
arrived yet even though it should have a week ago

Dear Sir/Madam, Dear Sir/Madam,

On behalf of your services, I I am writing to ask about my parcel
would like to express my 01 which I have ordered on June 12th
concern about a rather <…>
unacceptable situation <…>
Dear ________, 1. Opening

It was great to get an e-mail from you! I have

been really busy recently and reading your e-
mail was fantastic! 2. Introduction

I wonder if you could help me with something. I

had an argument with my best friend last week.
She is not talking to me anymore and I don’t
know what to do. He thinks I’ve been seeing the 3. Body

girl he has a crush on, but that is not true! What

can I do? • Asking for
information
• Making
I look forward to hearing from you. requests
Kindest regards, • Stating
4.Closingproblems, etc
paragraph
Simon
Let’s see now a formal e-mail to
state differences…
Dear Mr/Mrs ___ , 1. Opening

I am writing about my order no. 20334. I have 2. Introduction

ordered a new Samsung mobile phone on

December 1st however I have not received it yet.
Could you please let me know if the order has
been shipped? I am afraid it had gotten lost due
to the busy Christmas season. I also would be 3. Body

very grateful if you provided me the tracking

code. • Asking for
I look forward to hearing from you. information
• Making
Yours sincerely, 4. Closingrequests
• Stating
paragraph
problems, etc
Simon
 (1)CLASSWOKRK TASK

You had a stupid argument with your friend and

he/she stopped talking to you. Write to your friend
Charles:

1. Explain what happened

2. Ask for advice

.
 (2)CLASSWOKRK TASK

You want to go to a party but your parents don’t

let you go. Explain to your friend Charles:

1. Explain the situation

2. Ask for advice

.
 (3)CLASSWOKRK TASK

You have planned to create a short presentation with

your classmate. The presentation is due to tomorrow
but you have lost your slides. Write to your friend
Charles:

1. Explain the situation

2. Create new plans
3. Ask for advice

.
 (4)CLASSWOKRK TASK

Your friend Charles e-mailed you telling you that he

was invited to a boring party he doesn’t want to go to.
He has better plans, but he doesn’t want to hurt his
friend’s feelings. Write to your friend Charles:

1. Giving your opinion about his problem

2. Explaining it happened to you once
3. Giving advice

.
Choose one prompt:

1. You had a stupid argument with your friend and

he/she stopped talking to you.

2. You want to go to a party but your parents don’t let

you go.

3. You have planned to create a short presentation with

your classmate. The presentation is due to tomorrow
but you have lost your slides.

4. Your friend Charles e-mailed you telling you that he

was invited to a boring party he doesn’t want to go
to. He has better plans, but he doesn’t want to hurt
his friend’s feelings.
THANK YOU !