WRITING

SEMI-FORMAL EMAIL/LETTER
OUTLINE

 Semi-formal letters
 Example

 Structure

 Rules

 Homework
 SEMI-FORMAL LETTERS

No
POLITE Slang

No colloquial
FRIENDLY expressions
(don’t, I’m,
she’s)
FORMAL/SEMI-FORMAL LETTERS
 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 Mr/Mrs, 1. Opening

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

ordered a new Samsung mobile phone on 2. Introduction
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
very grateful if you provided me the tracking 3. Body
code.
I look forward to hearing from you.
• Asking for
Kindest regards, information
• Making
4. Closingrequests
Simon • Stating
paragraph
problems, etc
 STRUCTURE
1. OPENING:
Dear Sir or Madam Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Jones
2. INTRODUCTION:
I’m writing (in order) to… ; I’m writing in connection with…
3. ASKING FOR INFORMATION:
Could you please let me know… I would like to know…
4. REQUESTS:
I would be very grateful if you could… ; I was wondering if you could
5. PROBLEMS:
I’m afraid…. (my parcel got lost)
6. CONCLUSION:
I look forward to hearing from you; thank you very much for your help
 STRUCTURE

7. CLOSING PARAGRAPH

 Yours faithfully (if you start with Dear sir or

Madam)
 Yours sincerely (if you start with Dear Mr/Ms)
 +best wishes
 +kindest/best regards
 (1)HOMEWOKRK TASK

You have just ordered something online from

Ebay/Amazon. You need to change your order.
Write an email to the seller and:

1. Explain why you need to change your order

2. Ask about the delivery

.
 (2)HOMEWOKRK TASK

You have registered to online English courses last

week. Courses start tomorrow but you’ve changed
your mind and want to cancel. Write an email to
Mr. Petrov and:

1. Explain the situation

2. Ask about the refund

.
 (3)HOMEWOKRK TASK

You have planned to create a short presentation

with your colleague. The presentation is due to
tomorrow but you have lost your slides. Write to
your colleague Mrs. Collins and:

1. Explain the situation

2. Create new plans

.
THANK YOU !