WRITING EMAILS
TOPICS
PART I
Part II
Part III
Introduction
Tips
Frequently Confused Words
Vocabulary
Write an email to a client
Attachments
Idioms
Do’s and Don’ts
Organizing a Letter
Formal versus Informal Words
Writing a Letter to city council
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Salutation
Opening
Body
Closing
Linking Words
Review
Internal Messages
Formal Email
INTRODUCTION
New forms of Communication = New styles of writing.
 #Twitter
 Instagram
 SMS
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXlgOX95Q0U
Email Interesting Facts
 In 2009, 123456 was the most common Hotmail password.
 How do you spell e-mail, email, Email, E-Mail, E-mail or eMail? It seems, the correct answer is e-mail.
 In Dutch, the @ symbol is called apestaart, which means monkey’s tail and in Italian it’s chiocciolina, which
means small snail.
Learning Objectives:
 To write professional correspondence in English.
 To distinguish between formal and informal language.
 To identify the various parts in the body of an email.
VOCABULARY
Concerning
Regarding, with regards to…
Reference, with reference to…
Appreciate
Arrangements
Attention
Regret
Inconvenience
Complaint
Apologize
Details
DO’S AND DON’TS
Subject: Hello!
Hi Jack!!!
My name’s Jaana and I’M FROM FINLAND!!! I bet you haven’t had students from here B4 ;-) ;-)
That’s probably coz we’re so amazing at languages, that we don’t need any xtra help?except
me – I need all the help I can get!! FYI: the problem really started when I was in primary school,
and my parents, who had been arguing non-stop since I was a little baby, got divorced and
decided that I should be adopted as they couldn’t decide who should have custody of me. If I
had been in their situation, I think I probably wouldn’t have known either!! Anyway, this was all a
bit traumatic, so all my school subjects suffered, especially English. HAHAHAAA ONLY
JOKING!!!! :-) (Actually, don’t tell anyone, but I’m actually quite a good student? but if anyone
found out, my reputation would be ruined, so shhhhhh!) BTW do u do courses for uni students?
How many lessons/week? Is there any extra stuff after school, SO I CAN MEET SOME COOL
PEOPLE? How about trips? Give me all the info you can, man.
Jaana (although all my mates call me Jakki!!)
DO’S AND DON’TS
Dear Mr. Jones,
I am a university student from Finland. I would like some information about the language courses you are
offering this summer.
I have the following questions:
1. Do you offer a course for university students, which helps them with their essay writing skills?
2. How many hours a week are the courses?
3. What sort of accommodation do you offer?
4. What after-school activities are there?
5. Do you do any trips to other towns in the UK?
I am hoping to arrive in Finland by June. I would greatly appreciate it if you can get back to me as soon
as possible. I can be reached by phone at ____ or by email at _____.
Best regards,
Jaana Nikkinen
DO’S
If you want action, then give a deadline.
 E.g., I would appreciate it if you could please get back to me by September 1, 2014.
Write action required in the subject.
Use an informative subject line, which says what the email is about.
Write the most important information first.
Use numbers and bullet points to make the message clearer.
Use simple grammar. Avoid things like the passive. (As emails are a fast means of
communication, they tend to be less wordy and complex than formal letters.)
Write short sentences.
Use paragraphs to keep the email clear and easy to understand
Date and Time: use full month, not abbreviation. Eg., September, not Sept.
DON’TS
Write ‘hello’ as your subject line.
Use capital letters to write whole words as in emails, THIS IS CONSIDERED
SHOUTING.
Use different fonts in the email (the recipient’s computer may not be compatible)
Use Italics (the reason may be misunderstood, due to cultural differences).
Use exclamation marks.
Use abbreviations like coz and uni, as the recipient may not understand them.
Use acronyms like BTW for the same reason.
Use smileys. They may be misunderstood and come across as unprofessional.
 Complete handout 2, Formal vs Informal, underlining the correct term.
ORGANIZING A LETTER
What are the different components found in a letter?
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Address Bloc
Greetings
Opening
Body
Closing
Salutation
Name at the end
ORGANIZING A LETTER
Address - To:
Date
Spacing = 3 lines
Address - From:
Greetings
Opening Line
Body
Closing Line
Closing Greeting
Signature
Spacing = 3 lines
ORGANIZING A LETTER
Address block
Salutation
Use both first and last name
Use last name only.
Example:
Example:
Mr Tom Tobiason and Ms Heidi Moore
Dear Prof. Smith/ Dr Smith/ Mr Smith/
Ms Smith
Microsoft Corporation
10 Eddystone Ct
Redwood City
CA 94065
USA
July 28, 2014
FORMAL VS. INFORMAL
 Handout 3 Formal vs. Informal
Sort the greetings under the correct headings: formal, standard, informal.
Opening Greeting:
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Dear Sir or Madam
Dear Prof. Smith/ Dr Smith/ Mr Smith/ Ms Smith
Dear all
Hi everyone
Dear Steve/ Hi Steve
Steve Hi
(nothing)
To Steve
Dear Mr Steve
Dear you all
To whom it may concern:
To: The marketing team
FORMAL VS. INFORMAL
Sort the opening line under the correct headings: formal, standard, informal.
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About…
How’s it going?/ How are things?/ How’s life?
I am writing to you concerning/ with regards to/ regarding/ in connection with/ in order to…
Thank you for your interest in our company.
I hope you are well.
I am writing to you about/ to…
Re:
Thanks for your email yesterday.
Thanks for your quick reply./ Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
Thanks for your quick replying.
I write to you about…
FORMAL VS. INFORMAL
Sort the closing line under the correct headings: formal, standard, informal.
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I look forward to seeing you soon.
If you need any more questions, just let me know.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you for your cooperation.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks in advance./ Thanks.
If you need any more information, please let me know.
Thanks again.
If you need any more info, just drop me a line.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Please get back to me asap.
See you then.
FORMAL VS. INFORMAL
Sort the closing greeting under the correct headings: formal, standard, informal.
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See you/ CU
Cheers
Yours/ All the best/ Best regards/ Best wishes
Yours sincerely/ Yours faithfully/ Sincerely yours
FORMAL VS. INFORMAL
Sort the name at the end under the correct headings: formal, standard, informal.
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A
(nothing)
A. M. Case (Mr)
Alex
Alex Case
WRITE A LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL
 Handout 4 Write a Letter to City Council
1.
Match the formal words to its informal meaning.
2.
Remove the words that are not relevant.
3.
Fill in the blanks to write your letter.
4.
Put the letter in the correct order and fix any mistakes.
TIPS
There is no need to repeat your contact information each time you send a message to the same
person.
While with letters you may wish to begin with “Thank you for your letter of 12 June…” In
emails you do not need to do this. It is still nice to begin by thanking them for something if you
can. However, “Thanks for your email” may be seen as a waste of time.
Use linking words, such as sequencing, eg., firstly, secondly, lastly. Or, number your action items.
The word ‘that’ is the most boring word in the English language and in most instances, you can
do completely without it.
Eg., I think that EPAM is a great place to work. I think EPAM is a great place to work.
WRITE AN EMAIL TO A CLIENT
You have been asked to start work on a new project. Your client is Tommy Hilfiger in
the US. Write a brief email:
 Thanking them for choosing EPAM;
 Introducing yourself to their company;
 Explaining your role on the project;
 Providing your contact details for any follow up.
 Turn to Handout 5, the email template
SAMPLE LETTER
11 June 2007
Mr Tom Tobiason and Ms Heidi Moore
10 Eddystone Ct
Redwood City
CA 94065
USA
Dear Mr Tobiason and Ms Moore
Thank you very much for taking the time to complete
the Guest Comment Card during your recent stay with us.
I am delighted that you enjoyed your visit and very pleased with
the high rating of our services and facilities.
Once again, thank you for your valuable feedback and
for choosing Four Seasons. We look forward to welcoming
you back soon.
GREETINGS
 Do not use ‘Dear Mrs.’
 Use: Dear Ms. Sajan:, Dear Mr. Smith:
 Do not use “Dear Full Name”
 When writing less formally to a friend or a colleague always first name
Example: Dear Slavik,
 When writing formally, if you don’t know the person’s name, use “Dear Sir or Madam”
 When writing to several people, you may use: “Dear All” or “Dear Colleagues”
OPENING LINE
State your reason for writing:
- I am writing regarding…
- I am writing in response to ….
- I am writing to you about …
- I am writing to complain / protest about …
- I am sorry to have to inform you that…
Remind the reader of the first contact or previous
meeting:
- It was good to meet you at the seminal in Paris
- We spoke at the recent conference.
- In reply to your request I can confirm that…
- Thank you for sending me you catalogue…
- Thank you for your interest in our products/company
- Thank you for your e-mail of the (date)
- Further to our phone call (if you have spoken to the
person on the phone)
- Following our (telephone)conversation on(date)
BODY
Tips:
Must be clear and concise, be specific and to the point
Should consist of: Opening, Details, Action, Closing
Paragraphs should be short, no more than 5 lines
BODY
Forwarding information:
 I’m forwarding to you/ I’ve forwarded to you:
 I’m forwarding Bill’s email to you.
 I’ve forwarded the report to you, please have a look.
Request of action:
 Could you please call me later today?
 Please reply as soon as possible.
 Please review the website and send me your feedback by Friday, September 1, 2014.
 I look forward to receiving your comments by Friday, September 1, 2014.
 Could you possibly…
 Do you think you could…
 I would be grateful if you could…
BODY
Asking Questions
Could you tell me…
 Could you tell me when you will arrive…
 NOT: “…when will you arrive?”
Could you let me know…
 I would like to know what the part costs.
 NOT: “…what does the part cost?”
I am writing to ask…
BODY
Enquiry
In particular, I would like to know...
I visited your stand at… and was impressed by…
Reply to enquiry
Can I draw your attention to?
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss your needs in more detail.
Thank you for your email of 12 February enquiring about…
BODY
Good news:
 I am pleased to say that we…
 I am happy to say that we…
 I am pleased to inform you that we have…
Bad news:
 I am afraid the…
 I am sorry to say the…
 I am sorry to inform you that…
 Unfortunately, at the moment…
 I am afraid it is not possible…at the moment.
BODY
Complaints:
There seems to be a problem with the…
There may be a misunderstanding about…
Tip: Suggest a solution if you can.
Response to complaint:
I am very sorry to hear that…
I would like to apologize for…
I was very concerned to learn about.
Thank you very much for bringing this matter to my attention.
Closing line in case of complaint: Sorry again for the inconvenience.
CLOSING LINE
 If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
 I look forward to hearing from you.
 I look forward to meeting you in person.
CLOSING GREETING
 Yours,
 All the best,
 Best regards,
 Yours sincerely,
 Yours faithfully,
 Sincerely yours,
LINKING WORDS
Linking words and phrases join one idea to another.
They help the reader understand the structure of your argument. There are two
types:
 Words in the middle of a sentence that join two clauses: and, but, because, so etc.
 Words/phrases at the beginning of a sentence: However, Therefore, In general, In addition, In relation
to, etc. These are often followed by a comma.
Use them sparingly as they can make your email too wordy.
LINKING WORDS
However,
Needles to say,
First of all…secondly…finally
In fact,
Furthermore,
At first sight,
The greatest advantage/disadvantage of..
Many people are in favour of/against…
In my opinion/view,
While…
According to…
For instance,
On the whole,
In practice,
Due to…
As a rule,
As a result,
To some extent,…
At any rate,
As far as I know,
Under the circumstances…
In other words,
SAMPLE
To
Anthony Sapp
From
Bakhoum Omar
Subject Re: new hotel in Luxor
_____________________________________________________________________________
Dear Anthony,
Thank you your email about opening a new hotel in Egypt. In fact, we had a meeting about this yesterday,
and we made some important decisions.
Needless to say, we think that opening a hotel in Luxor is an excellent idea. According to Ibrahim,
many of our guests spend part of their holiday in our Cairo hotel and then continue to Luxor, where they
change hotels. As a result, if we opened a hotel there, we would already have enough customers
to make a profit. At any rate, I completely agree with him.
In my opinion, the most important thing now is to discuss the financial plan. Perhaps we could
arrange a meeting to discuss the proposal in more detail?
Best regards,
Omar Bakhoum
Egypt Manager
Roses Hotels
REVIEW
 Complete handout 6, the email review handout.
FREQUENTLY CONFUSED WORDS
Accept/except
Hole/whole
Advice/advise
Loose/lose
Affect/effect
Maybe/may be
Bare/bear
Precede/proceed
Brake/break
Sale/sail
Complement/compliment
Than/then
Ensure/insure
Farther/further
ATTACHMENTS
How to refer to attachments?
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Attached, you will find….
I am sending you a survey to complete, attached.
In the attached document, you will find…
Please find attached my resume.
Please find attached the invoice.
I have attached a copy of…
The report is attached.
 Complete handout 7 on referring to attachments.
INTERNAL MESSAGES
Remind
Thank
 Just a quick to note to remind you that…
 Well done! You have done a great job.
 I would like to thank you very much for…
Request
 I would appreciate your help with this.
 Can I ask you to…?
 I would be grateful if you could…
Be helpful
 Here’s the…you wanted. I have attached…
 I will get onto it right away.
 Do you want me to?/Shall I…
Give news
 I am sure you will be pleased to hear that…
 Unfortunately,…
 Would all staff please note that…
Friendly close
Please get back to me if you need any more
information.
Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.
Thank you again for all your help. I really appreciate it.
INTERNAL MESSAGES
Complete Handout 8, Internal Messages
Write an email to your line manager about a training course you would like to go on.
Ideas:
- what the course will teach you;
- why you would like to go;
- how you and the organization will benefit;
- basic information like the cost and dates;
- whether you want the company to pay all or just a part of the cost etc.
Source: http://www.businessenglishonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Internal-messages.pdf
FORMAL EMAIL
Write to a customer to tell them that the product/service they want is not available at the moment.
Prepare the situation using the questions below. The information can be real or imaginary.
• What is your company’s business? What products/services do you offer?
• What is the particular product/service that you normally offer, but is not available at the moment?
• Why?
• When is it going to be available again?
• Who is the customer that you are writing to? Why do they need your product/service?
• Are you going to promise any action, give additional information, offer help, or simply say that you
will tell them when the product/service is available again?
SAMPLE
To
Pekka Halonen
From
Jason Fleet
Subject Your order (WDIYA120006)
______________________________________________________________________________
Dear Pekka Halonen
Thank you for your email, which I received this morning (28 January). I am very sorry that you have
not yet received your order of 100 steel doors (code: 11100876), which you placed with us last
week.
According to my information, the order was dispatched on 26 January. It was delayed because
there was a problem with the ship transporting the goods. I am extremely sorry that you were not
informed about this earlier. I received the news by email, but I have been away from the office
over the last week. I am very pleased to say that your order is now on its way and it will be with
you very soon.
Please accept my apologies once again.
Yours sincerely
Jason Fleet