Basic English Email Writing, including principles, phrases, and examples. Supposed to be applicable to all email writing. Mainly for formal communication
5C principle
Structure(Subject Line, Greeting, Opening, Main Body, Ending, Sign-Off)
Other details
3. Principle- 5C
Correctness
Spelling, grammar, punctuation
Conciseness
Topic sentence then 2-3 sentences in main body
Complete
Don't miss necessary information
Clarity
Use paragraphs
Courtesy
Formal VS. Informal
4. Formal VS. Informal
Informal
A birthday greeting to a
colleague
An email to a colleague who
is also a good friend
A social invitation to a friend
at your workplace
A message to a friend on a
social networking site
Formal
An email to a customer
A job application
An email to your manager
A complaint to a shop
An email from one company
to another company
6. Typical Email
Subject: Drug Abuse Seminar Invitation on 3/1 in Taipei
Dear Prof. Heisenberg,
My name is Yung-Tsai Chu from Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan. We’d
like to invite you to give a speech in a drug abuse seminar for drug enforcement
and researchers in Taiwan.
The seminar will take place on 3/1 in National Taiwan University, Taipei. We hope
you can share your insight into modern illicit drug production. The length of speech
is 50 minutes and it’s followed by a 10-minute discussion.
We would be honored if you decide to take part in the seminar. Please do not
hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to your reply.
Yours Sincerely,
Yung-Tsai
7. Email Address
1. Formal name with your
school/office/company is better
2. How to say email address
@ at
. dot
10. Something More
You can add:
change, new, revision, updated, modified
important, urgent
Friday Meeting Time = Change of Friday Meeting Time
Sales Event Location = New Location for Sales Event
Next Week Work Schedule = Revision to the Work Schedul
12. Opening Sentence
Self-introduction and who your represent
“My name is ___ and working in ____”
“My name is ___ , (job title)”
“On behalf of ____, we _____”
Purpose (next page)
13. Opening Sentence
I am writing to
ask for further details about/regarding/concerning …
inform you that my new address is …
say thank you very much for all your hard work.
apply for the job as Teacher of Maths at your school.
confirm...
I'm writing regarding…
14. Opening for Reply
Thank you for _____
I’ m writing in response to your inquiry
about _____
In response to your request, we can
_____.
19. Ask for Reply
I look forward to V-ing/N
Hearing from you/meeting you/ your reply
Please let me know your opinion about my
proposal/ if this will be possible/convenient for you
I’d appreciate your reply when you have
received my email.
20. Questions
If you have any questions, please don't
hesitate to contact me./let me know
24. Useful Phrases
“I'm forwarding _____ to you”
“I've forwarded _____ to you”
“I've cc'd/cc'ed/copied __name__ on this
email”
C.C. Carbon Copy
B.C.C Blind Carbon Copy
25. Attachment
“Please find attached _______” (photo,
file, document, my CV...etc)
“Attached is/are _______”
“I’ve attached ______”
Attach the file before starting writing
26. More Details
Font: Arial, Times New Roman
Size: 12
Avoid Colorful text, italics, CAPITAL
LETTERS (shouting, aggressive)
27. Tense
To speak about a timetable, use the present simple
Next term runs from 1 September until 16 December.
To speak about a future arrangement, use the present
continuous or 'be going to’
Mr Toshiko is coming to our next meeting.
Next term we are going to learn about pollution.
Use the present simple after when, if and next time in
future time clauses
I will call you when I get to the station.
Let's go for a walk if the weather is good.
28. Punctuation & Contractions
No space before comma and period,
space after them
Avoid exclamation mark in email
Parentheses: space before ( and after )
30. How to Say No Politely
That would be great, but ….
I’m afraid...
I would love to help you, but …
I really appreciate the invitation, but…
I wish I could come, but unfortunately …
I won’t be available on
31. Wrap Up
Subject: Drug Abuse Seminar Invitation on 3/1 in Taipei
Dear Prof. Heisenberg,
My name is Yung-Tsai Chu from Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan. We’d
like to invite you to give a speech in a drug abuse seminar for drug enforcement
and researchers in Taiwan.
The seminar will take place on 3/1 in National Taiwan University, Taipei. We hope
you can share your insight into modern illicit drug production. The length of speech
is 50 minutes and it’s followed by a 10-minute discussion.
We would be honored if you decide to take part in the seminar. Please do not
hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to your reply.
Yours Sincerely,
Yung-Tsai