3e graad Writing an e-mail of complaint

• Engels
• Secundair onderwijs

When writing an email of complaint, which style do you use?

1. Formal
2. Informal
3. A style in between formal and informal

How can you start a formal e-mail?

HOW TO START A FORMAL E-MAIL

Dear Mr Smith, / Dear Mrs Smith, / Dear Ms Smith, / Dear Miss Smith,

- when you know who you're addressing the e-mail to

Dear Sir/Madam,

- when you don't know who the e-mail is addressed to

How can you address the teacher?

1. Dear Mr Depoortere,
2. Dear Mrs Depoortere,
3. Dear Ms Depoortere,
4. Dear Miss Depoortere,

How can you close a formal e-mail?

HOW TO CLOSE A FORMAL E-MAIL

Kind regards,

Regards,

Yours sincerely, 

- When you know the person's name you're writing to

Yours faithfully,

- When you don't know who is going to read the e-mail

How can you close this e-mail?

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am a student of Administration at the University of Kansas. As part of the course all students are required to do a six month work placement.

I was wondering if you would be willing to let me do this work placement in your company.

I would be grateful if you would be interested.

...

Edward Miller

How can you close this e-mail?
(select multiple possible answers when needed)

1. Kind regards,
2. Regards,
3. Yours sincerely,
4. Yours faithfully,

How can you close this e-mail?

Dear Mrs Edwards,

I am a student of Administration at the University of Kansas. As part of the course all students are required to do a six month work placement.

I was wondering if you would be willing to let me do this work placement in your company.

I would be grateful if you would be interested.

...

Edward Miller

How can you close this e-mail?
(select multiple possible answers when needed)

1. Kind regards,
2. Regards,
3. Yours sincerely,
4. Yours faithfully,

How many paragraphs does an email minimally have?

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4

STRUCTURE OF A FORMAL E-MAIL

An e-mail  consists of: - a header (with date, subject line, sender, recipient)

                                                - formal salutation 

                                                - opening paragraph

                                                - body 

                                                - closing paragraph

                                                - formal closing formula

                                                - name (and function)

! All parts are separated by blank lines and left aligned!

LANGUAGE OF A FORMAL E-MAIL

- The sentences are simple and preferably short.

- No grammatical mistakes.

- The punctuation is correct.

- Avoid emotional language.

- No slang. 

- Avoid abbreviations and acronyms (ASAP, ...)

- The past form of modals is frequently used: could, would, might, etc.