Writing a formal e-mail 4M

Lesson goals
In this lesson you will learn how to write a formal e-mail in English.


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Slide 1: Slide
EngelsMiddelbare schoolmavoLeerjaar 4

This lesson contains 31 slides, with interactive quizzes and text slides.

time-iconLesson duration is: 60 min

Items in this lesson

Lesson goals
In this lesson you will learn how to write a formal e-mail in English.


Slide 1 - Slide

You don't know the name of the person you are writing to?

Greeting
Dear Sir / Madam,

Ending
Yours faithfully,
You know the name of the person you are writing to?

Greeting
Dear Mr Smith,
Dear Ms Smith,
Ending
Yours sincerely,

Slide 2 - Slide

Introduction (First paragraph)
* Who you are (name, age, gender, country) and the purpose of the e-mail (complaint, request something, etc.)

My name is Jelle van den Berg. I am a fifteen-year-old boy and I live in the Netherlands.
I am writing to you because...


Slide 3 - Slide

More opening sentences 
(First paragraph)


I am writing in response to ...

I would like to apply for the job of waitress...
I saw your advertisement ...
I am writing in reference to the advertisement as posted in the New York times. 

Slide 4 - Slide

Second paragraph
*Relevant information behind the writing of the e-mail 

I would like to improve my English language skills. I already have a Cambridge certificate. 

I am dissatisfied because I received the wrong book. 
 

Slide 5 - Slide

Third paragraph
*What action you expect the recipient to take

Could please tell me how much the English course costs?

I would be grateful if you could tell me if I can send the book back.

Slide 6 - Slide

Closing sentence 

I hope to hear from you soon. 

I look forward to hearing from you soon. * 

*don't forget that you always use hearing when you choose "to look forward to".

Learn by heart!

Slide 7 - Slide

Closing (formal e-mail)

Kind regards/Yours sincerely/Yours faithfully
White space
Your name and your surname 

Slide 8 - Slide

Word order 

  • Who - does - what - where - when
  • first the place, than the time






Slide 9 - Slide

Punctuation
 . full stop ( at the end of a sentence)
 , comma
                -Jimmy and Johnny hate German, but they love science.
                -Jimmy and Johnny also like gym, history and French.
 ? question mark
 
Capital letters
-starts a new sentence                    This is me. That's you.
-for names of things                       We went to Disney World.
-I (when talking about yourself)   I love English.
          When writing, make sure you pay attention to:

Slide 10 - Slide

Your turn!

Rewrite the whole sentence, using correct punctuation and capitals.


Slide 11 - Slide

my brother works at the jumbo supermarket

Slide 12 - Open question

my brother sister and I watch netflix every night in my room

Slide 13 - Open question

why are you laughing

Slide 14 - Open question

make sure your spelling is in order when writing in english

Slide 15 - Open question

be careful your sentence is not too long it is important to know when to start a new sentence

Slide 16 - Open question

Troublesome words
where - were

where: place
                  That's where she found the gun. 

were: form of "to be"; a verb
                   They were very tired after their trip.

Slide 17 - Slide

Your turn!

Write the missing word (not the whole sentence).

Choose between where and were.

Slide 18 - Slide

We ...... on top of the mountain when it started to snow.

Slide 19 - Open question

Do you know ..... I left my car keys?

Slide 20 - Open question

More practice... 

Slide 21 - Slide

You are writing a formal e-mail to Mrs Evans. How do you begin your formal e-mail?
A
Dear Sir/Madam,
B
Dear Miss,
C
Dear Mr Evans,
D
Dear Mrs Evans,

Slide 22 - Quiz

Translate into English:
Ik zou graag een rondleiding hebben door Londen.

Slide 23 - Open question

Improve the sentence:
I want more information about your company.

Slide 24 - Open question

Which sentence is grammatically correct? (also look at spelling)
A
I'm looking forward to hearing from you
B
I look forward to hear from you
C
I am looking forward to hearing from you
D
I looked forwards to hear from you

Slide 25 - Quiz

Translate:
Is het mogelijk om korting te krijgen?

Slide 26 - Open question

Translate:
Ik heb interesse in uw voorstel.

Slide 27 - Open question

Translate:
Ik ben een 16 jarige jongen.

Slide 28 - Open question

Translate:
Ik zou een paar vragen willen stellen.

Slide 29 - Open question

Do's
- Always write 'I' with a capital letter
- Always make sure your spelling and grammar is correct
- Write the first letter of a month with a capital letter (January)
Don'ts
- Don't use slangwords (spreektaal)
- Don't abbreviate words;
 I am --> not I'm

Never use gonna / wanna / ain't


Slide 30 - Slide

Writing practice test 
(open book test) 


Next week (Monday) you are going to write a practice test.
Bring your dictionary English-Dutch, Dutch-English, English-English.  

Slide 31 - Slide