Writing English - Informal E-mail A2+

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo b, k
• Leerjaar 3,4

English -> an informal email to a friend

Lesdoelen- Objectives of this lesson 

• By the end of the lesson, we will learn vocabulary related to vacations.

(aan het einde van de les leren we woordenschat die te maken heeft met vakanties).

• By the end of the lesson, we will learn the structure and language of an informal email.

(aan het einde van de les leren we de structuur en het taalgebruik van een informele e-mail).

• We will be able to write an informal email to a friend to tell our vacation story.

(we kunnen een informele e-mail schrijven aan een vriend om ons vakantieverhaal te vertellen). 

Make a Mindmap 

https://www.mindmeister.com/app/map/3339898208

 

Difference between formal
and informal

When you write a message to someone you know (for example: your best friend). It is ...

1. formal
2. informal

A complaint letter is an example of ...

1. formal writing
2. informal writing

What is a correct way to start an informal email?

1. Dear Mister/M'am,
2. Dear Sir/Madam,
3. Hi Susan!

In an informal email, it's okay to use contractions (e.g., I'm, I'll, can't...)."

1. correct
2. incorrect

How to start a message or an informel e-mail in English?

Formal

Dear Sir/Madam, 

Dear Ms. Cooper,

Dear Mr. Smith

Informal

Hi Josie,

Hello Adele,

Hi there Delilah,

Dear John,

How to end a message or an informel e-mail in English?

Formal

Yours faithfully,

Yours sincerely,

Faithfully yours,

Sincerely,

Kind regards,

....

Informal

Love,

Bye,

See you soon, 

Kind regards... 

Informal email structure

Personal Touch

 It’s about sharing a part of your life

Casual/informel  Language

 Phrases like “Guess what,” or “You won’t believe this” make the reader feel like they’re in a face-to-face catch-up session

Clear Structure

While you’re going casual, clarity still counts

Easy-Breezy Sign-offs

 While 'Cheers' is friendly, you can also use personal sign-offs like 'Stay sunny!'." or “Catch you later!

Signature

What kind of E-mail is this?

What kind of E-mail is this?

What kind of E-mail is this?

Remember 

Formal

Informal

Regards, 

Clive

See you soon, 

Clive!

Hi Claude!

Lovely to hear from you!

Thank you for your email

I look forward to meeting you.

I hope we can meet up!

Strategies/ Strategieën

• Recycling: Use the information from the assignment instructions
• Using the preparation task: Make use of the mind map that you made earlier
• Looking up words: Look up words, not entire sentences
• Writing goals and audience: Think about what you want to do with your text. Write short sentences and focus on clear structure and simple language. 

Writing assignment: Write an Email

Recipient: Your friend who lives in Amsterdam.

Content:

• Tell Them About Your Spring Break: Write about what you did during your spring break.
• Ask About Their Break: Ask what they did during their spring break.
• Suggest a Meeting: Invite them to meet you during the summer vacation.
• Tips: Use clear sentences. Make your email friendly and easy to understand.

Writing assignment - formal e-mail

Have a look at the writing assignment and write an formal email.

Make sure to use the next structure:

• Subject Line (Subject: English course)
• Formal or informal greeting (Dear Ms Black,)
• Body copy
• Closing phrase (I look forward to hearing from you)
• Signature (Yours sincerely, Name)