4.7 Writing to request information

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Now, 4.7 writing

Today, you will learn how to write a polite email to request information.

Open SB, p54, ex 1 - Read the letter by Diane.

Is it formal or informal?

What 2 questions could you ask about the prize mentioned in the email?

Do exercises:

In pairs (whisper mode!) or alone

Read the response email (ex 2) & do:

3 & 4 = vocab

5 = writing focus

7 = language focus

answers:

ex3: 1 stuff, 2 telling, 3 want, 4 lots of, 5 thanks, 6 happy

ex4: a6, b2, c5, d1, e4, f3

ex5: 2 I am looking forward to, 3 I am, 4 contacting you, 5 Could you clarify, 6 I hope to hear from you

Choose the more formal alternative.

1. Hello Mr Stein
2. Dear Mr Stein

Choose the more formal alternative.

1. thank you for contacting me...
2. thanks for your email...

Choose the more formal alternative.

1. I want to know about...
2. I would like to enquire about....

Choose the more formal alternative.

1. I look forward to hearing from you.
2. Please write back soon.

Choose the more formal alternative.

1. All the best,
2. Yours sincerely,

Direct = less formal vs 

Indirect = more formal

Create indirect questions in the following slides.

Use the information in the Language Focus

What time do I have to arrive? (Could you tell me …)

Do you offer accommodation on campus? (Could you tell me …)

Do students get a certificate at the end? (I would like to know …)

Formal email requesting info

1. start the email politely: Dear Sir/Madam; Dear + Surname...

2. don't use abbreviations (e.g. asap), slang (e.g. u ipv you), or contractions (e.g. didn't ipv did not)

3. say why you are writing + what you're responding to

4. ask for clarification (bc you're not sure about something) = ask indirect questions

5. mention that you would like a reply = I look forward to verbing...

6. finish the email politely: Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely 

Show what you've learnt:
do exercise 10 here.
Use the writing phrases!