Writing an effective email involves several key elements to ensure your message is clear, concise, and appropriately structured. Here's a guide on how to write an email:
Subject Line: This is the first thing your recipient will see. Make it concise and descriptive, summarizing the purpose of your email. Avoid vague subjects like "Hi" or "Quick Question."
Salutation: Start your email with a polite greeting. Use the recipient's name if you know it (e.g., "Dear Mr. Smith," "Hello Emily,"), or a general greeting like "Hello," "Hi," or "Good morning/afternoon."
Opening: Begin your email by stating the reason for writing. Whether it's to provide information, ask a question, request assistance, or follow up on a previous conversation, be clear and direct.
Body: This is the main part of your email where you provide details, ask questions, or convey information. Keep your paragraphs short and focused. Use bullet points or numbered lists for clarity if discussing multiple points.
Tone: Maintain a professional and polite tone throughout your email. Avoid using slang, abbreviations, or overly casual language unless appropriate for your relationship with the recipient.
Clarity: Be clear and specific in your communication. Avoid ambiguity or vague language that could lead to misunderstandings.
Courtesy: Remember to express gratitude or acknowledge any assistance received. Phrases like "Thank you for your time," "I appreciate your help," or "Looking forward to hearing from you" can go a long way.
Closing: End your email with a courteous closing remark, such as "Best regards," "Sincerely," "Thank you," followed by your name. If appropriate, include your contact information in your signature.
Proofreading: Before hitting send, review your email for any spelling or grammatical errors. Typos can detract from your professionalism, so take the time to proofread carefully.
Attachments: If you're including attachments, mention them in your email and ensure they are properly attached before sending.
Review and Send: Before sending your email, take a moment to review the entire message to ensure it meets your objectives and accurately conveys your message.
Follow-Up: If you're expecting a response or action from the recipient, consider setting a follow-up reminder if necessary. This ensures you stay on top of your communication.
4. To: the recipient’s electronic address
Subject: short title that tells the reader what your email is about
Salutation: where you say hello to the recipient
Body: you write your message
Closing: a sort of saying goodbye
Signature: electronic signature should include your first and last name
Signature block: optional
6. • -In Subject, you capitalize the first letter of the words like we capitalize a book
title: the first and the last word and the important words such as nouns, verbs,
adjectives and adverbs. We don’t capitalize articles, conjunctions, three letters
or shorter (and, so, but, on, the, off, by, a….)
• -Capitalize the first word and all nouns in salutations, ex. Dear Hiring Manager:/
Dear Professor Smith:
• Formal salutation is ended by : (in job applications, leaders in your company,
other people in higher position…)
• Informal salutation is ended by , (friends, family, people you see daily or often)
• -In closing, you capitalize only the 1st word letter
• Ex. Formal closing: Best regards, Sincerely, Thank you, Best, Yours truly,
Respectfully…
8. • Leave an empty line after salutation
• “ “ “ “ between paragraphs
• “ “ “ “ before your closing
• “ “ “ “ after your closing
• (NB. No empty lines, no comma after signature)
10. • To: MS Holly @English Units com.
• Subject: Sick Today. Homework Question
• Dear M. Holly:
• I hope you are having a nice week! I am writing to let you know that I am absent today
because I am sick. I hope I will be better by tomorrow.
• I have a question about our homework that is due today. Is it possible for me to turn it
tomorrow when I am back? I can also scan the pages and email them today. Please let me
know which is best.
• Best regards:
• George Candybar
• 555-555-5555
• George.school.educ
12. • Exercise:
• You’ve received an e mail from a colleague of yours in which he says
that working as an engineer is not a piece of cake. He has got to
accomplish a lot of daily tasks. At the end of the day, he feels so
exhausted and unable to fulfill all the duties he has to realize. What
do you advise him to do?
• Answer back in an e mail giving advice and some suggestions to help
your colleague solve his problems.