Email English
Email English
Email English
for writing
Tips
great e-mail
Technical English 2013
Why do we email?
Persuade Give information Plan and Design Problem Solve Give Technical Instructions Ask People to do Things. Take action. Write 2 need to knows.
1. Did you send any emails before you came here today? How many? 2. How many email do you send and receive every day? 3. Do you ever check your work email at home? 4. Does you know about any guidelines / rules about email? 5. Do you write sentences that are short and to the point? 6. How do you usually begin and end emails in English? 7. Do you ever use smileys? 8. How often do you use a spell checker? 9. Do you include a signature with your email. If yes, what info? 10. DO you ever use exclamation marks after a persons name at the beginning of an email e.g. Hi Kelly! 1. Do you use cc: or bcc: fields and if so, does the recipient know what action, if any, to take. 2. Do you always answer emails within 24 hours? How soon do you answer priority emails?
1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
PASS
P What is the purpose of the message, and does the purpose relate to an objective? State both clearly in the first two sentences. You can include background information later in the message.
A What action is needed, who is responsible, and when must it be done? This information should immediately follow the purpose. If more than one person is receiving the message, indicate their names in bold with the relevant information for each person.
S What supporting documentation does the recipient need? Provide all the information required to take the action you request (provide this information either as an attachment or in the body of the e-mail message).
S Does the subject line effectively summarize the message? A reader should be able to anticipate what your e-mail message says before opening it. Write the subject line last so that it accurately reflects the content of your message.
Hi DI2013, Ive just heard that we need to get the ball rolling and start writing shorter emails, so I thought Id send some guidelines to help you out. First, its a good idea if sentences are kept short. As a matter of fact, you should try to keep email to a maximum of one to two paragraphs. Also, try to Cut out irrelevant information or unnecessary words. As well as this, it would be good to get rid of unclear, long phrases and cliches. Its better to use verbs instead of heavy noun phrases: i.e. "decide" rather than "take a decision", "meet" instead of "hold a meeting. If you can, use white space as it makes it much easier for the reader to skim and if you use bullets and lists its even better. Finally, use double spacing between paragraphs and salutation. Thats it for now, BR Kelly
Dear Ninbos11, The company has decided that we need to write shorter emails. Could you please use the following guidelines in your future emails:
1. Write in short sentences, max 15-20 words and limit email to 1-2 short paragraphs. 2. Cut out irrelevant information or unnecessary words. 3. Delete unclear, long phrases and cliches 4. Use verbs instead of heavy noun phrases: i.e. "decide" rather than "take a decision", "meet" instead of "hold a meeting. 5. Use white space so skimming is easy. 6. Use double spacing between paragraphs and salutation.
Best regards Kelly Raita
Subject should tell reader exactly what is coming. Should make it easy to locate email later Should use nouns Tell if Information, Action, Help
Meeting 10 Dec. Check and Return Minutes Complaint About Request for Delivery of + use name of product Invoice number
Could you please inform of your decision by Friday 3 February at the latest? We would appreciate your reply by Friday 3rd February. This is really important so can you get back to us by/before 2 Feb? Cheers. Please confirm this date by 6pm. Could you find out more about the production delay? I need an answer for the client before our meeting tomorrow at 10 am.
Style: Formal
versus
Informal