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A1 · BeginnerInternational·Work, Education & Business

Writing a Short, Polite Email

Key Vocabulary

Word / PhraseMeaningExample
emailA written message that you send on a phone or computer.I write an email to my teacher every week.
messageWords that you send to another person.Her email was a short and kind message.
subject lineThe short title at the top that says what your email is about.My subject line was 'Question about the class'.
politeNice and kind in the way you speak and write.A polite email says 'please' and 'thank you'.
sendTo make a message go to another person.I read my email again before I send it.

Article

An email is a short, written message. At work, a polite email is very useful. It is not hard to write one.

First, write a short subject line. This is what your email is about. For example: 'Question about the class'.

Then, start in a kind way. You can write 'Dear Mr Smith,' or 'Hello Anna,'. A kind start is polite.

Next, write your message. Keep it short and easy to read. Say what you need in one or two lines.

Be polite. Say 'please' and 'thank you'. A few kind words make your email nice to read.

At the end, write your name. You can say 'Thank you' and then your name. Now your email is ready.

Read your email one more time before you send it. Look at the name and the words. A short, polite email is very useful.

Discussion Questions

  1. Who do you write emails to in your life?
  2. What kind words do you use when you write to people?
  3. Do you read your email again before you send it? Why?
  4. Is it easy or hard for you to write an email in English?
  5. Do you like email, or do you like to talk on the phone more? Why?

References

  1. British Council LearnEnglish for Work, "Writing emails."
  2. Cambridge English, "Writing: short messages and emails."