Writing a business email

Lekce angličtiny ve virtuálním prostředí Languagelab

Writing lesson: Writing an email

Teacher: Delia Brown (USA)

Students: Mikki Linn, Anastazia Huriccane, Almas Thistle, Marina 1977,

The target of this lesson was to be able to write a business email. First we discussed few questions. Such as what kind of emails people send to each other. What should be in an email when writing to someone for the first time? Here are more examples and our answers.

What kind of situation would require writing such an email?

Request for info

Place an order

To make a complaint

 What do you need to think about when writing in English to someone for the first time?

Greeting

Should be polite

Reference

Urgency

Deadline

Follow up with the phone call

Use right subject line

Later we went through some phrases and matched them to a specific function. For example;

 Could you send me a list of your special offers for the months of …?  It matches to

Function – asking information

Then we were discussing two emails. One was more formal and straight forward. The second one wouldn't give a great impression on the recipient.

We also discussed what we should consider when writing such an email. Here are some points.

1.  Make sure your subject line clearly expresses the aim of your email.

2.  Make it clear exactly why you are writing to the person.

3.  Write short paragraphs.

4.  Identify yourself clearly.

Drafting an email

You are interested in renting space at a trade fair which will be taking place six months from now. Work with your partner and decide on these questions.

a) What company do you work for and which field is it in?

b) What types of products do you sell?

c) How much space would you like to rent?

d) Do you have a price limit?

e) Is there any other company you would like to book space near to?

And here is an example of an email

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to you regarding renting space in the upcoming trade fair which will be taking place in October. We would like to reserve a space at the trade fair. We would need around 10 square meters.

Our company, C-Sponge is an organic sponge maker. We make sponges that are suitable for cleansing not only the body but also the face.

We are going to use racks at the stand for our product. It is simply product to move. The people will be working at the stand 3.

I would like to contact to you to make an agreement.

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

I need information within 3 days.

Yours faithfully