Writing Emails

Writing Emails

1. Work individually. Imagine that you are the person your partner is going to meet. Write a reply to your partner’s e-mail. The maximum length for the e-mail is 100 words.

Visitor

You are the visitor (who created the situation).

You arrived at your destination a few hours ago,

you have checked in to your hotel, and now you

have arrived at your host’s office by taxi. The

receptionist has shown you to the office. Knock

on the door.

Host

You are the host, ready to receive the visitor.

Welcome your visitor, offer them a drink and

make some small talk (the journey? the hotel?

the news in their country? the state of the

market?). Have a short business discussion. End

in a friendly way and offer to take your visitor

to dinner this evening

2. Exchange and read the e-mails. When you are ready, act out two roleplays using the situations that you and your partner created. In the first roleplay, student A is the visitor and student B is the host. Then swap roles for the second roleplay.

Practical writing

Partner edits!

Let's chat!

Swap emails no. 1 with a partner. You should write some corrections for them, and they will do the same for you. Make three suggestions for improving the email.

Write two e-mails, on separate sheets of paper, using the situation you created in 1. If possible, use real people’s names and a realistic content. The maximum length for each e-mail is half a page. WRITE CLEARLY!

e-mail 1: Write to the person you are going to meet. What do you need to tell them? Perhaps you

need to let them know what you want to discuss. Do you want them to arrange anything for you?

e-mail 2: Write an e-mail to all your colleagues. Tell them about your plans and ask them if they

want you to take / do / find out / bring back anything

- Do you prefer writing or typing?

- Are you a good writer in your own language?

- Novelist James Michener said: "I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter." Is this the same as you?

- Do you think creative writing is an important skill to learn and practice?

- Do you think writing will disappear in the future, once computers can recognize and write down everything you say?

- E. L. Doctorow said: "Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go." Do you agree?

- What is worse, junk mail in your inbox or junk mail delivered to your house?

- What are common subjects for the junk mail you receive?

- What would you do or say to someone who kept sending you spam mail?

Hot Topic!

Do you always get enough sleep?

Do you ever think sleep wastes valuable time spent doing useful things?

Why does your body need sleep?

Have you ever had any problems sleeping?

Can you sleep anywhere?

Are you a heavy or light sleeper?

What are you like if you don’t get enough sleep?

Do you move about a lot in your sleep?

payments, complaints, orders, clarifications, attachments, suggestions, apologising, meetings, thanks, requests, closing, openings, congratulations.

Let's do some writing!

-We would like to offer our sincere apologies for our mistake

-Please find the document attached

- There are several points which we don'tquite understand; we feel there is a misunderstanding between us

-We look forward to recieving your reply; Regards, Joe Blunt

- We were very surprised and disappointed by this

- We would like to congratulate you on your recent good news

-Would Tuesday 26 October be convenient for you?

- We are writing to enquire about.. ; I am writing on behalf of....

- Re order n. ISHF557; goods shipped today

- We have not yet received payment for order no. UI8999. Could you resolve this matter as soon as possible?

- We would just like to express our gratitude for all you help in this matter.

You are planning to go on a trip to Washington, DC, to work at the Czech embassy for two weeks. Write the details below. *Make up as much information as you need to.

Where are you going?

How long are you going to stay?

Why are you going?

What is your itinerary (the places you will visit)?

Who will you meet?

How well do you know them? Have you written / spoken to / met them before?

Worksheet

Work with a partner to put the phrases into the right categories.