Unit 15: Writing Effective Emails

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In this unit you will learn useful terms and phrases that you will often need when writing emails, including ways to phrase your concerns as well as polite greetings. This will help you follow proper email etiquette.

Did you know? The following activities can be customized as desired by the teacher or school pedagogue.

Basic activities (computer-graded)

Vocabulary Builder Activity

Students will learn the following key terms and phrases:

Reading Activity: An email exchange between an applicant and HR Manager

Students will be able to correctly answer true/false questions after reading and listening to topical short articles and dialogs featuring topical vocabulary.

Miray sat staring at her laptop, contemplating. She was trying to finally write a speculative application to her dream employer, a well known shipping company. Somehow she felt unsure about everything, from which tone to choose to how to advocate for herself. She knew that she needed to be formal, but she wasn't sure whether to be excessively so or merely to use normal business terminology. Should she… Continue

Multiple Choice Activity

Students will be able to select the best match between unit terms and their definitions.

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Listening Comprehension Activity

Students will be able to listen to short audio clips in English and then spell them correctly.

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Spelling and Recognition

Students will be able to identify and spell a vocabulary term correctly given only the definition.

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Advanced activities (optionally teacher-graded)

Speaking Practice Activity

Students will be able to speak and record 5 example sentences from the unit vocabulary and then submit them for grading by the classroom teacher. If no teacher is available or desired, then the students will be shown good examples of other students' work.

Having a descriptive subject line is crucial for achieving higher open rates.

Pro tip: Finish writing your email before entering the recipient, so as to not accidentally send half-finished messages.

In order to write an effective email you should carefully draft the preview and subject line, so the receiver is enticed to open the email.

Depending on who you're emailing and what tone you're trying to set, you should choose your email sign-off carefully.

When you're writing a formal email, the sign-off "Cheers" is inappropriate, as it doesn't match the overall tone.

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Writing Practice Activity

Students will write a short essay to be graded by the teacher. If no teacher is available or desired, then the student is shown previous examples of other writings by students.

Write an application email for a study abroad scholarship. Describe why you want to study abroad and why you deserve this scholarship. Choose a formal tone. Make sure to write and effective subject line and preview!

Imagine you want to buy party decorations for your co-worker’s birthday party. Write an email to “Balloons & Party Supplies”, describing what you need and asking for any additional information required. At the end, place your order. Make sure to write and effective subject line and preview!

Imagine your friend got into a fight with a co-worker and is trying to address the situation in an email, with HR CC’d. You are helping them craft the email, talking about what happened, apologizing for your part, and talking about how to move forward. Write in a polite and professional manner, but stay firm in defending your friend’s perspective.

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