CRFPE of SAINT LOUIS_March2023_A.M.
Sall
EMAIL WRITING LESSON PLAN
Title: Formal vs. Informal Email Writing
Level:
Date/Time: 14/03/2023 — 10-12 am
Objectives: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to…
- Identify the different parts of an email
- Identify differences in the language used in formal vs. informal emails
Language focus: Expressing politeness
PROCEDURAL OUTLINE
Preliminaries
Greetings, attendance sheet, and preview of class agenda.
Correction of homework
Students team up in pairs and compare their works.
The different parts of an email
1. Subject Line
2. Opening/Greeting
3. The body
- A compliment
- Purpose
- Call to action
4. Closing
1. The Subject Line
The Do’s The Don’ts
- be short and concise -should not be left blank
-identify the purpose of message -usually not a complete sentence
CRFPE of SAINT LOUIS_March2023_A.M.Sall
Phrases commonly used for subject lines: A Question About…., An Inquiry about…, A letter
of complaint, An Interview Request, An Internship Request, Information Request, job
application, An Expression of Gratitude, Greetings, Invitation to birthday party, etc.
Which of these would you use in an informal email?
Practice: Find a suitable subject line for the emails in each situation below.
1. An email to your teacher about a homework question.
______________________________________________________________________________
2. An email to a university about their admission criteria.
______________________________________________________________________________
3. An email to convene your friends to your birthday celebration.
______________________________________________________________________________
4. An email to Jumia about a problem with an online order.
______________________________________________________________________________
5. An email to thank a person who supported you in a difficult time.
______________________________________________________________________________
2. E-mail Opening/Greeting
Arrange the following greetings into two groups: informal vs. formal.
¨Dear Julie, ¨Hi Amine, ¨Hello! ¨Hiya Binta, ¨ Dear Ms. Dieng, ¨Dear Mr. Camara,
¨Dear sir/Madam: ¨ My dear Kate, ¨Jennifer,
Informal _____________________________________________Formal
CRFPE of SAINT LOUIS_March2023_A.M.Sall
Compliments
If you are beginning the e-mail exchange:
¨ Good morning, I hope you are well. ¨ I hope this email finds you in good shape. ¨ Hope you
are doing good. ¨ Hello, I hope you are well.
NB: Some people omit using “I” at the beginning of sentences. It is a style often used when you
are very familiar with the person you are writing to.
If you are replying to an email
¨ Thank you for your email. ¨ Thanks for hanging out with us last Saturday. ¨ Thanks so much
for getting in touch. ¨ Nice to hear from you. ¨ Thank you for accepting my application to your
summer program.
The core & the Closing of emails
The Purpose (Reason for emailing)
Decide which of the following expressions state the purpose in a formal or informal manner.
¨ I would like to express my opinion on the issue. ¨ Would it be possible to meet you at lunch
time? ¨ Could you tell me about your customers’ feedback on our products? ¨ I’m looking for
a job that pays well. ¨ I need to have a chat with you ASAP. ¨ What time is my appointment
for the job interview?
Email closing
Which of the sentences below would you use in a formal email?
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
I can’t wait to hear from you!
Please, write back soon!
Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.
Should you need further information, please contact this number!
Closing formulas
Check [ü] the formulas that sound “formal”
¨Best, ¨All the best, ¨Best regards, ¨Warm regards, ¨Cheers, ¨Yours friendly, ¨Sincerely,
¨ Yours faithfully, ¨ Love,
CRFPE of SAINT LOUIS_March2023_A.M.Sall
Homework: Work in group of three.
Read the following email and say what is wrong with it. Work with your group members, and see
how to fix the problem(s).
Context: Modou is writing an email to the director of the Office du Bac to check if he can sit for
the baccalaureat exam online.
From: modou2111@gmail.com
To: officedubac@ucad.sn
Subject: Greetings
Dear Director,
Hope you are well. I want you to tell me if it is possible to sit for the bac exam online. I would
like to do the exam in July, but I won’t be here in Senegal at that moment. I will pay a visit to my
cousins who live in Mali.
Also, I won’t attend any PE session this year. So, do you accept that I opt out for PE at the bac
exam.
Thank you very much. I’m waiting for your reply.
Best wishes,
Modou
