In this post we will be learning how to write an excellent email. PET writing includes two parts. The first one is compulsory. It simply means that you can’t choose whether to write an email or not. You just do it.
To get the best possible marks you should know a few rules.
Clear structure is very important. A good email is divided into paragraphs and contains all the necessary information.
Let’s have a look at the example.
If you want to use all the notes, you should say why it’s so great that your friend is going to come around and when he should come. After that, you describe your home and suggest some useful things your friend can bring with him. Finally, you should say a short goodbye. Your style is informal and friendly because you are writing to your English-speaking friend.
Let’s talk a bit more about the structure. Use paragraphs, one for each of the notes and write at least one sentence about each of the notes. Don’t forget to count the words. Have you written about 100 words?
I suggest some good expressions to begin and end your email in a friendly way.
Nice openings:
- Hi, Hi Marry, Hi there! Hello!
Closing an email:
- Take care, Love, Bye, See you soon , Best, Lots of love
Notice that there is a comma after each of the expressions. Don’t forget to write your name at the end of an email. You don’t need to put a full stop after your name.
There are some ways to respond to an email in the first paragraph. If you want to be polite, say “thank you”. You might use following sentences:
- Thanks for your email. It’s good to hear from you.
- Thanks a lot for writing.
- It was nice to receive your email.
If your friend wrote you a positive email, you might answer:
- That’s amazing news!
- I’m so happy to hear that!
- Well done!
- How fantastic!
If you respond to bad news, you might write:
- I’m sorry to hear that
- I hope you will get better soon
- Is there anything I can do?
If you want to make a suggestion, use these phrases:
- If I were you, I would
- Make sure you…
- We could do …
- Why don’t we …?
- How about going to…?
- Don’t you think it’s a good idea?
Making a request:
- Would you mind …-ing?
- Can you…?
- Could you please…?
- Do you think you could…?
Agreeing or rejecting your friend’s suggestions:
- Yes, I’d love to
- What a great idea!
- Yes, I feel like doing that.
- Yes, I will do it with pleasure.
- Yes, that sounds like an interesting idea.
- Count me in too.
- I’m not sure about that idea.
- I don’t think it will work
- Well, I’m not very keen on doing something.
- I’d love to but I don’t have time.
Don’t forget that it’s very important to use linking words and phrases.
- And, but, so, because, also, as well
The bad example:
“I love sport healthy lifestyle good weather nice food. I can’t come in July I have to work”.
Give reasons for your answers:
“I can’t come in July because I’ve signed up for English classes and I want to take an exam”.
Use contractions, informal expressions and exclamation marks to sound friendly:
I’m We’ll Well done! Great!
Let’s have a look at the example:
Hi Alex,
I’m so happy you can spend three weeks at my place. I’m really excited to meet you again!
Summer is very nice here. I’m usually away in August, so July would be the perfect time to come and visit.
I live in a very beautiful and cosy flat in a friendly and quiet neighbourhood. There is a big terrace where we usually have barbecues on weekends. You can stay in my brother’s room because he is always away in July. Your room has big windows and a very comfortable bed.
The weather is nice in July. It hardly ever rains, so I would suggest bringing light clothes and your swimsuit. We can do a lot of activities and have fun together! Last summer I joined in playing beach volleyball.
See you in the summer!
Daria
A good email should include adverbs of frequency, such as usually, never, hardly ever, always. To make it sound more interesting, use adjectives: quiet, modern, light and so on. Avoid repeating the same words as much as possible. You can always look up synonyms. Use phrasal verbs: take up, sign up, join in.
Don’t write long sentences joined by commas.
The bad example:
“Summer is very nice here, I’m usually away in August, so July would be the perfect time to come and visit, you can stay in my brother’s room, it’s very comfortable.”
Don’t forget to check spelling and punctuation when you finish your writing.
Have fun!
