Subject: English Language
Grade: 11 ARTS/TVET 1
Topic: Emails
Writing and Structure of Emails
1. Understanding the Purpose of Emails
Emails are used for communication in personal, academic, and professional settings.
Students should understand the difference between formal and informal emails.
Types of Emails:
• Formal Emails: Sent to teachers, employers, or institutions. Professional tone.
• Informal Emails: Sent to friends or family. Casual and conversational.
2. Structure of an Email
● - Subject Line – A short, clear summary of the email’s purpose.
● - Salutation – Greeting based on formality (e.g., 'Dear Mr. Brown' for formal, 'Hey Lisa'
for informal).
● - Introduction – A brief statement of the purpose of the email.
● - Body – The main content, providing details in a clear and organized manner.
● - Closing Statement – A polite ending summarizing the request or message.
● - Sign-off – A closing phrase and name (e.g., 'Sincerely, Mark Lewis' for formal; 'Take
care, Sam' for informal).
3. Example of a Formal Email
Situation: Writing to a teacher to request an extension on an assignment.
Subject: Request for Assignment Extension
Dear Ms. Williams,
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to request an extension for my English assignment
due on March 15. Unfortunately, I have been unwell and unable to complete the work on
time.
Would it be possible to submit the assignment by March 18 instead? I apologize for any
inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Peters
4. Example of an Informal Email
Situation: Writing to a friend about weekend plans.
Subject: Plans for Saturday
Hey Sarah,
Hope you're doing great! Are we still meeting up this Saturday? Let me know what time
works for you. We could grab lunch and catch a movie.
Looking forward to it!
Take care,
Alex
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using informal language in formal emails (e.g., 'Hey' instead of 'Dear').
- Not including a subject line (emails should be easy to understand at a glance).
- Being too vague or too detailed (keep it clear and concise).
- Not proofreading (spelling and grammar mistakes reduce credibility).