How to Write an Informal Business Email
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We write informal emails to people we have a close/good working relationship
with.
• In-company - close colleagues/coworkers
• Other company - established working relationship
We write informal emails on routine or everyday workplace matters.
✗Hi Max
How’re things?
BTW I’m quitting!
See you (or maybe not).
Sally ✗
Model 1: a Request Subject: marketing meeting concise
subject line
Subject: marketing meeting
Hi Brian informal greeting
open punctuation(no comma)
Subject: marketing meeting
Hi Brian
How was your holiday? small talk
Subject: marketing meeting
Hi Brian
How was your holiday?
Just writing to ask if you’re attending the marketing meeting in the city.
ellipsis: subject (I) and auxiliary verb
(am) are omitted (left out)
purpose statementbeginning with just
(also possible is:Just a short email to + V)
contractionsyou’re
(you are)
Subject: marketing meeting
Hi Brian
How was your holiday?
Just writing to ask if you’re attending the marketing meeting in the city. If you are, could you give me a lift please?
polite request
Subject: marketing meeting
Hi Brian
How was your holiday?
Just writing to ask if you’re attending the marketing meeting in the city. If you are, could you give me a lift please?
Hope to see you later. positive close
ellipsisno subject (I)
Subject: marketing meeting
Hi Brian
How was your holiday?
Just writing to ask if you’re attending the marketing meeting in the city. If you are, could you give me a lift please?
Hope to see you later.
Regards
Lynne informal/neutral sign off
open punctuationno comma(as in teh greeting
open punctuation(no comma)
for greeting and sign-off
Model 2: the Response
Re: marketing meeting
Hi Lynne
Hawaii was absolutely brilliant!
informal greeting
open punctuation(no comma)
small talk
Subject: marketing meeting
Hi Lynne
No problem - I’ll pick you up at 2.30?
promise actionwill + V
‘spoken’ style language
flexible punctuation
use of - dash -
contractionsI’ll
(I will)
Subject: marketing meeting
Hi Lynne
No problem - I’ll pick you up at 2.30?
BTW I’ve attached the report you wanted.
use of acronyms(one capital letter
represents one word)BTW = By the way,...
referring to attachments
I’ve attached...(Please find attached... also
commonly used.)
Subject: marketing meeting
Hi Lynne
No problem - I’ll pick you up at 2.30?
BTW I’ve attached the report you wanted.
See you later.
Brianinformal sign-off
ellipsis:(I’ll) omitted
Structure
Structure
Structure
Structure
Structure
Email Structure
•Greeting
Summary: 10 Features of Informal Business Emails
• Informal greetings and sign-offs
• Open punctuation for greetings and sign-offs, and the dash used to link ideas.
• Small talk
• Purpose statement with - Just writing to + V... Just a short email to...
• Ellipsis (I) Hope to hear from you later.
• Acronyms e.g. BTW = By the way, ...
• Language ‘spoken’
• Contractions e.g. ...if you’re coming... I’ll pick you up...
• Action promised with I’ll + V...
• Reference to attachments with I’ve attached... or Please find attached...
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