5) Samples

Sample 1: More formal e-mail:

Hello,

I read on your web site that you offer Music CD copying for large quantities of CDs. I'd like to inquire about the procedures involved in these services. Are the files transferred online, or are the titles sent by CD to you by standard mail? How long does it usually take to produce approximately 500 copies? Are there any discounts on such a large quantity?

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I look forward to your response.

Jack Finley Sales Manager, Young Talent Inc. (709) 567 - 3498

Sample 2: Informal e-mail

At 16.22 01/07/2002 +0000, you wrote:

> I hear you're working on the Smith account. If you need any information don't hesitate to get in > contact with me.

Hi Tom,

Listen, we've been working on the Smith account and I was wondering if you could give me a hand? I need some inside information on recent developments over there. Do you think you could pass on any information you might have?

Thanks

Peter

Peter Thompsen Account Manager, Tri-State Accounting (698) 345 - 7843

6) Useful language Acronyms

• ASAP: as soon as possible

• FYI: for your information

• BTW: By the way

• CU: See you (good-bye)

• FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

• HTH: Hope this helps

• TIA: Thanks in Advance

Smileys. While you are unable to accompany your words with hand or facial gestures, there are several ways to describe body language. A facial expression or emotion can be represented with what is called a "smiley" or "emoticon": a textual drawing of a facial expression.

Smileys	Meanings
:-)	User is smiling.
:-D	User is laughing.
: -(	User is sad
:-O	User made a mistake.
;->	User is winking.
: -~)	User has a cold.
=:-o	User is very surprised
:-/	User does not believe you.

7) Evaluation criteria

Format, style, vocabulary range, grammar accuracy, task response

8) References

1. Beare,K. How to write a business e-mail. Retrieved October 7, 2009 from http://esl.about.com/od/businessenglishwriting/a/bizdocs_3.htm

2. Maur, S. 9 Tips To Help You Write More Powerful Emails. Retrieved October 9, 2009 from http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzan_St_Maur

3. How do you Write E-mail Messages? Retrieved October 7, 2009, from http://www.eslnetworld.com/email2.html

9) Exercises

Exercise 1. Match the smileys and their meanings:

#	Smileys		Meanings
1	:-)	A	User is sad
2	:-D	B	. User is winking.
3	: -(	D	User is smiling.
4	:-O	E	User has a cold.
5	;->	F	User is laughing
6	: -~)	G	User made a mistake.
7	=:-o	I	User does not believe you.
8	:-/	J	User is very surprised

Exercise 2. Mark the statements as True or False:

1. E-mail is more conversational, less formal than traditional letters.

2. It is not always necessary to fill in the subject line in an e-mail message.

3. E-mails are formatted freely.

4. Don’t use abbreviations in an-e-mail message.

5. It is not necessary to include your email address in an e-mail message.

6. We generally put a comma after a salutation

Exercise 3. Decode the acronyms:

1) ASAP; 2) BTW 3) CU 4) FAQs 5) HTH 6)TIA 7) FYI

Exercise 4. Given in the left column are both formal and informal phrases. Transfer the informal ones into the right column:

FORMAL	INFORMAL
Good-bye; bye; Dear XXX! Hi! You’re; extremely busy at work; you bet; up to one’s ears at work; accept my apologies; sorry; Provide assistance to sb; give sb a hand; best regards; love from;

Exercise 5. Write an e-mail to your mother sharing your latest news

Exercise 6. Write an e-mail to your teacher asking for the permission to miss the next class