What Is a Formal Email?

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A formal email is an email that is written using a formal

tone of voice. It usually avoids slang or chatty language.

A formal email can be used to:

• make a complaint; • write to a politician

about an important issue;
• write to a business to
request something; • write to someone that you don’t know.

Can you think of another scenario where

you might choose to write a formal email?
 x
What Is a Formal Email? Search

E-Mail
Formal or Informal?
A formal
Read the email isIsan
email below. email
it a thatorisinformal
formal written using
email?a formal
When tone of voice.
you have It usually
decided, avoids
click the slang
correct or chatty language.
choice.
A formal email can be used to:
Play
• make a complaint; • write to a politician
about an important issue.
• write to a business to
request something; • write to someone that you don’t know;

Can you think of another scenario where

you might choose to write a formal email?
 x

E-Mail
Formal or Informal?
Read
To: thedandandaaaan@danmail.com
email below. Is it a formal or informal email? x
When you have decided, click the correct choice.
Subject: Tonight
Correct! Well
Incorrect. done!
Try again!
E-Mail
Play
Dan
next
retry
I ain’t gonna make it tonight. Still got to have dinner. Soz.
Catch up soon, yeah?
Byron

formal informal
 x

E-Mail
Formal or Informal?

To: dandandaaaan@danmail.com
businesstowers@busymail.com x
Subject: Tonight School’s Fundraiser
Sylvester
Correct! Well
Incorrect. done!
Try again!
E-Mail
E-Mail
Dear Sir/Madam,
IDan
am writing on behalf of Sylvester School’s annual fundraiser.
next
In the past, your company has beenretry
very generous with donations for our raffle. Is there
I ain’t gonna
anything make
that you it tonight.
would be able toStill gottotoushave
donate dinner.
this year? Soz.
I look forward to hearing from
you soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.
Catch up soon, yeah?
Thank
Byronyou,
Hasani C (Class 5)

formal informal
 x

E-Mail
Formal or Informal?

To: complaints@thisbusiness.co.uk
businesstowers@busymail.com x
Subject: Frosty Freeze
Sylvester SnowFundraiser
School’s Machine Malfunction
Correct! Well
Incorrect. done!
Try again!
E-Mail
To whom
Dear it may E-Mail
Sir/Madam, concern,
II am writing with regard of
am writing on behalf to my recent School’s
Sylvester purchase annual
of a Frosty Freeze Snow Machine from your London
fundraiser.
store.
In theWhen
past,I your
tried company
out the Frosty
has Freeze for the
next
beenretry
very first time,
generous it snowed
with in my
donations forhouse for ten Is
our raffle. days straight
there
before finally running out of power.
anything that you would be able to donate to us this year? I look forward to hearing from
you soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.
I can’t believe that in this day and age you would design a product with no off switch. I have attached
photographs of the damage that the snow caused and expect to be well compensated.
Thank you,
Regards,
Hasani Penguinito
Pascual C (Class 5)

formal informal
 x

E-Mail
Formal or Informal?

To: complaints@thisbusiness.co.uk
murphy@dogmail.com x
Subject: Frosty
Do dogsFreeze
read Snow Machine Malfunction
emails?
Correct! Well
Incorrect. done!
Try again!
E-Mail
To whom it may E-Mail
concern,
IMurphy,
am writing with regard to my recent purchase of a Frosty Freeze Snow Machine from your London
store. When I tried out the Frosty Freezenext
for the first time, it snowed in my house for ten days straight
Do dogs
before readrunning
finally emails?outI dunno finish
retry
really.
of power.
If they do, I need to tell you to behave. The thing is, you’re my dog so every time you chew a
Iglove,
can’t eat
believe that in this
something youday and age you
shouldn’t, makewould
a messdesign a product
in the with
kitchen, no off
steal theswitch. I have
post, dig attached
a hole or
photographs
anything else of really,
the damage
I getthat the snow
in trouble forcaused andnot
it!!! It’s expect to be well compensated.
fair!!
Regards,
So, you know, if dogs do read emails, just behave. Please.
Pascual Penguinito

formal informal
 x
Features of a Formal Email Search
Formal or Informal?
A E-Mail
formal email should have the following features:

murphy@dogmail.com
To:recipient’s
• the • a greeting (e.g. Dear Sir/Madam);
email
Subject: address; Do dogs read emails?
• an introduction;
• aMurphy,
clear subject;
• more detailed information divided
Do dogs read emails? I dunno really.
intois, paragraphs;
If they do, I need to tell you to behave. The thing you’re my dog so every time you chew a
glove, eat something you shouldn’t, make a mess in the kitchen, steal the post, dig a hole or
anything else really, I get in trouble for it!!! It’s not fair!!
So, you know, if dogs do read emails, just•behave.a conclusion
Please. that says what should
happen next;

• a sign off (e.g. Kind regards).

 x
Features of a Formal Email Search
Email
Formal or Example
Informal?
A E-Mail
formal email should have the following features:
Take a look at the formal email
murphy@dogmail.com
To:recipient’s • afrom Wendell
greeting (e.g.Weasel to the
Dear Sir/Madam);
• the
three little pigs on the next slide.
email
Subject: address; Do dogs read emails?
• an introduction;
• How
aMurphy,many
clear features of a formal email can you spot?
subject;
• more detailed information divided
Do dogs read emails? I dunno really.
intois, paragraphs;
If they do, I need to tell you to behave. The thing you’re my dog so every time you chew a
Play
glove, eat something you shouldn’t, make a mess in the kitchen, steal the post, dig a hole or
anything else really, I get in trouble for it!!! It’s not fair!!
So, you know, if dogs do read emails, just•behave.a conclusion
Please. that says what should
happen next;

• a sign off (e.g. Kind regards).

 x x
Look out for…

E-Mail
E-Mail
Formal
Formal Email
Email Example
Example the recipient’s
email address;
Take
To: a look at the formal email from Wendell Weasel to the
threelittlepigs@talemail.com a clear subject;
three little pigs on the next slide.
Subject: Update for Case No. 3003
a greeting;
How many features of a formal email can you spot?
Dear Pig 1, Pig 2 and Pig 3, an introduction;

I am writing to update you with regards to case no. 3003: detailed

Play
The Three Little Pigs vs The Big Bad Wolf. As you will be aware information
from our last conversation, there were a number of issues that divided into
needed to be addressed before a formal complaint could be made. paragraphs;

a conclusion;
Next page
1 a sign off.
 x x
Look out for…

E-Mail
E-Mail
Formal
Formal Email
Email Example
Example the recipient’s
email address;
Take
To: a look at the formal email from Wendell Weasel to the
threelittlepigs@talemail.com a clear subject;
three little pigs on the next slide.
Subject: Update for Case No. 3003
a greeting;
How many features of a formal email can you spot?
Firstly, there was the issue of proof. It was initially my an introduction;
understanding that, although two of your homes were
completely destroyed, there were no eyewitnesses aside from detailed
Play
yourselves. Following Pig 2’s suggestion, I have since been in information
touch with Montgomery Mole who, according to you, was divided into
digging in a nearby field at the time. paragraphs;

a conclusion;
Previous page Next page
2 a sign off.
 x x
Look out for…

E-Mail
E-Mail
Formal
Formal Email
Email Example
Example the recipient’s
email address;
Take
To: a look at the formal email from Wendell Weasel to the
threelittlepigs@talemail.com a clear subject;
three little pigs on the next slide.
Subject: Update for Case No. 3003
a greeting;
How many features of a formal email can you spot?
Mr Mole has agreed to provide a witness statement with
regards to the ‘huffing and puffing’ that he heard that day. an introduction;

detailed
Play
Secondly, there was the issue of The Big Bad Wolf’s
whereabouts. You will be pleased to know that we have been information
recently informed that he is currently residing in the woods divided into
near Grandma’s house. paragraphs;

a conclusion;
Previous page Next page
3 a sign off.
 x x
Look out for…

E-Mail
E-Mail
Formal
Formal Email
Email Example
Example the recipient’s
email address;
Take
To: a look at the formal email from Wendell Weasel to the
threelittlepigs@talemail.com a clear subject;
three little pigs on the next slide.
Subject: Update for Case No. 3003
a greeting;
How many features of a formal email can you spot?
A member of our firm is taking a trip out there this evening;
I will keep you updated with their findings. an introduction;

detailed
Play As you are
Finally, there was the slight issue of payment.
aware, our services require a fee. Although your offer to build information
me a new home was very kind, I would like to point out that divided into
this is not a good idea given your current predicament. paragraphs;

a conclusion;
Previous page Next page
4 a sign off.
 x x
Look out for…

E-Mail
E-Mail
Formal
Formal Email
Email Example
Example the recipient’s
email address;
Take
To: a look at the formal email from Wendell Weasel to the
threelittlepigs@talemail.com a clear subject;
three little pigs on the next slide.
Subject: Update for Case No. 3003
a greeting;
How many features of a formal email can you spot?
We accept cash or bank transfer and will need to receive the
full amount before we can continue any further. Our offices are an introduction;
open every weekday from 9 until 5. I look forward to hearing
from you soon so that we can continuePlay
in the fight for justice detailed
against The Big Bad Wolf. information
Kind Regards, divided into
Wendell Weasel paragraphs;

a conclusion;
Previous page Finish
5 a sign off.
 The Recipient’s x
How Is an Email Different From a Letter? Search
Email Address
The Subject
E-Mail
Example Email
WhenAlthough
writing an there are some similarities between writing a
This is the place that
email, you’re
formalasked to
letter
you want the email to and writing
To: a formal email, there are a few
example@examplemail.com
include a subject. This
be sent to
gives thedifferences
recipient an that are important
when you’ve to remember.
finished writing it. Subject: Invite to Graham’s Party
idea of what your
Most of the time, this
email is going to be
can be found at the
about before they’ve
very top of the page.
opened it.

Remember
Make sure to fillyour
that this
in correctly.
subject Justclear
is short, like
an and
address onpoint.
to the a letter,
itSomething
won’t reach the
like…
right person if you
write it incorrectly!
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The Subject
E-Mail
How to Start and End
Example
a Formal
Email
E-Mail
Email
When writing an
When writing
email, you’re askedatoformal email, it’s important to start and finish
To: example@examplemail.com
include a subject. This
the email politely and clearly. Here are some ways that you can
gives the recipient an Subject: Invite to Graham’s Party
start and end your formal email.
idea of what your
email is going to be
about before they’ve
Howopened
to Start
it. a Formal Email
How to End a Formal Email
Dear…, Best wishes,
Dear
Make sure that Sir/Madam,
your Kind regards,
Goodclear
subject is short, morning, Many thanks,
and to Good
the point.
afternoon, Regards,
Something like…
Greetings, Sincerely,
To Recap
x
A formal email is an email that is written using a formal tone of
voice. It usually avoids slang or chatty language.

• the recipient’s email address; • a clear subject;

• a greeting (e.g. Dear Sir/Madam); • an introduction;

• more detailed information divided into paragraphs;

• a conclusion that says what should happen next;

• a sign off (e.g. Kind regards).