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We all know that helping each other is good. When you want to help someone, we should offer
our help politely. Sometimes people want to do by temselves without any help, and sometimes
people really need our help to do something. Offering help can be loving and respectful when it is
done in the right way. When we offer help, we should allow the person who has the problem make
their choices. It is often helpful to suggest something you can do. In english, there are many
different ways to offer help or service. In this chapter, we are going to discuss social function,
structure, and language features of interpersonal text about offering help or service and the
responses.

A. Offering Help or Service

Offering help or service is a polite way to react about situation. It’s a good habit if we like
helping people. In some situations, people have a job to serve customers, such as receptionist,
customer service, librarian, shop assistant, and waiter. Now, look at the picture and read the
dialogue!
Sinta : What are you doing?
Salma : I’m making report, but I can’t
Sinta : Can I help you?
Salma : Yes, sure. Thank you for your help. That is
very kind of you.
Sinta : Yes, you are welcome.

1. Social Function of Offering Help or Service
The social function of offering help or service to others is maintain interpersonal
reletionship with others by offering help or service.
2. Language Features of Offering Help or Service
To offer help or service, we usually use the following expressions and the responses.

Offering Help or Service Accepting Help or Refusing Help or
Service Service
• May I ( help you)? • Yes, please. • Please, don’t
• Can I (help you)? • Thank you very bother
• Would you like me to (do something)? much. • Thanks. I can
• Do you want me to (do something)? • Thanks for your manage myself
• What shall I do for you? help. • Thank you, but
• Let me help you? • That’s very kind of there is no need
you. to

Belajar Bahasa Inggris SMA/MA Kelas XII 1