Page 6 - English for Economic Development

A. Writing Email

1.What is email?
An email is a modern form of written communication that is supported by information

technologies. In the business and economic sector, it is helpful to manage communication
between colleagues or clients/customers. Ordering, selling, trading, marketing,
negotiation, and reporting are examples of activities in the business and economic sector
that can be done through email. Therefore, you have to pay attention to the structure,
tone, and style of writing business and economic emails.

2. Kinds of email

Email can be classified into three categories, namely formal, neutral, and informal. In
general, the neutral style is the most common in writing emails in the business and
economic sectors. However, to show your politeness, you may use the formal style in
composing an email. The description of each style is explained in the table below:

Category Description Example
The characteristics of formal email style are fixed
expressions, long words, strict grammar, and punctuation. Click here to
Formal This style is mostly used if the subject matter is serious, for see the example
instance, a complaining letter since in emailing your clients
you have to create a good impression.

The characteristics of a neutral email style are using simple,
clear, and direct language. This style is mostly used in Click here to
Neutral
professional/work emails or when the recipients are your see the example
own colleagues.

The characteristics of informal email style are informal words Click here to
Informal and contain personal news. This style is mostly used for see the example
emailing friends.

Emmerson, Paul (2013). Email English 2nd edition. London: Macmillan
3. The organization of email

There are four organizations in composing an email.
Subject line: Tell the recipient what the email is about. Give a short phrase (5-10 words),

which represents the content or topic of the email.
Salutation : Start the email with a greeting or salutation.

Body : State your purposes in writing the email. You should start writing the email
with a sentence that clearly explains why you are writing the email. Convey
the main information regarding your purposes in writing the email. A good
email should be written using simple, clear, and direct language.

Closing : State the action that the recipient has to do. Close your email by showing
your trustworthiness, for example: sincerely, regards, thank you.

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