So, how can you ensure that your email writing skills are up to standard?

Here are
some general tips I’d like to share with you:

1. Subject Line

Always have a subject line that briefly summarizes and clearly the contents of the message
(example: Re: Summary of Our Meeting with ABC Suppliers).

2. Simplified Sentences

Don’t make your email look overcrowded by trying to use too many technical terms or long
words. It is good to use complex and compound-complex sentences, but ensure that they are
easy to understand. The most common mistake that many of our students make is to translate
directly from their own language. This can often lead to confusing sentences. A popular rule that
you could adapt is to use the KISS Test – Keep It Short and Simple.

3. Think of who your reader is going to be

Is it a colleague, a client or your boss? Should the email be informal or formal? Most business
emails these days have a neutral tone. Note the difference between Informal and Formal:

Informal – Thanks for emailing me on 15th February

Formal – Thank you for your email dated 15th February

Informal – Sorry, I can’t make it.

Formal – I am afraid I will not be able to attend

Informal – Can you…?

Formal – I was wondering if you could….?

Some emails to colleagues can be informal if you have a long working relationship and know
them well. This is the style that is closest to speech, so there are often everyday words and
conversational expressions that can be used. For instance, ‘Don’t forget’, ‘Catch you
later’, ‘Cheers’. So, avoid using them! The reader may also accept or overlook minor
grammatical errors in informal emails. However, if the email is going to a client or senior
colleague, bad grammar and an over-friendly writing style will most probably not be acceptable.

4. Be very careful of capital letters, punctuation, spelling and basic grammar

While these can be tolerated in informal emails, they are very important in business emails as
they are an important part of the image you create. Give yourself time to edit what you’ve written
before you push that Send button. In today’s busy world, it’s very easy to send out many emails
without checking them thoroughly: as an English learner, you should make a conscious effort to
double check before sending. (Grammarly is an awesome spellcheck option)

5. Think about how direct or indirect you want to be

In some cultures, it is common practice to be very direct in email correspondence. However, this
can cause a problem if you’re writing to someone in another country and in a language that is
not your mother tongue. They might find your directness rude and possibly offensive. Consider
these:

Direct – I need this in half an hour.

Indirect and polite – Would it be possible to have this in half an hour?

Direct – There will be a delay

Indirect – I’m afraid there may be a slight delay.

Direct – It’s a bad idea

Indirect – To be honest, I’m not sure if that would be a good idea.

By adjusting your tone, you are more likely to get a positive response from your reader.

6. Be positive!
Look at these words: helpful, good question, agreed, together, useful, I will do my best, mutual,
opportunity.

Now look at these: busy, crisis, failure, forget it, I can’t, it’s impossible, waste, hard.

The words you use show your attitude to life, so choose your words wisely. Try and get some
feedback on the emails that you write. This could be from your English Teacher or someone you
know whose English is at a good level.

Study the English in any emails you receive. If it is a well-written email, look carefully at some of
the language used. Start your own phrase book by collecting a bank of phrases from what you
hear or read all around you; they may be useful in the future.