EMAILS: Understanding the Rubric
Your email should be between 120-160 words. What happens if you write only 95 words?
Your response is too short, meaning you won’t develop your ideas enough and will lose marks.
Which of these words is too formal for an informal email?
A) ASAP
B) However
C) Gotta
D) Hey
B) However – It's more suited for a formal response.
True or False?
“In an informal email, you should always start by asking about the recipient's well-being.”
True! It makes the email feel natural and friendly.
What are the three main parts of an informal email?
Opening, Body, Closing
How can you make your informal email sound more natural?
Use friendly questions, contractions, and expressions like “That sounds awesome!” / Use contractions (I’m, you’re), friendly greetings ("Hey! How have you been?"), and make it feel like a real conversation.
Your email must match the task and the audience. What mistake would cause you to lose points in this area?
Using the wrong tone (e.g., writing too formally when it should be informal).
Make this phrase more informal:
“I am delighted to receive your invitation.”
“I’m so happy you invited me!”
Which of these is the best opening line for an informal email to a friend?
A) “I hope this email finds you well.”
B) “Hey, how have you been?”
C) “Dear Mr. Johnson, I am writing to you regarding…”
D) “I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude.”
B) "Hey, how have you been?"
Where should you introduce the purpose of your email?
In the first paragraph, after a friendly greeting.
What is one common mistake students make in their informal email that makes it sound unnatural?
Forgetting to ask about the other person’s life (e.g., “How have you been?”) – a real email doesn’t just jump into the main topic!
If your email is missing one of the three bullet points in the task, how will it affect your score?
You will lose points because your response is incomplete. Always cover all bullet points!
Which of these phrases is NOT appropriate for an informal email?
A) “How’s everything going?”
B) “I regret to inform you…”
C) “Catch you later!”
D) “Hope you’re doing well.”
B) "I regret to inform you..." – This sounds too formal.
Why should you avoid starting an informal email with “I am writing to you because…”?
It sounds too formal and robotic – real emails don’t start this way.
If the email prompt asks you to invite a friend to an event, what should the last paragraph include?
A friendly call to action, like: "Let me know if you can make it!"
Why is this sentence too formal for an informal email? “I was extremely pleased to receive your invitation.”
It sounds unnatural. A better phrase is: "I was so happy to get your invite!"
Your email should be well-organized and easy to follow. What simple habit can help with this?
Using paragraphs (one for each main idea) so the reader can easily follow your email.
Rewrite this formal sentence in informal language:
"Hello, I am quite busy this week, but I will contact you later."
"Hey, I’m super busy this week, but I’ll hit you up later!"
Fix the mistake in this informal email opening:
"Hi John, I write to tell you about my vacation last week!"
"Hi John, I’m writing to tell you about my vacation last week!" – The verb form should be present continuous
What is wrong with this email structure?
(1) Greeting, (2) Closing, (3) Details, (4) Purpose
The closing is in the wrong place – it should come at the end.
Which is the best way to end an informal email?
A) "Yours faithfully"
B) "Looking forward to your reply!"
C) "Sincerely, John"
D) "To whom it may concern"
B) "Looking forward to your reply!"
What makes an informal email sound natural and engaging instead of robotic?
Using contractions (I’m, you’re), friendly greetings ("Hey! How have you been?"), and making it feel like a real conversation.
Rewrite this formal phrase in informal language: "Thank you for your prompt response."
"Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!"
Why is this a bad way to close an informal email?
"That is all for now. Goodbye."
It sounds abrupt and unnatural. A better ending is: "Write back soon! Can't wait to hear from you."
Why is it a bad idea to write an informal email as one long paragraph?
It makes the email harder to read. Use short paragraphs for clarity.
What makes this email closing weak? How can you improve it? "See you later."
It’s too short and lacks warmth. A better closing is: "See you soon! Can’t wait to catch up."