3 - formal writing - email 2025

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

3 - Formal email writing

The structure of a good argumentative email (on paper...)

Lesson goals

- I know what the structure of a good argumentative email is.

- I can describe what makes an email strong/weak, good/bad.

Argumentative Email Structure

• Different structures are possible. Usually 3 - 4 paragraphs.
  
•  Your test will be a three paragraph email.

- Salutation (aanhef)

- 1. Introduction

- 2. Main argument 

(Counterargument)

- 3. Conclusion

- Closing

Introduction

Reason for writing

• Thank you for your letter informing me that …

• I am contacting you to enquire about …

• I am contacting you to ask for …

• In response to your email informing me that …

• In response to your email about …

• In response to the article I read about …

Starting the email politely

• Dear Sir, if it’s a man and you don’t know his name

• Dear Madam, if it’s a woman and you don’t know her name

• Dear Mr + surname, if it’s a man and you’ve got his surname

• Dear Mrs + surname, if it’s a married woman and you’ve got her surname

• Dear Ms + surname, if it’s an unmarried woman / you’re not sure

Thesis statement / main argument

• The thesis statement is that one sentence that contains the focus of your email and tells your reader what the email is going to be about.

• Example: There should be an absolute ban against smoking in public because second-hand smoke endangers the health of non-smokers.
• 
  
• Your main argument should be: 
• clear, concrete
• without using first person singular (I).
  
• affirmative or negative sentence sentence. Not a question!!! 

The Body

• Each paragraph is focused on one (counter)argument
• Structure for each paragraph:   
• PEEL (see next slide)

Try to link your paragraphs with content and linking words to create flow.

How to structure your body paragraphs using the PEEL method? 

Point: start your sentence with a clear topic sentence that establishes what your paragraph is about. 

Evidence/ Example: here you should use a piece of evidence that helps to reaffirm your iniitial point and develop the argument. 

Explain: next you need to explain exactly how your evidence supports your point. 

Link: you need to link the point you have just made back to your thesis or the following paragraph using a linking word

This is a tool to help your writing to become more clear. 

Linking words

Conclusion

• Thesis and arguments restated in a different, interesting manner. (ability to reformulate)
• Preserve, modify or reject the thesis statement. 
• Possibly call to some sort of action or response. 
• Thought -provoking ending. 

Do not ...

...simply repeat your introduction or thesis.

 

...introduce any new or significant evidence or example for your main argument. 

Ending your email

Call-to-action

• Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions.

• I look forward to discuss this matter in person.

• I look forward to receiving your reply soon.

• I look forward to receiving your feedback.

• I look forward to meeting you.

• I look forward to your response.

• I await your response with interest.

Closing the email politely

• Yours sincerely, 

[your name]

if you know the name of the person you’re writing to

• Yours faithfully, 

[your name]

if you don’t know the name of the person you’re writing to

Language use

• avoid slang, colloquialisms, clichés
  
• no abbreviations or contractions 
• I'm > I am     -     can't > cannot     -     didn't > did not        etc.
• full sentences
• no bullet points/lists
• skip a line between §s
• 2,3,2nd,4th

Linking word

Rubric