Writing Formal E-mails

In formal electronic communication messages are created according to the norms and standards of business paper writing. The following format is accepted by Internet users:

1. Salutations, which can be neutral – when you address a group of people and you don’t know the exact name of the addressee. Example: Dear colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear editor,

or direct – when you know the name. Example: Dear Peter, Dear Mr Right, Dr Chan,.

It should be noted that in e-mail messages, an exclamation mark is used only if you want your letter to be more emotional. Usually it’s quite enough to write a comma, and then omit a line and start writing the message with a capital letter.

1. The body of a message, consisting of three parts: the aim of the letter; the development of the subject; final remarks.
2. Conclusion, where you give an electronic signature. The electronic signature could be brief (only first and last names), or may include name, position, place of work, e-mail address, postal address, phone number, fax number, etc.
3. Attachments. The e-mail should not be very long and could be easy to read, that’s why large documents should be attached to the letter.

-How are official electronic messages created?

-What kind of format is accepted by Internet users?

-What kinds of salutations can be?

-Is an exclamation mark used in e-mail messages?

-What does the body of a message consist of?

-What does the conclusion include?

-Why should large documents be attached to the letter?