Formal emails are written to people in official positions or those you don't know well. They use a polite, impersonal tone with advanced vocabulary and formal linking words. A formal email should include a greeting like "Dear Sir/Madam", an introduction stating the reason for writing, a main body with details in separate paragraphs, a conclusion like "I look forward to hearing from you", and a formal ending like "Yours faithfully". Colloquial language and contractions are not used in formal style.

1. A formal email
EF Pre-intermediate
Successful Writing - Intermediate

2. Formal emails are normally sent to people in an official position or
people you don't know well (e.g. Director of Studies, Personnel
Manager, etc).
They are written in a formal style with a polite, impersonal tone.
A formal email should consist of:
a) a formal greeting (e.g. Dear Sir/Madam);
b) an introduction in which you write your opening remarks and
mention your reason(s) for writing (e.g. I am writing to apply for the
position of ...);
c) a main body in which you write about the main subject(s) of the
letter in detail, starting a new paragraph for each topic;
d) a conclusion in which you write your closing remarks (e.g. I Iook
forward to hearing from you as soon aspossible ... ;
e) a formal ending (Yours faithfully)

3. FORMAL STYLE
Formal style is characterised by the use of:
• advanced vocabulary
• formal linking words/phrases (consequently, however,
therefore, for this reason)
• polite forms without contractions
I would be grateful if …
I would appreciate it if you could...
I would like to apply ...
Colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs, idioms and short
forms are not used in formal style.

4. INFORMAL EMAIL FORMAL EMAIL
GREETING
Dear Paul,
Hi Paul,
Dear Sir/Madam,
INTRODUCTION I’m writing … I am writing
MAIN BODY I’d like to … I would like …
CONCLUSION
Look forward to seeing
you.
Hope to see you soon.
Let’s meet soon.
I look forward to hearing from
you.
ENDING
Best wishes,
Regards,
Hugs,
Yours faithfully,