Video Summary - English for Emails: Organising your writing

Main ideas / lessons

Well-organized emails improve professionalism and make the message easier for the reader to understand.
State the purpose early: in business emails, start with the reason you’re writing rather than saving it for later.
Use a clear opening sentence pattern to introduce your purpose.
Structure email content with short paragraphs:
- Break text by topic.
- Keep paragraphs shorter than in normal writing.
- This is especially important because many people read emails on phones.
Proofread before sending to prevent grammar and spelling mistakes.
Use tools and human review (e.g., spellchecker and another person’s feedback).

Begin the email with the reason for writing
- This is important in business emails; less critical in informal emails.
- Use a direct opening like: “I am writing to…” + suitable verb
- Example verbs and purposes:
  - “I am writing to ask for more information about your event”
  - “I am writing to inform you of my new postal address”
Use paragraphing for readability
- Start a new paragraph whenever you change topic.
- Begin each paragraph on a new line.
- Keep paragraphs usually two or three sentences long (not a strict rule—if unsure, keep them short).
- Example structure given:
  - If emailing a colleague about two issues and planning a meeting, write about them in three separate paragraphs.
Account for mobile readers
- Avoid long paragraphs, which can be frustrating on small phone screens.
Proofread before sending
- Check for grammar and spelling errors.
- Use built-in email spellchecker features.
- Optionally ask a friend or coworker to review the email.