How to be polite

Using polite language

Why do we need to learn this?

​To express ourselves politely (in writing and daily use)

• Speak politely

• Request for help/things politely

• Avoid being perceived as being rude or giving orders

• Used with people in higher positions or with strangers​

Do you think you could help me to take this bag of trash out please?

​Sentence 2

I want to ask you to take this bag of trash out.

​Sentence 1

Study these 2 sentences

Poll

Which one do you think you'd feel more comfortable hearing?

• I want to ask you to take this bag of trash out.

• Do you think you could help me to take this bag of trash out please?

Do you think you could help me to take this bag of trash out please?

​Sentence 2

I want to ask you to take this bag of trash out.

​Sentence 1

What's the difference between the 2 sentences?

Open Ended

What are some differences that you can spot between the 2 sentences?

Sentence 1: I want to ask you to take this bag of trash out.

Sentence 2: Do you think you could help me to take this bag of trash out ?

Polite language: saying the same thing in a different way

• ​Use of questions instead of statements

• Use of modals that express uncertainty

• Use of Ps and Qs

• Be indirect and less certain in your request by avoiding imperative verbs (giving instructions) or commanding words like want, ask or tell (demanding for things)

​Framing a request as a question

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Task 1:

​

​Imagine you are sending an email to look for people to help you to organize a Teacher's Day celebration party.

​

​In 1 - 3 sentences, state the purpose for your email.

Open Ended

Frame your request as a question.

Imagine you are sending an email to look for people to help you to organize a Teacher's Day celebration party. ​In 1 - 3 sentences, state the purpose for your email.

Uses of Modal verbs

​Recap

Modal verbs can be used to express:

• ​​Obligation (Must, Have to)

• Ability (can, could)

• ​Advice (Should)

• ​Possibility (​May, might, will, would)

• Intent (shall, should)​

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Using modals in polite language

• Modals that express less certainty or possibility represent greater politeness

• Modals in decreasing certainty/possibility:

  must/have to, will, shall, can, should, could, would, may, might​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Adding modals to your request

Task 2:

You want to offer some food that you have brought to the Principal.​

​

Make use of modals in your answer. ​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Open Ended

Make use of modals in your answer.

Task 2: Offer some food that you have brought to the Principal.

​Adding Ps and Qs

Everything sounds more polite with a little more use of Ps and Qs:

• ​P - Please

• ​Q - Thank you​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Adding Ps and Qs to your request

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Task 3:

Imagine you are at the library and want to use the book checkout machine. There is someone standing in front of it but they are not using it. ​

​

In 1 - 3 sentences, express your intent to use the book checkout machine.​

Open Ended

Add Ps and Qs to your request.

​Task 3:

Imagine you are at the library and want to use the book checkout machine. There is someone standing in front of it but they are not using it. ​In 1 - 3 sentences, express your intent to use the book checkout machine.​

Polite language: recap

• Use of questions instead of statements

• Use of modals that express uncertainty

• Use of Ps and Qs

• Be indirect and less certain in your request by avoiding imperative verbs (giving instructions) or commanding words like want, ask or tell (demanding for things)