Writing informal emails

When you're writing an informal e-mail, use contractions like it’s and can’t.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Don't omit the apostrophe (') in your writing!

When you're writing an informal e-mail, use complete sentences!

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False! You can use incomplete sentences since you're writing to someone close to you.

What do we use informal discourse markers in our informal emails for?

• To introduce a less important subject

• To return to a subject

• To link ideas and help the reader understand the organization of our ideas

• To complete the email

Choose the correct informal discourse marker to complete the following sentence:

There's a new department store near my apartment. ... shopping, have you heard about that new online store?

• Anyway

• So

• Speaking of...

• By the way

Answer explanation

Speaking of... it's used to return to the main subject of the email.

Choose the correct informal discourse marker to complete the following sentence:

Important news! Jamie just moved to Boston because he got a new job with the Boston Globe!

..., he's started playing soccer.

• Anyway

• So

• Speaking of...

• By the way

Answer explanation

The fact that he'd started playing soccer isn't relevant, that's why "By the way" is the right choice.

Choose the correct informal discourse marker to complete the following sentence:

I'm not really enjoying my job at the moment... ___, how did your exam go?

• Anyway

• So

• Speaking of...

• By the way

Answer explanation

Both, anyway and so, can be used to change the subject in the email.

Choose the correct informal discourse marker to complete the following sentence:

I'm hoping to get a job soon, so I can share an apartment with some friends. ... housing, have you moved yet?

• Anyway

• So

• Speaking of...

• By the way

Answer explanation

Once again, "speaking of..." is used to return to a subject that the person was talking about previously.