ESOL - B1 Writing an Informal email
Plan the Perfect Birthday
Writing goal:
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to write a friendly email giving suggestions, reasons and practical advice.
You will practise:
- making suggestions
- giving reasons
- using linking words
- organising an informal email
- checking and improving your writing
Your situation
Your friend Ayesha is planning her birthday party. She has €150 to spend and wants to invite 12 people.
She is not sure where to have the party
what food to buy, what activities to organise or what to do if the weather is bad,. She sends you a message:
Hi!
I’m planning my birthday party in two weeks, but I don’t know what to do. I have €150 and about 12 people are coming.
Where do you think we should have the party? What food should I buy? Can you suggest some activities?
I’d really like your advice!
Ayesha
Your job is to reply to Ayesha with useful ideas and reasons.
1. Get ready: What makes a good party? Before you write, think about the situation.
Choose one answer for each question.
1. How many people are coming?
A. 6 B. 12 C. 20
Example in this case 12 people are coming.
2. How much money does Ayesha have?
A. €100 B. €150 . €200
3. What does Ayesha want?
A. A new job B. Advice about her birthday party C. Advice about a holiday
1. Why is this important?
Before you start writing, make sure you understand who you are writing to and why.
Writer: You
Reader: Ayesha, your friend
Purpose: To give advice
Type of writing: Informal email
Because Ayesha is your friend, your email can be friendly and relaxed.
2. Build your party vocabulary
Match the words with their meanings.
Word: 1. guests 2. budget 3. decorations 4. activities 5. snacks
Meaning
a. money you can spend, b. people who come to a party c. things you do for fun d. things you use to make a place look special e. small amounts of food
Example - guests = people who come to a party.
Useful words You may also need:
party • guests • budget • cost • afford • food • drinks • decorations • games • music • venue • organise • invite • cheap • expensive
Example: We need to think about the budget because we only have €150.
3. Make suggestions
When we give advice, we can use several useful phrases.
Useful language
I think we should + verb - I think we should have the party at home.
We could + verb - We could make the food ourselves.
Why don't we + verb? - Why don't we have a quiz?
How about + -ing? - How about playing some games?
Notice: After could and should, use the basic form of the verb.
- We could have a party at home.
- We should buy some snacks.
Not: - We could having a party.
After How about, use -ing.
- How about playing some games?
Your turn now
Complete the sentences.
- I think we should __________.
- We could __________.
- Why don't we __________?
- How about __________?
Example answers
- I think we should have the party at home.
- We could make the food ourselves.
- Why don't we play some games?
- How about having a quiz?
There can be many correct answers.
4. Give a reason
Good advice usually includes a reason.
Compare: We could have the party at home.
This is a suggestion.
Now compare: We could have the party at home because it is cheaper.
This is more useful because you explain why.
Useful words: because, so, but, also
Examples
We could have the party at home because it will be cheaper. We can make the food ourselves, so we won't spend too much money. A restaurant would be easier, but it would be expensive. We could have music and games. Also, we could make a quiz.
Your turn
Add a reason to each suggestion.
Example
We could make the food ourselves because it will save money.
Now complete:
We could have the party at home because __________.. We could play some games because __________. We shouldn't book a restaurant because __________. Possible
5. Stay within the budget
Ayesha has €150.
Look at the prices. Item and Cost
Pizza - €45 Sandwiches and snacks - €30 Birthday cake - €20 Drinks - €18 Decorations - €12 Music equipment - €15 Outdoor games - €10 Bowling - €60 Restaurant meal - €120 Room rental - €50
Choose what Ayesha should buy.
Example plan
Pizza – €45 Birthday cake – €20
Drinks – €18 Decorations – €12 Outdoor games – €10. Total: €105
This leaves €45, so there is still some money available.
Your turn
Create your own party plan.
Choose:
Where? At home / rented room / restaurant
Food? Pizza / sandwiches / snacks / cake
Activities? Games / bowling / music
Extra? Decorations / drinks
Example
Place: At home Food: Pizza, snacks and cake Activities: Games and music
Extra: Drinks and decorations
Total: €105
Remember
You do not need to spend all the money. Your plan must cost €150 or less.
6. Solve a problem
Good advice includes a back-up plan.
Imagine Ayesha wants to have the party outside, but the weather forecast says it might rain.
What could she do?
Example
If it rains, we could have the party at home instead.
Other possibilities:
- We could rent a room.
- We could move the games inside.
- We could have the party at another time.
Useful structure - If + present simple, could + verb
If it rains, we could have the party inside.
- This is useful when you talk about a possible future problem.
Your turn
Complete the sentence:
If it rains, we could __________.
7. Read a model email
Now read an example of Ayesha's reply.
Hi Ayesha,
Thanks for your message. I'd be happy to help. I have a few ideas for your party.
I think you should have the party at home because it will be cheaper. We could make the food ourselves and buy some pizzas and snacks. I also think you should get a birthday cake and some drinks.
For the activities, how about having a quiz and some games? They won't cost much and everyone can take part.
If the weather is bad, we could move the party inside or rent a small room.
What do you think? Let me know what you decide.
See you,
Danylo
8. Understand the model
Answer these questions.
1. Where does Danylo suggest having the party?
2. Why?
3. What food does he suggest?
4. What activities does he suggest?
5. What is his back-up plan?
9. Notice the organisation
A good informal email is easier to read when the ideas are organised into paragraphs.
Look at the model again.
Paragraph 1 – Opening
Say hello and respond to the message.
Hi Ayesha,
Thanks for your message. I'd be happy to help.
Paragraph 2 – Main advice
Give suggestions about the party.
I think you should have the party at home because it will be cheaper.
Paragraph 3 – Activities and extra ideas
Add more suggestions.
How about having a quiz and some games?
Paragraph 4 – Problem and solution
Give a back-up plan.
If the weather is bad, we could move the party inside.
Final line – Finish the email
What do you think? Let me know what you decide.
Tip:
You do not need a new paragraph for every sentence. Put ideas about the same topic together.
10. Find the useful language
Find examples of these phrases in the model.
Giving advice - I think you should...
Making a suggestion - We could...
Making another suggestion - How about...?
Giving a reason - because...
Talking about a possible problem - If the weather is bad...
Asking for a response - What do you think?
11. Plan your email
Do not start writing immediately. First, make a quick plan.
Paragraph 1 – Opening
Thank Ayesha for her message.
Example: Thanks for your message. I'd be happy to help.
Paragraph 2 – Place and food
Where should she have the party? What should she buy?
Example: I think you should have the party at home because it will be cheaper. We could buy pizza and make some snacks.
Paragraph 3 – Activities
What can the guests do?
Example: How about having a quiz and playing some games? Everyone can join in.
Paragraph 4 – Back-up plan
What happens if there is a problem?
Example: If it rains, we could move the party inside.
Ending - Ask Ayesha what she thinks.
Example: What do you think? Let me know!
12. Write your email
Now write your reply to Ayesha.
Write 120–150 words.
Your email should:
- start with a friendly greeting
- thank Ayesha for her message
- suggest a place for the party
- suggest food and drinks
- suggest at least two activities
- give reasons for your ideas
- give a plan for bad weather
- finish in a friendly way
Useful language
- I think we should... We could...
- Why don't we...? How about...?
- It would be cheaper to...
- because...
- If it rains, we could...
- What do you think?
- Let me know what you decide.
13. Check your writing
Before you finish, read your email carefully.
Content
☐ Did I answer all of Ayesha's questions?
☐ Did I suggest a place?
☐ Did I suggest food and drinks?
☐ Did I suggest activities?
☐ Did I give reasons?
☐ Did I include a bad-weather plan?
Organisation
☐ Do I have clear paragraphs?
☐ Does my email have a beginning and an ending?
☐ Do my ideas follow a logical order?
Language
☐ Did I use should, could or How about...?
☐ Did I use because to give reasons?
☐ Did I check my verbs?
☐ Did I check spelling and punctuation?
14. Read your partner's email
Imagine you are Ayesha.
Read your partner's email and answer these questions.
1. Did they give you useful advice?
2. Did they explain their ideas?
3. Is the plan realistic?
4. What is one good idea?
5. What could be improved?
Example: They could give another idea for the food.
15. Improve your email
- Now read your email again.
- Choose two things to improve.
16. Final challenge
You now have a complete party plan.
Write the plan in four short lines.
Example
Place: At home
Food: Pizza, snacks, cake and drinks
Activities: Quiz, games and music
Budget: €105
Then answer:
Would you enjoy this party? Why or why not?
B1 writing reminder
A good B1 email does not need complicated English. Try to make your ideas clear and connected rather than trying to use very difficult words.
