Messages, letters and emails

Q: What are the three main types of written communication used in daily life?

The three main types are messages , emails , and letters .

Q: What are the "Big Five" parts of a standard letter or email?

The five parts are the Greeting , Purpose , Body , Closing , and Signature .

Q: How should you organize details within the body of your writing?

Use sequencing connectives such as First, Second, Next, Then, and Finally to keep your ideas in order.

Q: What is the difference between informal and formal tone in writing?

Informal tone uses contractions and friendly phrases for friends/family, while formal tone uses full words and polite formulas for teachers or professionals.

Q: Which verb tenses are most commonly used in letters and emails?

The Present Simple , Present Continuous , and Past Simple are commonly used depending on the timeframe of the message.

Q: What are three common mistakes to avoid when writing an email or letter?

Avoid forgetting the subject line , using the wrong greeting for the recipient, and mixing varieties of English spelling.

English · Lower Secondary · 4 min read · Updated: 7 Sept 2026

Writing Messages, Letters, and Emails

Welcome to the world of written communication! In this chapter, we will learn how to write to others effectively. Whether you are sending a quick text to a friend, an email to a teacher, or a letter to a relative, knowing how to organize your thoughts is a superpower. Since this is part of your Writing section, we will focus on how to put your words on paper (or a screen) clearly and politely.

1. Understanding the Three Types

In your daily life, you will use different ways to write to people depending on how fast you need a reply and who you are talking to.

Messages: These are usually very short and informal. You might leave a note on a desk or send a quick text message about leisure activities or school.
Emails: These are digital letters. They can be informal (to friends) or formal (to teachers or for future careers).
Letters: These are more traditional. We often write letters for special occasions, like thanking someone or inviting them to a family event.

Quick Review: Always think about who is reading your writing before you start!

2. The Structure: The "Big Five" Parts

Most letters and emails follow a standard pattern. If you follow these five steps, your writing will always look organized!

1. The Greeting (Opening)

This is how you say hello.
Informal: Hi Sam, / Hello!
Formal: Dear Mr. Smith, / Dear Teacher,

2. The Purpose (Why are you writing?)

State your reason early so the reader understands you.
Example: "I am writing to invite you to my birthday party." or "I'd like to ask for some help with my homework."

3. The Body (The Details)

This is where you give more information. Use sequencing connectives to keep things in order: First, Second, Next, Then, and Finally.
Example: "First, we will eat lunch. Next, we will play football. Finally, we will have cake."

4. The Closing (Ending)

Say goodbye politely.
Informal: Best wishes, / See you soon, / Love,
Formal: Sincerely, / Regards,

5. The Signature

Simply write your name at the bottom!

Key Takeaway: A good piece of writing has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

3. Formal vs. Informal Tone

The Syllabus reminds us to choose a tone appropriate for the person and the occasion. This is called social etiquette.

Informal (Friends/Family):
- Use short words and contractions (I'm, can't).
- Use friendly phrases: "How are you?" or "Guess what!"
- Topics: Leisure, food, sports, or travel.

Formal (Teachers/Service Providers):
- Use full words (I am, cannot).
- Use polite formulas: "Could you please...?" or "I am afraid I cannot..."
- Topics: Education, health, or buying and selling.

Did you know? In English culture, being polite is very important. Using "Please" and "Could you" makes a big difference when asking for help!

4. Useful Phrases for Your Writing

Don't worry if you aren't sure what to say. Here are some "ready-to-use" phrases from your curriculum:

Making Requests or Offering Help

"Can/Could you help me, please?" (Asking for help)
"Would you like any help?" (Offering help)
"I'd like to..." (Expressing a want)

Expressing Feelings and Opinions

As you move into ม.3, you should add reasons to your feelings using the word because.

"I feel happy because I passed my exam."
"I agree with you because it is good for the environment."
"Congratulations on your success!" (Complimenting)

Apologizing or Refusing

"I'm sorry, but I can't come."
"I'm afraid I don't agree."

5. Grammar Tips for Writing

To make your letters and emails better, remember these small rules:

Tenses: Use Present Simple for facts, Present Continuous for things happening now, and Past Simple for things that already happened (like a trip you took).
Conjunctions: Join your ideas using and, but, or, because, and so.
Example: "I wanted to go to the market, but it was raining."
Punctuation: Remember to use a capital letter at the start of names and sentences. Use a comma after your greeting (Dear Mom,).

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Forgetting the Subject Line: In an email, always write a short title (like "Homework Question") so the person knows what it is about.
2. Wrong Greeting: Don't use "Hi!" for a formal letter to a principal. Use "Dear..." instead.
3. Mixing Varieties: You can use British English or American English spelling (like colour vs color), but try to stay consistent within the same letter.

Summary Checklist

Before you "send" your writing, check these points:
- Is my greeting appropriate for the reader?
- Did I state my purpose clearly?
- Did I use First, Next, and Then for steps or events?
- Did I use because to explain my feelings?
- Is my closing polite?

Note: For more information on organizing your writing into bigger sections, see the chapter "Sentence and paragraph building".

Quick check

Can you answer these now?

Open each question to check the key ideas from this chapter.

What are the three main types of written communication used in daily life?

The three main types are messages, emails, and letters.

What are the "Big Five" parts of a standard letter or email?

The five parts are the Greeting, Purpose, Body, Closing, and Signature.

How should you organize details within the body of your writing?

Use sequencing connectives such as First, Second, Next, Then, and Finally to keep your ideas in order.

What is the difference between informal and formal tone in writing?

Informal tone uses contractions and friendly phrases for friends/family, while formal tone uses full words and polite formulas for teachers or professionals.

How should you explain your feelings or opinions in your writing?

You should add reasons to your feelings by using the conjunction because.

Which verb tenses are most commonly used in letters and emails?

The Present Simple, Present Continuous, and Past Simple are commonly used depending on the timeframe of the message.

What are three common mistakes to avoid when writing an email or letter?

Avoid forgetting the subject line, using the wrong greeting for the recipient, and mixing varieties of English spelling.

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