An email request for help

Read an email asking for help from another department to practise and improve your reading skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and do the exercises.

Preparation

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Reading text

To:

James Forrester

Date:

6 November

Subject:

Possible help with product design

Dear James,

As you know, we have been working on the new perfume that we are launching in April and we are unsure about some of the packaging details. We have seen some of your creative work in the sales department and we think you have a very good eye for detail.

Do you have some time before close of business this Friday to sit down with us and talk through some of our designs? We would truly appreciate your advice on this. It shouldn't take longer than two hours of your time and we would be happy to clear it with Patricia, your department head, if necessary.

Best regards,

Sarah Ford

Head of Department
Product Design

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Discussion

What should you include in an email asking for help?

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Language level

B1 - Intermediate

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Firstly why we need the persons help. The language of the email should be a requesting for help and not an obligation. If seeking time from someone, it should be flexible time and not on a fixed date and time.

it's not an obligation from the other part so you have to be kindness and show sympathy with the other, also you have to be clear with your message and show how important is his help for the project.

First, the reason why you are asking for help. Second, when and where exactly you need help. Third, permission from the third party involved.

I will write the email in a polite manner. The email will include the purpose of help, the details about the project, arranged time. And also I won't forget to mention how important is his help for us.

Hello. There are a few things you need to include in your email when asking for help. It should include your information, date, greeting, purpose and details. It's important to send your email in a short and clear way so that the other person can understand it well. Also, don't forget to be　courteous.　 It's important to think about your writing in terms of the other person's feelings as you convey your requirements through text alone.

When I send an email for help, I tell the person about the purpose of the project and tell them that "I'd like to ask you for your help". If they agrees with this project, I will explain the details of this project, the day of the meeting, etc. to them and I don't forget to say thank you. I take care not to be rude to them in such emails.

When I send an email asking for help, I will write a subject in a concise manner. For example, businessperson receive lots of emails. So if I don’t write a subject, they waste time to understand what I want to ask. In addition, when I send an email asking for help, I am careful to use the correct honorific. It’s important for my impressions.

When I send an e-mail asking for help, I write a clear statement of what kind of help I want , and a reason why I want help. Also, I think we should ask you not to be rude.

In an email for help I always include the reason why I need her or his help. I think it is so important because, if you do not be clear enough on why you must be helped, the person you are asking for help might think that you just do not want to do it and, it can cause another problems. So, been clear on why you need help might be very important.

When I send an email asking for help, It's important to write the subject to the email. Then the person who was given the email can know an overview of the email. Next, I'll include the date of meeting the person. We will force us to exchange email again without the date. But I think most important thing is polite language. If there is even one thing in the email that is rude, the receiver won't want to respond to my help. So, to review my email many times before sending it and to keep in mind the polite language on a daily basis are important.