An email request for help

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

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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Hello Kirk I don't really understand the meaning of this sentence below Do you have some time before close of business this Friday....... Could you explain it to me Thanks Nikolaos

Hello Nikolaos,

Which part of the sentence is confusing for you?

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

hello!! close of business Thank you

Hello Nikolaos

'close of business' means the end of the working day. Sarah is asking James if he can meet before finishing work on Friday. In a more specialised context, 'close of business' can also refer to when the stock market stops on any given day. People often work past that time, but officially trading does not occur.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

In email asking for help, first I will mention what kind of help I need. Then I will ask for convinient time and the important points.

I think a good email asking must be included a clear request, a proper description of the problem and setting a suitable time for the meeting.

It must include subject, date, time, and what and why help.

The following should be included in an email asking for help : - Date - Clear Subject - A request in a good manner of a particular subject - Thank you note at the end

You must express a soft tone. The letter must be with examples and supporting statements.

Dear Mis Bayat The reception department responsible Hows it going . In advance i want to appreciate your perfect job ,you re offering an acceptable and satisfing duty . As you know we are at the beginning of unpeak time of the hotel so we should try our best to progress our own business ,it requies to concentrate on introducing more and more our job and expanding the ralated propaganda, In order to do our best we have to get in touch with the companies we have been working with more to improve our marketing well. we have to find other companies to start and expand our marketing with them then we encourage or invite them to have a contract with us to make a start to cooperate . as a result i request you to make a list of the companies we have been working with from 3 years ago . please do it in the first priority . it s so necessary to get it in hurry and to do it soon. im looking forward to the list. Great job yours sincerely Mehrazin Mehrjoo public relations manager