Business emails chain writing game
Instructions for teachers
Choose one of the emails below and photocopy one per student. Students fill the gaps in the first section, then fold along the dotted line so the next person can’t read what they have written. They pass it to the next person in a circle then fill in the second part of the one they have received, fold, pass to the same person as before etc. until the emails are finished. Students then open them up, read them and discuss if they make sense and are good emails. Repeat with other versions if you wish.
Dealing with email complaints chain writing game
Take one copy of the worksheet each. Write something in the top space above, fold the paper along the dotted line, then pass it to the next person to do the same with the next line. Continue writing, folding and passing until the whole email is finished. Pass one more time, open, and discuss how much sense the email makes and how good or bad it is.
Dear _________________________________ (choose the name of a famous person)
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Thank you for your letter of ______________________________. (date)
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I am sorry about/ that __________________________________________________.
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This was because ________________________________________________________.
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To make up for this we would like to offer ______________________________________. Please let us know if this is acceptable.
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Alternatively, it might be possible for us to ____________________________________.
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Please let us know by ___________________________ which of these you would prefer.
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If you have any further questions or problems, please contact ______________________.
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Yours sincerely
_____________________________________ (write the name of another famous person)
Making arrangements chain writing game
Take one copy of the worksheet each. Write something in the top space above, fold the paper along the dotted line, then pass it to the next person to do the same with the next line. Continue writing, folding and passing until the whole email is finished. Pass one more time, open, and discuss how much sense the email makes and how good or bad it is.
Dear ________________________________ (choose the name of a famous person)
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Thank you for inviting me to _____________________________________________.
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I am afraid I won’t be free on __________________ at _________________________.
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This is because I will be _________ing (_____________________________) at that time.
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Why don’t we _____________________________________________________ instead?
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If this is okay with you, can you ______________________ me by _________________?
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Hope to ________________________________________________________ you soon.
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All the best/ Yours/ Yours faithfully/ Yours sincerely/ Cheers
_____________________________________ (write the name of another famous person)
Email requests chain writing game
Take one copy of the worksheet each. Write something in the top space above, fold the paper along the dotted line, then pass it to the next person to do the same with the next line. Continue writing, folding and passing until the whole email is finished. Pass one more time, open, and discuss how much sense the email makes and how good or bad it is.
Dear __________________________________ (choose the name of a famous person)
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I am writing to you because I need some information about ___________________.
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I tried looking for this information on/ in _______________________________________, but could not find what I was looking for. I hope you can help me with this.
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Could you please tell me if it’s true that ______________________________________?
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Could you also please inform me of any changes in ____________________________?
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On a different topic, can I ask for the latest news on ____________________________?
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My final question is: ____________________________________________________?
If you can give me any information on any of these it would be a great help.
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Yours sincerely
___________________________________ (write the name of another famous person)
Application email chain writing game
Take one copy of the worksheet each. Write something in the top space above, fold the paper along the dotted line, then pass it to the next person to do the same with the next line. Continue writing, folding and passing until the whole email is finished. Pass one more time, open, and discuss how much sense the email makes and how good or bad it is.
Head of Human Resources, ______________________________________ Ltd/ PLC
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Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing to apply for the position of ___________________, ref no. ___________…
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… which I saw advertised in ___________________ of ___________________ (date)
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I am particularly interested in this job because I have many years’ experience of ___________________________________________________________________.
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In the future I am looking for a job where I can ______________________________.
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People generally say I am a very ____________________________________ person.
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If you need job references, please write to ___________________________________.
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I am available for interview ____________________________________ (dates/ times)
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… and can start work _________________________________________ (dates/ times).
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If you need any more information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely yours
______________________ (write the name of a famous person)
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Related pages
(Dealing with) complaints page
Chain writing/ Consequences (TEFLtastic classics Part 17)
Over 300 pages of other emailing materials, including a polished up version of this worksheet, available here.
