Email Paragraphing
A LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS
How to divide up the information in an email into clear paragraphs
Lesson Plan Content:
Paragraphing in emails
Paragraphing discussion questions
- How many paragraphs should a twenty-line email have?
- How can you show that you are starting a new paragraph?
- What is a paragraph in English? What does changing to a new paragraph mean?
- Why is it important to make it clear that a new paragraph is starting?
- How many sentences should a paragraph have?
- What are the exceptions to the rules above, e.g. things which are not really paragraphs but are often in emails?
Generally good, bad or okay?
- One-sentence paragraphs (in the main body of the email)
- A sentence explaining the paragraph structure, e.g. “I’ve… and … below”
- A phrase or sentence introducing each paragraph
- One-sentence closing line
- One-sentence opening line
- Linking expressions to show the connection between ideas, especially ones which aren’t obviously linked
- Plan paragraphs before you start writing
Planning paragraphing
Plan one typical paragraph structure for each of the situations before, with at least two main paragraphs
- A complaint
- Replying to a complaint
- Suggesting a meeting time and place
- Saying that a suggested time and place is impossible
- Asking for information
- Giving information
Phrases for paragraphing
What phrases can you use to introduce paragraphs and link them together?
------------------------------
Suggested answers
- Probably two to four main body paragraphs plus opening lines and closing lines
- Usually leave a blank line, but an indent (with no blank line) is traditional in letters and possible in emails
- One paragraph is one topic, so changing paragraph means changing topic (in some way)
- Otherwise you don’t know whether you are talking about the same topic or have changed to a new one
- Two to five is usually about right
- Opening and closing lines, e.g. “Thank you for your letter yesterday” and “I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
Generally good, bad or okay?
- One-sentence paragraphs (in the body) – Generally bad
- A sentence explaining the paragraph structure – Generally good
- A phrase or sentence introducing each paragraph – Generally good
- One sentence closing line – Generally okay
- One sentence opening line – Generally okay
- Linking expressions to show the connection between ideas, especially ones which aren’t obviously linked – Generally good
- Plan paragraphs before you start writing – Generally good
Planning paragraphing
- A complaint – Background information/ Problem/ Expected action
- Replying to a complaint – Thanks for email (or other contact)/ Apology/ Reason/ Future action
- Suggesting a meeting time and place – Social language/ Reason for meeting/ Suggested time and place (and maybe other possibilities)/ Deadline to decide and future contact
- Saying that a suggested time and place is impossible – Thanks for invitation/ Apology and reason/ Other possible times and places
- Asking for information – Reason for writing/ Questions about first topic/ Questions about second topic/ Deadline for answers
- Giving information – Thanks for contact/ Answers about first topic/ Answers about second topic/ What to do if need more info
Phrases for paragraphing
- I’ve/ I’ll … and then…. below.
- I’ll… first and then…
- The first thing I want/ would like/ wanted to... is/ was...
- The next...
- Another…
- I also…
- Moving on to…
- I think that covers…
Terms of Use
Lesson plans & worksheets can be used by teachers without any fee in the classroom; however, please ensure you keep all copyright information and references to UsingEnglish.com in place.
You will need Adobe Reader to view these files.