The Professional Email: Subject, Tone and Clear Requests

SubstitutePlans.com
English Language Arts · English 9-12
SP-ELA912-017 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 2
The Professional Email: Subject, Tone and Clear
Requests
English Language Arts · English 9-12 · Grades 10-12 · 45 minutes
Time needed
45 minutes (one class period)
Prep
Copy the 2-page worksheet (one per student). Write the email parts on the board.
Technology
None.
Student
independence
High. Individual work with a short class discussion.
Copies to make
One 2-page worksheet per student
Materials
Pencils or pens, Worksheet, Whiteboard or chalkboard
Goal for today: Students will identify the parts of a professional email, revise a casual message into a professional
one and write a clear email that makes a specific request.
Before the bell
☐ Copy the worksheet, one per student (2 pages).
☐ Write on the board: SUBJECT LINE (clear and specific) / GREETING (Dear …,) / REQUEST (first or second
sentence) / THANK YOU / CLOSING + NAME.
☐ Keep the answer key on your desk. Students write on paper only. No email is sent.
Say this to start
Good morning! Today you will practice writing professional emails, the kind you would send to a teacher, a coach or a
boss. A professional email is short, polite and clear about what you want. You will pick better choices, fix a sloppy
email, and write one of your own on paper. Nothing will actually be sent.
Run of show
Minutes
What you do
What students do
0–5
Take attendance. Hand out the worksheet and read the
directions aloud.
Look over the worksheet.
5–10
Read the email parts on the board aloud. Ask, “Why does
the subject line matter?” Take two answers.
Listen and answer.
10–20
Tell students to answer questions 1–8 (multiple choice and
true/false).
Answer on their own.
20–30
Tell students to complete questions 9 and 10: a better
subject line and a rewritten email.
Fix a subject line and rewrite the casual
message.
30–42
Tell students to write the original email in question 11.
Walk the room.
Write a complete email on paper with a
subject line, greeting, request, thanks and
closing.
42–45
Collect all worksheets and place them in a stack for the
teacher.
Hand in the worksheet.

SubstitutePlans.com
English Language Arts · English 9-12
SP-ELA912-017 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 3
If things go wrong
• If a student says nobody writes formal emails anymore, tell them employers and schools still notice tone and
clarity.
• If students ask what to put for their own name, tell them to sign with [Your name] on this worksheet.
• If a student is stuck on question 11, tell them to write the request first and add the greeting and thanks
afterward.
• If a student finishes early, use the early finisher list.
Early finishers
• Rewrite your email in three sentences or fewer.
• Write a polite reply from Mr. Brooks that approves or denies the request.
Support and challenge
• Support: Provide this frame: “Dear __, I am writing to ask if __. I can __. Thank you for your time. Sincerely,
__.”
• Challenge: Ask students to add one sentence that offers a solution, such as finding someone to cover the
shift.
Notes for the teacher (you fill this in)
Jot a few lines before you leave. A full Daily Sub Report is in the free Sub Survival Kit at SubstitutePlans.com.
How far the class got / what to pick up next:
Students who were especially helpful:
Anything the teacher should know: