Writing: E-mail and Text Message Basic 6 English Studies Lesson Note

What is E-mail?

E-mail (electronic mail) is a way to send messages through the internet. It’s faster than regular mail and can include pictures and documents.

Parts of an E-mail:

1. To: Recipient’s email address
2. Subject: Brief description of message content
3. Greeting: Dear/Hi + name
4. Body: Main message
5. Closing: Best regards/Thanks
6. Signature: Your name

Sample E-mail Format:

To: funmi.ade@email.com
Subject: Invitation to Visit Olumo Rock

Dear Funmi,

I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing to invite you to join our family trip to Olumo Rock next Saturday. We’ll be leaving Lagos at 8:00 AM and returning by 6:00 PM.

The trip includes transportation, lunch, and guided tour of the rock. It costs ₦2,500 per person. Please let me know by Wednesday if you can come so we can make proper arrangements.

I’m really excited about this trip and hope you can join us!

Best regards, Kemi

What is a Text Message?

A text message (SMS) is a short message sent through mobile phones. Text messages are brief and use informal language.

Features of Text Messages:

• Short and direct
• Informal language
• Common abbreviations
• No formal greetings/closings

Common Text Abbreviations:

• u = you
• ur = your/you’re
• b4 = before
• 2day = today
• 2moro = tomorrow
• thx = thanks
• pls = please
• txt = text
• msg = message
• w/ = with

Sample Text Messages:

Example 1: “Hi Tunde! Can u meet me @ school gate b4 8am 2moro? We need 2 practice our presentation. Thx!”

Example 2: “Mum, I’ll b late from school 2day. Basketball practice until 5pm. Will take bus home. Pls don’t worry.”

Exercise H – Write an E-mail

Write an e-mail inviting a friend to visit a tourist attraction with you:

To: _________________________________
Subject: _________________________________

Your name: _________________________________

Exercise I – Convert to Text Message

Rewrite this e-mail as a short text message:

E-mail: “Dear John, I hope you are well. Please remember that we have a mathematics test tomorrow. You should study chapters 5 and 6. Good luck with your preparation. Best regards, Mary.”

Text Message: _________________________________

Exercise J – E-mail vs Text Message

Choose E (E-mail) or T (Text Message) for each situation:

1. Sending homework to your teacher ___
2. Asking your friend to call you back ___
3. Inviting grandparents to your graduation ___
4. Telling your parents you’ll be late ___
5. Applying for a school club ___
6. Asking what time the movie starts ___

Exercise K – Text Message Practice

Write text messages for these situations:

1. Telling your friend you can’t come to their party:
2. Asking your parent to pick you up from school:
3. Reminding your study partner about tomorrow’s test:
4. Thanking someone for a birthday gift:

Exercise L – E-mail Subject Lines

Write appropriate subject lines for these e-mails:

1. Asking teacher for extra help with mathematics Subject: _________________________________
2. Inviting cousin to spend holidays with you Subject: _________________________________
3. Reporting a problem with school computer Subject: _________________________________
4. Thanking someone for helping with project Subject: _________________________________

Answer Key

Exercise A:

1. 137 meters above sea level
2. Warm and cold springs meet but maintain different temperatures
3. Sukur Cultural Landscape
4. Yankari National Park
5. Poor infrastructure, inadequate marketing, security concerns (any three)
6. Through jobs in hotels, restaurants, transportation, and handicraft production

Exercise B: 1-b, 2-c, 3-e, 4-d, 5-a

Exercise C:

• Olumo Rock: Abeokuta, Ogun State; 137m high granite formation
• Ikogosi Warm Springs: Ekiti State; Warm and cold springs meet
• Yankari National Park: Bauchi State; Wildlife and warm springs
• Sukur Cultural Landscape: Adamawa State; UNESCO World Heritage Site

Exercise D: 1-T, 2-F, 3-T, 4-F, 5-T

Exercise G: 1-tourism, 2-attractions, 3-spectacular, 4-heritage, 5-phenomenon

Exercise J: 1-E, 2-T, 3-E, 4-T, 5-E, 6-T

Exercise N: 1-B, 2-G, 3-B, 4-G, 5-B, 6-G