GoalChange the tone of an online message to fit the person who will read it.
New words
tone · the feeling a message gives, such as polite, friendly or angryformal · careful and polite, used with teachers and other adultsinformal · relaxed, used with close friends and familynickname · a short or funny name that friends use
Explanation
When you talk, your voice and face show how you feel. Online messages have only words, so the tone must come from the words. Think about who will read the message. To a teacher or another adult, be polite and respectful. Use a title such as Mr. or Mrs., introduce yourself if you have not met, and say why you are writing in the first line. Do not joke. To a classmate you do not know well, use the full first name, not a nickname. To a close friend or someone in your family you may be more relaxed, but always stay respectful. On a video call your face is seen, but in writing your feelings are harder to show.
Reader
How to write
Teacher or adult
title, introduce yourself, reason first, no jokes
Classmate you know little
full first name, polite and clear
Close friend or family
more relaxed, but still respectful
Worked examples
Nour writes to her teacher: ‘Good morning, Mrs. Hala. My name is Nour from class 5B. I am writing to ask for help with my science project.’ She used a title, her name, and the reason in the first lines.
Marwan writes to a new classmate called Mohamed: ‘Hello Mohamed, would you like to join our football group?’ He does not use a nickname because they have only just met.
Salma writes to her cousin: ‘Hi Mimi! Are you coming on Friday?’ A nickname and a short question are fine between close family, as long as the words stay kind.
Class activity
Three readers, one message. Imagine you want to ask for help with homework. On paper write the same request three times: once to your teacher, once to a classmate you know a little, and once to your best friend. Underline the words you changed. Read the three messages to a partner and guess who each one is for.
Practice
1
Why must the tone of an online message come from the words?
The reader cannot hear your voice or see your face.
2
Name two things to do when writing to a teacher.
For example: use a title and say the reason first.
3
Why should you not use a nickname for a classmate you hardly know?
Nicknames are for close friends. A full first name is more respectful.
4
Look at the picture. Which reader needs the most formal message? Say the letter.
