Writing an email giving instructions - A1 English writing — Explanation

Improve your A1 English skills with email writing exercises. Practice giving instructions with easy tasks and beginner-friendly examples.

Email Writing Exercises

Writing an email that gives instructions is a useful skill to have in everyday life. You might need to ask a friend to water your plants or give instructions to a classmate or show someone how to do simple things. So a good instruction email should be short, clear and easy to follow. Good structure and simple language will help the reader to understand what you are saying.

How to Organize Your E-mail

When writing for A1, keep your email simple and break it into three parts:

1. Greeting
Begin with a friendly greeting.

Examples:

• Hi Alex,
• Hello Mia,
• Dear Sam,

Then tell me why you are writing.

Examples:

• Thanks for helping me this week.
• I need your help while I’m away.
• Can you help me with a few things?

2. Main Part
Make your instructions clear. Group similar ideas together and use short sentences. Well-organized instructions are easier to follow.

Examples:

• Please feed the cat every morning.
• Water the plants every two days.
• Don’t forget to lock the door.
• Remember to turn off the lights.

3. Closing
Be polite at the end and thank the person.

Examples:

• Thanks for your help.
• See you soon.
• Call me if there is a problem.
• Best,
  Anna

Use Imperatives for Instructions

Often we use the imperative form when giving instructions. Use the verb without you or to .

Examples:

• Open the window.
• Feed the dog.
• Take the keys.

Negative form:

• Don’t leave the door open.
• Don’t forget the homework.
• Don’t give too much water.

Adding please makes instructions more friendly.

Examples:

• Please clean the kitchen.
• Please call me later.

Helpful Expressions

Typical phrases used in A1 instruction emails are:

Asking nicely

• Can you please...?
• Could you please...?
• Please remember to...
• Don’t forget to...

The arrangement of ideas

• First,
• Then,
• Next,
• Also,
• Finally,

Connectors will make your email sound more structured and natural.