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Email Format and sample

Format and structure of formal email

There are five elements to consider when formatting your email. Here is a breakdown of each:

1. Subject line

This is a short phrase that summarizes the reason for your message or the goal of your communication. It is important to include a subject line when sending a professional email so your audience knows exactly what to expect and is able to locate the message easily if needed. For example:

“Follow Up: Product Presentation”

2. Salutation

This is the first line of your email and generally acts as the greeting. For example:

“Hi Mr. Samson,”

3. Body

Just like the body of a letter, this is where you’ll share your full message. For example:

“Thank you for attending the new product presentation this afternoon. I’ve attached a video file of the full recording so you can share it with your team. Please let me know if you have any questions.”

4. Closing

This is the last line of your email before your signature and should wrap up your message. This is also where you may reiterate any requests you’ve made in the body of your message. For example:

“I look forward to speaking with you on Wednesday. Thanks again!”

5. Signature

The signature is where you identify yourself by name, title and any other information relevant to your communications. Most email programs allow you to set a fixed signature that’s automatically added to the end of every email you send.

“Sincerely,
Jillian Jones
Senior Software Engineer
ABC Company, Inc.”

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