Ask / Action
In your email’s ask/action section, you will ask the recipient for a specific call to action. What are you expecting them to do after receiving your email? It is critical to ensure that your call to action is clear on what needs to be done and who should do it.
It is also best practice to include a deadline of when it should be completed. This will eliminate any future issues. The call to action is often omitted or poorly defined in emails, making it nearly impossible for the recipient to respond correctly.
Call To Action Example
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Softening Phrases
When it comes to writing English business emails, there are phrases that you can use that are referred to as Softening Phrases. These softening phrases allow you to make a more polite request to your reader. Soft phrases are best used when the person doesn’t have to say yes when making a big request and requesting something from someone at a higher level than you in the organization.
The first important thing to remember during phrase softening is that you should ask, don’t tell!
In English, expectations often come in the form of a question. Here are some examples:
| Tell | Ask |
| I really hope that you will… | Would you mind helping me with this? |
| I expect to have the information by Friday | Could you please send me the information by Friday at the latest? |
| We would appreciate you being there. | Would it be possible for you to attend the meeting next week? |
The second important thing to remember to soften your phrase is to include please and/or thank you
Yes, it does sound like simple advice, but you will be surprised how many people forget these two small words. There is a big difference in how your message is preserved.
| Without Please and Thank you | With Please and Thank you |
| The meeting starts at 12 tomorrow | Please remember that the meeting is starting at 12 tomorrow |
| Leave the document on my desk before you leave | Please leave the document on my desk before you leave |
| I received your report | Thank you for sending your report. |
The last thing to remember during phrase softening is that you should send the right message
We know that short and sweet is usually the best approach but when it comes to emails you need to remember that we can’t identify emotions correctly over an email. So sometimes a few extra words could help to get the right message across. Take a look at these two examples.
Example 1
Ms. Burger,
The spreadsheet you send me yesterday has a few problems. Please check columns two and three and send me an updated version.
Many thanks in advance,
Sandy
Example 2
Ms. Burger,
Thank you for the spreadsheet that you send through to me. The information will assist me greatly in the next stage of the project.
I have, however, come across a few inconsistencies in the data. Would you mind having a look at columns two and three, making sure that the data is correct? Please contact me as soon as you have the results.
Best regards,
Sandy
You can effectively make use of the following softening phrases in your emails:
- I was hoping you / I could
- I was wondering if you / I could
- Do you think you / I might be able to?
Now that we understand better ways to ask your reader to take a specific action, let us look at an example of a polite request vs. an in-polite request.
In-Polite vs. Polite Request
Example Of An In-Polite Request
Sam,
I will need your report by 5 p.m. today, or I will miss my deadline.
Harry
Example Of A Polite Request
Hi Sam,
Thank you for all your hard work on that report. Could you please get your version over to me by 5 p.m. to not miss my deadline?
Thank you so much!
Harry
Remember to take into consideration how the person reading your email will feel while they are reading it.
Formal Vs Informal Requests Phrases
| Making a Formal Request | Making an Information Request |
| Could you please let me know if you are available? | I was just wondering if you were around later… |
| I would appreciate it if you could send me the document… | Would you mind coming earlier? |
| Could we arrange a meeting later? | Can you call me back ASAP? |
