IB English B Emails & Social Media Posts Notes

Writing for Direct Impact

1. These two text types test whether you can adapt tone quickly: emails must follow formal or semi-formal conventions, while social media posts are concise, visual, and persuasive.
2. Examiners want to see you can switch register to fit audience and platform.

Emails

1. Purpose, Audience & Register
   1. Purpose: Share information, make requests, respond politely, invite, or persuade.
   2. Audience: Teachers, employers, classmates, or organisations.
   3. Register: Formal to semi-formal, depending on the recipient.
2. Layout & Conventions
   1. Subject line (short and specific).
   2. Greeting (formal: “Dear Ms Tan,” / semi-formal: “Hi Alex,”).
   3. Body paragraphs each with one purpose.
   4. Closing (formal: “Yours sincerely,” / semi-formal: “Best,”).
   5. Name (full name if formal).

Key Features

1. Tone: Polite, respectful, clear.
2. Vocabulary: Linking phrases (“I am writing to…”, “I would like to request…”), polite modal verbs (“could,” “would”), neutral adjectives.

How to Write an Email

1. Write a clear subject line.
2. Use a greeting with the correct level of formality.
3. Open with a line that states your reason for writing.
4. Organise body into short paragraphs, each with a clear focus.
5. Close with a polite request or summary.
6. Finish with an appropriate sign-off.

Social Media Posts

1. Purpose, Audience & Register
   1. Purpose: Share updates, persuade, raise awareness, entertain.
   2. Audience: Public followers, peers, community groups.
   3. Register: Informal, catchy, often persuasive.
2. Layout & Conventions
   1. Username/handle at the top.
   2. Post body: short, punchy sentences.
   3. Hashtags to connect topics.
   4. Links or images possibly included.
   5. Call to action at the end (“Join us!” “Comment below.”).

Key Features

1. Tone: Humorous, persuasive, immediate.
2. Vocabulary: Short phrases, exclamations, hashtags, imperatives (“Join us,” “Check this out”).

How to Write a Social Media Post

1. Start with a hook (a surprising fact, a question, or a bold statement).
2. Keep sentences short (one idea per line).
3. Add an image or hashtag if relevant.
4. Use persuasive language or a call to action.
5. Stay within 3–6 sentences.