CRAFTING IMPACTFUL OPENINGS AND ENDINGS IN SPM 1119/2 EMAILS

Image credit to: https://barnabaspartnership.com/2022/05/impactful-or-meaningful/

This write-up continues from Emails that Shine: Better Introduction and Closure for SPM 1119/2 (posted on September 19, 2025). In this follow-up, the focus is on helping ESL teachers guide their students to produce stronger, more meaningful openings and endings in their email responses.

As highlighted before, a common issue among candidates is that they begin too traditionally with phrases like “Hi, how are you? I hope you are fine.” While not wrong, such openings are predictable and do little to show engagement. Instead, encourage students to start by acknowledging the writer’s situation or feelings after analysing the email question carefully. This simple shift transforms their reply into one that feels warmer, more personal, and relevant to the given context. It also helps them practise tone setting, whether comforting, friendly, understanding, or encouraging (depending on the scenario given in the question).

Similarly, many students end their emails abruptly with short phrases such as “That’s all from me. Bye.” Such endings weaken the overall impact of their writing. Stronger closures should connect back to the sender’s situation, offer support, be motivating or share feelings, hopes, or wishes. In other words, the ending should not stand alone but link naturally to the earlier message.

As teachers, we can design tasks where students not only practise writing better closures but also explain why a particular ending matches the situation. This dual activity deepens their awareness of context and tone. For instance:

Closure given:

I can’t wait to join your beach cleaning project, Adam! Count me in! Bye.

Possible situation:

Adam, who is probably the leader of the Nature Club, has invited friends to take part in a beach cleaning project he is organising. The closure shows enthusiasm, agreement, and support for Adam’s initiative.

By pairing closures with their possible contexts, students learn to write with intention rather than habit. Over time, this practice strengthens not only their examination performance but also their ability to communicate more thoughtfully in real-life email writing.

Task for Candidates

For each of the email closures provided, identify and discuss the possible situation the sender might be experiencing. Explain your ideas by adding a few supporting details to make the situation clearer and more realistic.

CLOSURE:

1.     I am confident my tips will make you feel more prepared. Wishing you the best of luck in your competition! Bye.

2.     I hope everything will be settled soon and you won’t feel too stressed. Take care, dear.

3.     I hope you will really enjoy your school camping. Have lots of fun together! Take care, dear.

4.     Stay strong and always be positive, Maya! I truly hope you’ll find learning English enjoyable. Wishing you success in your journey.

5.     I hope you’ll feel calmer and ready for your exams. Wishing you excellent results!

6.     Please keep me updated as I would love to know how things go. I hope your friendship will remain strong no matter the distance. Stay positive, dear.

7.     Don’t worry too much. I know everything will turn out fine. I hope your teacher will love your thoughtful gift. Wishing you all the best!

8.     I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful class monitor. Wishing you success in your new role.

9.     Remember to enjoy every step of learning to cook. Wishing you happy moments in your cooking class.

10. Wishing you peaceful nights ahead. Sending you my warmest hug and best wishes, dear!

11. I can’t wait to hear your stories of success. I know you will get your desired weight sooner than you think.  

12. Believe in yourself, dear! I hope your channel will be a success. Wishing you fun and creativity on this journey!

13. I hope your parents will understand your feelings soon. Wishing you the best outcome.

14. Stay focused and your result will amaze you, Jerry! Wishing you good discipline and success.

15. I am positive you’ll find joy in helping others. Keep shining because you are capable of so much more, Azam!