Prompt 1

Ask for a refund on a bad work order

I am Carol Mendez, and I need help writing a firm but polite email to the manager at Home Depot in Cedar Rapids. On Friday, September 12, I paid $187 for a dishwasher delivery and install, but the crew arrived three hours late, scratched my kitchen floor, and left the old dishwasher in my garage. I called the store twice and nobody has fixed it yet. I feel frustrated and a little embarrassed because I trusted them. Write an email that asks for a full refund of the installation fee and a written plan to fix the floor damage. Make me sound calm, serious, and like I know what I am asking for. Sign it Carol Mendez.

Prompt 2

Write a follow-up after a job interview

I am Carol Mendez, and I interviewed last Tuesday with Sandra Lopez for the office manager job at Prairie Family Clinic. The interview went well, and she said she hoped to make a decision within a week. I am nervous because I really want this job, but I do not want to sound pushy. Write a short, warm follow-up email thanking her for her time, reminding her that I am still very interested, and asking if there is anything else she needs from me. Keep it professional, confident, and natural. Sign it Carol Mendez.

Prompt 3

Ask your boss for a schedule change

I am Carol Mendez, and I need help emailing my supervisor, David, at the community center. My daughter’s bridal shower is on Saturday, October 11, and I need to leave work two hours early on Friday, October 10, to help set up. I have been working there for four years, I rarely ask for time off, and I am worried he will think I am being difficult. Write a respectful email asking for the schedule change, offering to make up the time, and sounding responsible and appreciative. Sign it Carol Mendez.

Prompt 4

Reply to a rude coworker professionally

I am Carol Mendez, and I need to reply to an email from my coworker Patricia at the law office. She wrote back to me in a snippy tone about the filing system and made it sound like I was careless, which embarrassed me because I was just following the process I was given. I do not want to start a fight, but I also do not want to sound weak. Write a calm, professional reply that clears up the misunderstanding, states that I followed the current system, and invites her to talk if she wants to improve it. Keep me firm, polite, and unbothered. Sign it Carol Mendez.

Prompt 5

Ask for a deadline extension at work

I am Carol Mendez, and I need to email Michael in accounting to ask for a two-day extension on the expense report that was due today at 5 p.m. My husband had a medical appointment at Mayo Clinic this morning, I got home late, and I am still missing three receipts from last week’s Costco trip and one $47 Target receipt. I feel embarrassed and stressed, but I do not want to sound careless. Write an email that explains the situation briefly, asks for the extension, and reassures him that I will finish it by Wednesday at noon. Sign it Carol Mendez.

Prompt 6

Turn a messy note into a clean work email

I am Carol Mendez, and I wrote myself a terrible note after a phone call with the insurance company: they said the claim for my shingles repair is still missing the contractor’s invoice, they will not review it until they get it, and I should send it to claims by Friday. I am annoyed because I already sent half the paperwork twice. Rewrite this into a clear, professional email to my contractor, Tom at Ridgeway Roofing, asking him to send the invoice today so I can keep the claim moving. Make it sound organized, polite, and a little urgent. Sign it Carol Mendez.

Prompt 7

Decline a meeting without sounding rude

I am Carol Mendez, and I need to reply to an invitation from Sandra for a Zoom meeting on Thursday at 3 p.m. about the new office software rollout. I already have a dentist appointment in Des Moines at that time, and I do not want to sit through a meeting that could have been an email. Write a polite reply that declines the meeting, says I would appreciate the notes or a recording, and sounds friendly but not too eager. Sign it Carol Mendez.

Prompt 8

Ask HR about a payroll mistake

I am Carol Mendez, and I need help writing to HR because my paycheck from September 19 was short by $168.50, and the overtime I worked on Tuesday and Thursday was not included. I am worried because my mortgage payment is due next week, and this mistake is making me anxious. Write a calm but firm email to HR asking them to review the payroll error right away, correct it, and tell me when I can expect the missing money. Sign it Carol Mendez.

Prompt 9

Send a thank-you note after a work favor

I am Carol Mendez, and I want to send a thank-you email to David in IT for helping me recover a file I thought was gone forever after my computer froze yesterday afternoon. He stayed on the phone for 20 minutes, and I was honestly relieved enough to cry a little. Write a warm, professional thank-you email that shows I really appreciated his help without sounding over the top. Sign it Carol Mendez.

Prompt 10

Reschedule a client call after a family emergency

I am Carol Mendez, and I need to email Patricia Greene at Blue River Consulting to reschedule our 2 p.m. call today. My mother fell at home this morning, I am at the hospital in Omaha, and I feel worried and scattered. I do not want to give too many personal details, but I need to sound respectful and professional. Write a brief email apologizing for the inconvenience, asking to move the call to tomorrow or Thursday, and offering to send any documents she needs in the meantime. Sign it Carol Mendez.