📧 Situational Writing
Situational Writing requires you to write a 250-350 word piece in a specific format (email, letter, report, proposal, or speech). You must address all the task requirements using an appropriate tone.
Formal Email
Used when writing to someone you do not know personally or to an authority figure such as a school principal, an organisation, or a government body. Maintain a respectful, professional tone throughout.
Required Structure
Example
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to suggest improvements to the cleanliness standards at Chinatown Complex Food Centre, which I visit regularly.
[Body paragraphs with specific suggestions]
I hope that NEA will consider implementing these measures. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Jane Tan
Informal Email
Used when writing to a friend, family member, or someone you know well. The tone is friendly and conversational, but you must still address all task requirements from the stimulus material.
Required Structure
Example
Hi Amirah,
How have you been? I hope your new school is treating you well!
I'm writing to tell you about the class gathering we're planning for the December holidays...
[Body with details]
Let me know if you can make it! It would be amazing to have everyone together again.
Take care,
Wei Lin
The #1 Situational Writing Mistake
Address ALL bullet points
- ✓Read the question carefully — every bullet = a required point
- ✓Missing even ONE point costs 2-3 marks under Task Fulfilment
- ✓Use a checklist to tick off each requirement
Common mistakes
- ✗Skipping a bullet point because you ran out of ideas
- ✗Writing too much on one point and ignoring others
- ✗Using the wrong tone (formal vs informal)
Scoring Tip
Even if your English is imperfect, addressing ALL the required points in the correct format will score you at least a passing grade. Task Fulfilment is weighted equally with Language.
Can You Spot the Format?
Challenge: Before you start writing, always identify the format (email, report, speech?), the audience (principal, friend, public?), and the purpose (persuade, inform, request?). Get these 3 right and you're halfway to Band 1!