Situational Writing

As the name goes, you are given a situation and you need to respond accordingly to that given situation. Be it a letter, an email or writing a note for someone, you must bear in mind the objectives (or aims / targets) of your writing.

• Are you trying to relay information, ask questions, send an invitation or submit a complaint?


• What do you want the recipient do?


• What is the tone of your writing? Are you polite enough (especially when you are asking for a favour)?


• Have you written down all the important 5 or 6 points given in the question? Are these points clear, specific and foolproof to the reader?


• Have you written your greetings at the beginning of your writing and sign off at the end of it?


• Lastly, re-read it again yourself. Imagine you are the recipient. Do you understand the message? Is there enough information for you to reply the sender?

Situational writing takes up 15 marks in your overall EL exam scores (upon 200 marks). This section is an easy section for you to score well so please take note of the above pointers when doing your situational writing.