A short message earns marks when it answers every point in the task. Number the points, write one clear sentence for each, and tick them off before you finish.
This lesson opens the short communicative messages section. The next skill is choosing an appropriate greeting and ending.
How do I turn instructions into points?
Read the task once and underline each action the writer must do. Number the underlined actions in the margin. These numbers are your checklist.
Copy the numbers onto your plan and tick each one when you have written its sentence.
Worked example: an original task
The task: “You are the captain of your school football team. Write an email to Mr Hassan, the coach. In your email: tell him the result of Saturday’s match, explain why the team needs extra practice, and ask him to choose a time.”
Numbered points: (1) the result, (2) why extra practice, (3) ask him to choose a time.
Draft.
Dear Mr Hassan,
We played against SMK Bukit on Saturday and lost 2-3.
Thank you for your time. Yours sincerely, Daniel
| Point | In the draft? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Result | Yes | “lost 2-3” |
| 2 Why extra practice | No | Missing |
| 3 Ask him to choose a time | No | Missing |
Repaired.
Dear Mr Hassan,
We played against SMK Bukit on Saturday and lost 2-3.
The team needs extra practice because we let in two goals from corners. Could you please choose a time this week that suits you?
Yours sincerely, Daniel
All three points now appear, in the same order as the task.
The mistake that costs marks
The slip is to spend the whole message on the first point. The opening grows long, and the later points shrink or disappear.
The repair is to plan one sentence for each point before you write. Add detail only after every point has a sentence.
Check yourself
Task: “Write to your aunt. In your email: thank her for the gift, say what you used it for, and invite her to your graduation.” List the points and write one sentence for each.
Answer
Points: (1) thank her, (2) say what you used the gift for, (3) invite her.
Model sentences: “Thank you for the lovely backpack you sent me.” “I used it on my school camp last week, and it carried everything I needed.” “I would be happy if you could come to my graduation on 14 November.”
Other sentences are fine if each one matches a numbered point, in order.
What to study next
With the content right, check the tone. Continue with choosing an appropriate greeting and ending, then try the short messages practice.
If you would like a teacher to check your drafts against the task with you, see online one-to-one English tuition.