TiP #25 Writing Task 1 Writing an Email: Adopt a good structure and flow, concentrate on appropriate tone & style for audience, edit carefully for small grammar errors that add up

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Pre-Writing Tips

1. Adopt a good structure & flow

✔ Paragraph 1: State purpose (formal) + event (informal).

• "I’m writing about the Spring Food Festival on June 10th, which had some logistical issues."

✔ Paragraph 2: Describe issue (formal) or details of event or function (informal)
           "The 1-hour wait for food left many attendees frustrated, and the lack of seating..."
Paragraph 3: Highlight problems + impact (formal) or your emotional reaction (informal)
✔ Paragraph 3: Suggest solutions, results or demands (formal) or way forward (informal)
         "Next year, adding more vendors and shaded seating would greatly improve..."
✔ Closing: Polite summary + contact (formal). or friendly farewell with invitation to respond (informal)

• "Thank you for considering my feedback. I’d be happy to discuss further at [email/phone]."

2. Concentrate on appropriate tone & style for audience

✔ Formality: Decide level of formality based on 1) Familiarity   2) Status in relation to audience    3) Power    
✔ Precision: Include specifics ("the north entrance line stretched past the parking lot").
✔ Cohesive Devices:

• "Firstly... Additionally... Consequently..."
• "While the music was great, the overcrowding ruined the experience."

3. Grammar & Clarity

✔ Use active voice: "The team didn’t provide enough trash bins" (not "Trash bins weren’t provided").
✔ Proofread: Check for subject-verb agreement, commas, and conciseness.

CELPIP Writing Task 1: Email Writing  Time: 27 minutes | Word Count: 150-200 words
Task Prompt
"You recently attended a community event that was poorly organized (e.g., long lines, lack of seating, or bad weather preparations). Write an email to the event organizers (around 150-200 words). Your email should:

1. Describe the event and what went wrong.
2. Explain how these issues affected attendees.
3. Suggest improvements for next year."

Model Email (190 words)
Subject: Feedback on Spring Food Festival

Dear Event Organizers,

I’m writing about the Spring Food Festival held last weekend. While I appreciated the diverse food options and live music, several issues affected the experience.

First, the lines for food trucks were excessively long—some attendees waited over an hour. With only four vendors for 200+ people, many left hungry. Additionally, the lack of shaded seating forced guests to sit on the grass under the hot sun, and trash bins overflowed by midday, creating a messy environment.

To improve future events, I suggest: (1) doubling the number of food vendors, (2) adding tents with seating, and (3) placing more trash/recycling stations. A timed entry system could also manage crowds.

Thank you for your hard work. I hope this feedback helps make next year’s festival even better. Feel free to contact me at [email] for further details.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]*

Post-Writing Assessment & Reflection

Self-Checklist
✔ Did I address all prompt requirements (problems, impact, solutions)?
✔ Did I use a clear structure (4 paragraphs)?
✔ Did I maintain a polite tone?
✔ Did I include specific examples?
✔ Did I stay within 200 words?

Reflection Questions

1. Were my suggestions realistic and actionable?
2. Did I balance criticism with appreciation?
3. How could I make the language more concise?

Practice Tip: Time yourself writing emails for other scenarios (e.g., complaint to landlord, thank-you note). Focus on clarity and tone.