In this short blog, we are going to share the characteristics and the format of an informal email. For PSLE situational writing, informal email is a common question. We will also share a sample informal email for our blog readers to refer to. We always advise our Primary 5 and 6 students to keep all the formats of situational writing in a file. Right before an examination, it becomes handy for them to refer to.
1. What is P.A.C
P.A.C is a popular format taught in primary schools.
Purpose - Why am I writing this email?
Audience - Who am I writing to?
Context - What is the situation? Should it be formal? Informal?
2. 2025 PSLE English Situational Writing changes
Students are still required to include 6 content points to fulfil the
task, however, the answer to one of these points will not be found
in the stimulus and the students will have to come up with their
own suggestion.
This suggestion must be a logically derived using the clues found
in the stimulus.
3. What are some characteristics of an informal email?
Audience | Informal emails are commonly written to family members, classmates and friends. You have a close connection with them and there is no need to be 'formal'. |
|---|---|
​Tone | ​Casual tone would be used. Contractions such as 'can't', 'haven't', 'isn't' can be used. |
Common purposes | ​Inform someone about something, e.g - a trip. Inviting someone to an event, e.g - birthday party. Or asking someone for a favour, e.g - borrow a camera. |
4. Format of an informal email
Below is the format of an informal email. Formats are extremely important in situational writing. However, we understand it is impossible to memorise everything by heart. Therefore, make it a habit to refer to all formats before going for an exam. We encourage students to keep it all in a file so it becomes handy to them. Do not confuse formats. Do also note there is no need for titles or addresses.
​Dear (First name of YOUR READER), |
1st paragraph: Your first paragraph would focus on inquiring about the well being of the reader. You may include how much you miss them or how long has it been since you saw them. Briefly state the purpose of the email and adopt a casual tone. |
2nd paragraph: Broad details. E.g If you are inviting a friend for a movie, you may want to give a description of the movie if it is one of the required content points. |
3rd paragraph: Logistic details - E.g date, venue and time of the event ( if it is required by the content points) |
4th paragraph: In this concluding paragraph, state any CALL TO ACTION (E.g favours). (hoping to hear from you). Don't forget to thank them. Also, it is good to remind them of the purpose of your email in this paragraph. Pay attention to what is required in the content points. |
​Yours lovingly, (Your First Name) |
5. Sample of an informal email
6. Other good habits to ace Situational Writing
Number the content points in pencil and then erase them later.
Organise paragraphs neatly. Every paragraph should have a purpose
To get the perfect tone, identify what type of formal email you are writing. Is it a complaint? Commendation? Suggestion? Choose the appropriate word choices to convey the tone.
Ensure grammar, spelling and punctuation is accurate.
Draw a logical conclusion for your input by paying attention to the stimulus.
We have released a PSLE SITUATIONAL WRITING CHEATSHEET based on the 2025 PSLE CHANGES
Did you like the technique above?
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We have come to the end of the blog. We hope these blog posts are useful. We cover plenty more during our classes. We offer both English Tuition and Creative Writing classes for both primary and secondary schools.
Our quizzes cover many aspects of creative writing. They are a great way to prepare for a composition exam. Here is a link to that!
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Here is an interesting article by GRAMMARLY on various tones used in writing. Here is the link https://www.grammarly.com/blog/types-of-tone/
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