What is it for?
Write a short text message to give one piece of information or ask one simple question.
What to include
- One purpose: give information or ask one question.
- An optional short greeting, such as Hi Sam,.
- A short message with 3 to 12 words.
- An optional short sign-off, such as Bye!
- Capital letters, full words, and correct punctuation.
How to organise it
- Start with an optional greeting.
- Write one short statement or question.
- Use at before a time, such as at five.
- End statements with a full stop and questions with a question mark.
- Add an optional sign-off.
Model text
Three Short Text Messages
Message 1: Mia asks
Hi Leo, where are you?
Reply: Leo gives information
Hi Mia, I'm at home.
Message 2: Mia answers
Yes, I can. See you at five!
Key language
| Rule or pattern | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| I'm at + place. | I'm at the cafe. | I'm at school. |
| I'm here. / I'm at home. | I'm here. | I'm at home. |
| See you at + time. | See you at five. | See you at 6:30. |
| Are you at + place? | Are you at home? | Are you at school? |
| Where are you? / What time is it? | Where are you? | What time is it? |
| Can you come? / Yes, I can. / No, I can't. | Can you come? | No, I can't. |
| Use capital letters and full words. Use correct punctuation. | I'm at home. | Are you here? |
UK / US: In the UK, people say mobile phone. In the US, people say cell phone. Text message is used in both.
Practice
Choose the Best Message
Read the situation. Choose the clearest, shortest, and most polite message.
1.You want to tell Sam your location.
This message gives your location in a clear sentence.
2.You want to ask where Ana is.
This is a clear question with a question mark.
3.You want to say you are at home.
This short sentence gives one piece of information.
4.You want to ask the time.
This is a complete question with correct punctuation.
5.You want to answer yes to Can you come?
This is a complete and correct short answer.
6.You want to tell Kim the time to meet.
Use at before the time and a full stop for a statement.
Put the Words in Order
Put the words in the correct order to make a short message.
1.Put the words in order:
I'mathome
Use I'm at before a place.
2.Put the words in order:
Whereareyou
Where are you? asks for a person's location.
3.Put the words in order:
cafetheatI'm
Use at the before this place.
4.Put the words in order:
comeCanyou
Start this yes-or-no question with Can.
5.Put the words in order:
Seeatyoufive
Use at before the time in this message.
Complete the Message
Write one word or short form in each gap.
1. at home.
I'm or I am gives information about your location.
2. you at school?
Use Are at the start of this question.
3. are you?
Use Where to ask about a person's location.
4.I'm the cafe.
Use at before a place in this message.
5. you come?
Use Can to ask if someone is able to come.
6.See you 6:30.
Use at before a time.
Correct the Message
Rewrite each message with the mistake corrected.
1.im at home.
Start the sentence with a capital letter and write I'm correctly.
2.where are you?
Start a sentence with a capital letter.
3.u at the cafe?
Use full words and the correct question form.
4.What time is it
A question needs a question mark.
5.see you at five.
Start a sentence with a capital letter.
Now write
Your task
Write three short text messages. Write one message with information, one question, and one answer. Keep each message between 3 and 12 words.
Word bank
homeschoolcafeparkherefivesix6:30at homeat schoolYes, I can.No, I can't.
Sentence starters
- I'm at ...
- Where are ...?
- Are you at ...?
- Yes, I can. / No, I can't.