The key idea
I can identify my reader, purpose and key points, then put them in a useful order before writing.
What is it for?
Learn how to make a short plan before writing an email or another text.
What you need to know
- Read the writing task twice.
- Find the reader, purpose and required points.
- Write keywords instead of full sentences.
- Put the points in a clear order.
- Choose useful phrases and the right level of formality.
- Save time to plan, write and check.
1. Read the task carefully
Read the task twice before you start writing. The first time, find out what you must write. The second time, underline the important points. Look for who, what, when, where and why.
- Who will read your text?
- What must you write?
- When or where is it happening?
- Why are you writing?
- Which details must you include?
Write an email to your friend about a picnic on Sunday.
Underline the reader, the text type and the important day.
Say what food you can bring and ask about the time.
These are two points your email must include.
2. Answer three questions
Ask three questions before you write. Your answers help you choose the right information. They also help you write for your reader.
- Who reads it? A friend, a teacher or a manager?
- Why am I writing? To invite, explain, ask or give information?
- What must the reader know or do?
- Use these answers to choose your words and tone.
Reader: my friend.
A friendly greeting is a good choice.
Purpose: accept a picnic invitation.
Say yes and give the needed details.
Reader's question: What food can you bring?
Include the food in your plan.
3. Make a short plan
Write keywords, not full sentences. Keywords are short notes about your ideas. Put them in an order that makes sense. You can add sentences later.
- Start with the greeting or main point.
- Add the details the reader needs.
- Put questions near the end.
- Finish with a suitable closing.
- Check that every required point is in your plan.
Hi Maya → yes → bring sandwiches → what time? → see you
The arrows show the order of the email.
Hello Mr Lee → appointment → Tuesday, 10: 00 → thank you → goodbye
This plan uses a more formal style.
4. Choose your words and manage your time
Choose three or four useful phrases before writing. Use words that fit your reader. A friend can receive a friendly email. A manager may need a more formal message.
- Friendly: Hi Sam, Thanks for your email.
- Formal: Dear Mr Lee, Thank you for your message.
- Ask: What time should I arrive?
- Close: See you soon. / Kind regards,
- For a short text, plan for 2 minutes, write for 8 minutes, and check for 2 minutes.
Plan: 2 minutes. Write: 8 minutes. Check: 2 minutes.
Use this simple plan for a short writing task.
Keywords: yes, sandwiches, Sunday, what time?
Turn each keyword into a sentence when you write.
5. Worked example: from task to text
Read the task and find every required point. Make a short plan in the right order. Then turn each note into one or more sentences.
- Task: identify the reader and purpose.
- Plan: list the details and questions.
- Text: write complete sentences from your notes.
- Check: make sure you included every point.
Task: Write an email to your friend. Accept a picnic invitation, say what food you can bring, and ask about the time.
The task gives the reader, purpose and three required points.
Plan: Hi Maya → accept → sandwiches → Sunday → ask time → see you
These keywords cover the task in a clear order.
Hi Maya, Thanks for inviting me to the picnic. I'd love to come on Sunday. I can bring sandwiches and some apples. What time should I arrive? I can help you prepare the food, too. See you on Sunday! Best wishes, Alex
The email follows the plan and includes every required point.
How to do it, step by step
- Read the task twice and underline the important points.
- Decide who will read your text and why you are writing.
- Write keywords for every required point.
- Put the keywords in a clear order and choose useful phrases.
- Write the text, then check it against the task.
Formulas and key language
| Use it for | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| Hi + name, | Hi Maya, | Hi Daniel, |
| Thanks for + noun or -ing form. | Thanks for your email. | Thanks for inviting me. |
| I'd love to + verb. | I'd love to come. | I'd love to help. |
| I can bring + noun. | I can bring sandwiches. | I can bring some juice. |
| I can help with + noun. | I can help with the food. | I can help with the chairs. |
| What time should I + verb? | What time should I arrive? | What time should I call? |
| Could you tell me + question word? | Could you tell me the time? | Could you tell me the address? |
| See you + time or day. | See you on Sunday. | See you tomorrow. |
UK / US: Some greetings and closing phrases differ between British and American English. Both styles are acceptable when used consistently.
Model text
From a task to an email
Task
Your friend Maya invites you to a picnic on Sunday. Write an email. Accept the invitation, say what food you can bring, and ask about the time.
Find the reader, purpose and three required points before writing.
Plan
Reader: Maya. Purpose: accept picnic invitation. Greeting: Hi Maya. Details: Sunday, bring sandwiches and apples. Question: what time? Closing: see you Sunday.
Use short keywords and put them in a useful order.
Text
Hi Maya, Thanks for inviting me to the picnic. I'd love to come on Sunday. I can bring sandwiches and some apples. What time should I arrive? I can help you prepare the food, too. See you on Sunday! Best wishes, Alex
The email follows the plan and answers every part of the task.
Common mistakes
✗ Start writing without reading the whole task.
✓ Read the task twice and underline the required points.
You may forget an important detail if you start too soon.
✗ Plan: picnic, Sunday, food.
✓ Plan: accept invitation, Sunday, bring sandwiches, ask time.
The better plan includes every point from the task.
✗ Write every sentence in your plan.
✓ Write keywords, then make sentences later.
Short notes help you plan faster.
✗ Use Hi Maya in a formal letter to a manager.
✓ Use Dear Mr Lee in a formal message.
Your greeting should fit the reader.
✗ Forget to ask about the time.
✓ Add the question to your plan before writing.
The task asks you to ask a question.
✗ Spend all your time writing.
✓ Plan for 2 minutes, write for 8, and check for 2.
A short check can help you find missing points.
Plan it, then check it
Plan
- Read the task twice. Underline each required point.
- Write the reader and purpose in a few words.
- List the key details and questions.
- Put the notes in a clear order and choose useful phrases.
Check
- Did I include every point in the task?
- Can the reader understand my message?
- Did I use a suitable greeting and closing?
- Did I turn my keywords into complete sentences?
- Did I check spelling, capital letters and punctuation?
Practice
Choose the best plan
Choose one answer for each question.
1.What should you decide first?
The reader and purpose help you choose the right information.
2.The task asks you to accept an invitation and ask about the time. Which plan is best?
This plan includes both required points.
3.Why should you read the task twice?
A second reading helps you find missing details.
4.Which plan is complete for this task: say yes, offer food, and ask about the time?
The first plan includes all three required points.
5.What should you write in a short plan?
Keywords save time and help you organise your ideas.
6.You have 12 minutes for a short text. Which time plan fits this lesson?
This plan gives time for planning, writing and checking.
Match the task points
Match each task point with the correct plan note.
1.Say yes to the invitation
2.Tell your friend what food you can bring
3.Ask when the party starts
4.Tell the reader where to meet
5.Tell the reader which day you can come
Check your planning skills
Read each statement. Choose true or false.
1.You should read the task before making a plan.
The task tells you what your text must include.
2.A plan must contain every sentence you will write.
A plan can use short keywords.
3.You should think about your reader before writing.
Your reader helps you choose suitable words.
4.It is fine to leave out a point from the task.
Your text must include all required points.
5.A good plan puts ideas in a clear order.
A clear order helps the reader follow your message.
6.You should use all your time to write and never check.
A short check helps you find mistakes and missing details.
Complete the planning notes
Write the missing word or words in each gap.
1.Before writing, read the task .
Two readings help you find all the required points.
2.First, decide who will your text.
Knowing your reader helps you choose suitable words.
3.Write keywords, not full .
Short notes make planning quicker.
4.Put your ideas in a clear .
A clear order makes your text easier to follow.
5.Plan for 2 minutes, write for 8, and check for minutes.
The full time plan gives you 12 minutes.
6.Before writing, choose three or four useful .
Useful phrases help you start writing more easily.
Now write
Your task
Read this task: Your friend asks you to help with a party on Saturday. Write an email: say yes, say what you can do, ask one question. First, write a plan with keywords. Then write your email.
Word bank
HiSaturdaypartyhelpfooddrinksmusicchairsbringprepareWhat timeWhereThanksSee youBest wishes
Sentence starters
- Hi ...
- Thanks for ...
- I'd love to ...
- I can help with ...
- What time ...?
- See you ...