Situational Writing

Key Concepts

Situational Writing tests whether you can write for a specific purpose, audience and context. You must use the correct format, include every required content point, and write in a suitable tone.

Situational Writing is worth 14 marks in the 2026 PSLE (Paper 1, which runs 1 hour 10 minutes and is worth 50 marks in total).

1. Understand the task before writing

Read the question carefully and identify:

• Who you are writing to
• Why you are writing
• What format you must use
• What information must be included
• Whether the tone should be formal or informal

You must answer all bullet points in the task. Missing even one content point lowers your task fulfilment marks.

2. Audience and purpose

Your language must match your reader.

Formal register

Use formal language when writing to:

• a principal
• a teacher
• a school leader
• an organisation
• the public in a report or notice

Formal writing rules:

• Use polite, respectful language.
• Do not use slang, emojis or short forms.
• Use full sentences.
• Be clear and organised.
• Use precise words.

Examples:

• “I am writing to request permission to…”
• “Thank you for considering my suggestion.”
• “Please let me know if further information is required.”

Informal register

Use informal language when writing to:

• a friend
• a cousin
• a sibling
• someone you know well

Informal writing rules:

• The tone can be warm and friendly.
• Contractions are acceptable: “I’m”, “you’ll”, “we’re”.
• The writing must still be clear and grammatically correct.
• Do not become too casual. Avoid texting language.

Examples:

• “I’m so excited to tell you about…”
• “You should definitely join us.”
• “Write back soon.”

3. Format conventions

You must follow the correct format exactly.

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A. Email

Emails are commonly tested in PSLE. They may be formal or informal.

Parts of an email

1. From: sender’s email address
2. To: recipient’s email address
3. Date: the date of writing
4. Subject: the purpose of the email in a short phrase
5. Salutation: greeting
6. Body: main message
7. Closing / sign-off: ending phrase and sender’s name

Example layout

From: [email address]
To: [email address]
Date: [day, date]
Subject: [clear topic]

Dear ... / Hi ... ,

[Paragraph 1]
[Paragraph 2]
[Paragraph 3]

Yours sincerely / Best wishes,
[Name]

Formal email

Use:

• Dear Mrs Tan,
• Dear Principal,
• Yours sincerely, if the recipient is named
• Yours faithfully, if the recipient is not named and you are writing to a position, such as “Dear Principal”

Formal subject lines:

• Request for Permission to Hold a Recycling Drive
• Feedback on the School Library
• Suggestion for Improving the Canteen

Informal email

Use:

• Hi Ben,
• Dear Aisha,
• Best wishes,
• Yours lovingly,
• See you soon,

Informal subject lines:

• Our Class Carnival
• Come to My Birthday Party
• Great News About the School Trip

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B. Informal letter

An informal letter is written to someone you know personally.

Parts of an informal letter

1. Writer’s address
2. Date
3. Salutation
4. Body paragraphs
5. Closing
6. Signature / name

Example layout

Blk 123 Tampines Street 11
#05-67
Singapore 521123

15 July 2025

Dear Sarah,

[Paragraph 1]
[Paragraph 2]
[Paragraph 3]

Best wishes,
Amir

Rules

• Do not use your real address in an exam if one is not required; use the details given.
• Keep the tone friendly but organised.
• Separate ideas into paragraphs.

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C. Report

A report presents information clearly and formally. It is usually written for a teacher, principal or school committee.

Purpose of a report

A report may:

• describe an event
• explain a problem
• present findings
• suggest improvements
• summarise what happened

Parts of a report

1. Title
2. Introduction
3. Body with clear points
4. Conclusion and recommendations if needed
5. Name / designation if required by the task

Example layout

Report on the Clean-Up Campaign

Introduction
The Primary 6 pupils conducted a clean-up campaign in the school on 10 July 2025.

Main Findings
First, ...

Second, ...

Conclusion
The campaign was successful because ...

Reported by:
[Name]
Class Chairperson

Rules for reports

• Use a formal tone.
• Be factual and clear.
• Avoid chatting to the reader.
• Present points in a logical order.
• Use headings if appropriate.

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D. Notice

A notice gives important information in a short, clear format. It is often written for a school event.

Purpose of a notice

A notice informs readers about:

• what the event is
• when it will happen
• where it will take place
• who should attend
• what they need to bring or do
• who to contact

Parts of a notice

1. Organisation / school name if required
2. Title
3. Important details
4. Contact person / organiser

Example layout

Greenwood Primary School

NOTICE
Recycling Day

Date: Friday, 18 July 2025
Time: 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Venue: School Hall

All Primary 5 and Primary 6 pupils are invited to take part.
Please bring at least three recyclable items.

For enquiries, please contact Ms Lim.

Environmental Club

Rules for notices

• Be brief but complete.
• Use short, clear sentences.
• Make key details easy to find.
• Do not write long story-like paragraphs.

4. Organisation

Good organisation helps the reader follow your writing easily.

Organise your ideas into paragraphs

A strong Situational Writing response usually has:

• Opening: state purpose clearly
• Middle: cover the bullet points one by one
• Ending: polite closing, action needed, thanks, or hope

Useful sequence words

• First
• Next
• In addition
• Finally
• As a result
• Therefore

Best method

Turn each bullet point in the task into:

• one sentence, or
• one short paragraph

This ensures you do not miss content.

5. Content points: address every bullet point

Each bullet point in the task is there for a reason. You must include all of them clearly.

If the task asks you to write about:

• the reason for the event
• the activities planned
• what help is needed
• how people can respond

then your writing must include all four.

Do not:

• merge points so unclearly that one is missing
• spend too long on one bullet point and forget another
• add irrelevant details that waste time

6. Language marks

The 5 language marks are awarded for accurate, effective English.

You must:

• use correct grammar
• spell words accurately
• punctuate correctly
• choose words suitable for the audience
• write complete sentences
• vary sentence openings and structures

Strong language features

• correct tenses
• correct subject-verb agreement
• clear pronoun reference
• suitable vocabulary
• polite expressions in formal writing
• smooth linking words

7. Common formats tested

You must be ready for these (all formats are based on a visual prompt):

Email to a friend

• informal tone
• friendly opening
• clear response to all bullet points
• suitable sign-off such as Best wishes

Email to a principal or teacher

• formal tone
• clear purpose in first sentence
• respectful wording
• suitable sign-off such as Yours sincerely

Notice for a school event

• direct and brief
• key details easy to scan
• no unnecessary storytelling

Report

• factual and organised
• formal tone
• clear findings or recommendations

Speech

• formal or semi-formal depending on context
• address the audience directly at the start: “Good morning, teachers and fellow pupils…”
• use signposting language: “First…”, “Next…”, “In conclusion…”
• rhetorical questions and persuasive language are appropriate
• end with a clear call to action or conclusion: “I hope all of you will…”
• no sign-off needed; close with a thank-you or a memorable final sentence

8. Sample opening and closing phrases for each format

Email to a friend

Openings

• Hi Ryan,
  I’m writing to tell you about the exciting event our class is organising.
• Dear Mei,
  Thank you for your email. I’d love to share the details with you.
• Hi Sara,
  You’ll be glad to know that our school is planning a fun activity next week.

Closings

• I hope you can join us.
• Write back soon and let me know what you think.
• Best wishes,
  Alicia

Email to a principal or teacher

Openings

• Dear Mrs Lee,
  I am writing to request permission to organise a reading corner for the pupils.
• Dear Principal,
  I am writing to inform you about our class’s proposed charity project.
• Dear Mr Tan,
  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our suggestions.

Closings

• Thank you for your time and consideration.
• I look forward to your reply.
• Yours sincerely,
  Nurul

Informal letter

Openings

• Dear Emma,
  How have you been? I’m excited to tell you about our school event.
• Dear Cousin Ali,
  It was great hearing from you. Here are the details you asked for.
• Dear Ben,
  I hope you are well. I have some good news to share.

Closings

• Do write back soon.
• I can’t wait to hear from you.
• Best wishes,
  Haziq

Report

Openings

• This report is about the class fundraising event held on 5 August 2025.
• The purpose of this report is to describe the problems faced during the event.
• This report summarises the activities and outcomes of the camp.

Closings

• In conclusion, the event was successful and beneficial to the pupils.
• It is recommended that more volunteers be assigned next time.
• Reported by:
  Siti
  Primary 6 Responsibility Monitor

Notice

Openings / titles

• NOTICE
• Book Donation Drive
• Sports Day Volunteers Needed

Closings

• For more information, please contact Ms Wong.
• Thank you for your support.
• Organised by the Prefectorial Board

Speech

Openings

• Good morning, teachers and fellow pupils. Today, I would like to share with you…
• Good afternoon, everyone. I am honoured to speak about…
• Thank you for this opportunity to speak. My topic today is…

Closings

• I hope that all of you will take a moment to consider this important issue. Thank you.
• In conclusion, I urge each of you to play your part. Together, we can make a difference. Thank you.
• Let us all commit to this cause. I believe that with our combined effort, we can achieve great things. Thank you.

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Important Definitions

• Audience: the person or group you are writing to.
• Purpose: the reason for writing, such as informing, requesting, inviting or reporting.
• Register: the level of formality in your language.
• Formal register: polite, respectful and professional language used when writing to teachers, principals or organisations.
• Informal register: friendly language used when writing to people you know well.
• Task fulfilment: how well you address all the bullet points and the purpose of the task. Situational Writing is marked on task fulfilment and language as a combined total of 14 marks in the 2026 PSLE.
• Language: the accuracy and effectiveness of grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Assessed as part of the 14-mark total for Situational Writing.
• Organisation: the clear arrangement of ideas so the writing is easy to follow.
• Salutation: the greeting at the start, such as “Dear Mrs Lim,” or “Hi Tom,”.
• Sign-off: the ending phrase before your name, such as “Yours sincerely,” or “Best wishes,”.
• Subject line: the line in an email that tells the reader the topic of the message.
• Content points: the required pieces of information listed in the task bullets.
• Tone: the feeling created by the writing, such as polite, serious, friendly or enthusiastic.
• Paragraph: a group of sentences about one main idea.
• Report: a formal piece of writing that presents facts, findings or recommendations clearly.
• Notice: a short written announcement that gives important information.
• Subject-verb agreement: the rule that a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.
• Tense: the form of the verb that shows time, such as past, present or future.
• Pronoun reference: the clear use of pronouns such as “he”, “she”, “it” and “they” so the reader knows who or what is meant.
• Contractions: shortened forms such as “I’m” and “we’re”. They are suitable in informal writing but should usually be avoided in formal writing.
• Bullet point: a listed instruction in the task that tells you what content must be included.

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Worked Examples

Worked Example 1: Informal email to a friend

Task type

Email to a friend

Suppose the task asks you to include:

• why you are excited about the event
• what activities will take place
• what your friend should bring
• why you want your friend to attend

Step 1: Identify audience and tone

• Audience: friend
• Tone: informal and friendly
• Format: email

Step 2: Plan content

1. Excited because the event is fun and meaningful
2. Activities: games, food stalls, talent show
3. Bring water bottle and some money
4. Want friend to attend so you can enjoy it together

Step 3: Write the answer

From: amir.ali@example.com
To: daniel.ng@example.com
Date: 12 July 2025
Subject: Our School Funfair

Hi Daniel,

I’m really excited about our school funfair next Saturday because it will be the biggest event our class has organised this year. We have all been working hard to prepare for it, so I can’t wait to see everything come together.

There will be many fun activities for everyone. Besides game booths, there will also be food stalls, a lucky draw and a talent show in the school hall. My class is in charge of a ring toss game, and I think it will be a lot of fun.

If you come, please bring a water bottle and some money so that you can buy snacks and try the games. You should also wear comfortable clothes because there will be outdoor activities.

I really want you to attend because we have not spent much time together lately. It would be great to enjoy the funfair with you, and I’m sure you will have a wonderful time.

Write back soon and tell me if you can make it.

Best wishes,
Amir

Why this scores well

• Correct email format
• Friendly tone suitable for a friend
• All 4 content points included
• Clear paragraphs
• Accurate grammar and punctuation

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Worked Example 2: Formal email to a principal

Task type

Email to a principal

Suppose the task asks you to include:

• the purpose of the event
• the date and venue
• the help needed from the school
• how the event will benefit pupils

Step 1: Identify audience and tone

• Audience: principal
• Tone: formal, respectful
• Format: email

Step 2: Plan content

1. Purpose: charity book donation drive
2. Date and venue: 20 August, school hall
3. Help needed: permission, tables, announcement
4. Benefit: teaches kindness and sharing

Step 3: Write the answer

From: p6charitygroup@example.com
To: principal@greenwoodpri.edu.sg
Date: 2 August 2025
Subject: Request to Organise a Book Donation Drive

Dear Principal,

I am writing to request permission to organise a Book Donation Drive for needy children. The purpose of this event is to collect storybooks and assessment books that are still in good condition and donate them to a children’s charity.

We would like to hold the event on बुधवार, 20 August 2025, in the school hall. Pupils will be encouraged to bring suitable books from home and place them at the collection area during recess.

We would be grateful if the school could allow us to use the hall, provide several tables for the donated books and make an announcement during assembly. This would help us inform all pupils about the event and ensure that it runs smoothly.

This event will benefit pupils because it will teach them the importance of kindness, generosity and social responsibility. It will also encourage them to appreciate what they have and help others in a meaningful way.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,
Nadia

Step 4: Spot and fix a problem

The date line inside the email body contains a non-English word: “बुधवार”. In PSLE English, you must use English only.

Corrected version

From: p6charitygroup@example.com
To: principal@greenwoodpri.edu.sg
Date: 2 August 2025
Subject: Request to Organise a Book Donation Drive

Dear Principal,

I am writing to request permission to organise a Book Donation Drive for needy children. The purpose of this event is to collect storybooks and assessment books that are still in good condition and donate them to a children’s charity.

We would like to hold the event on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, in the school hall. Pupils will be encouraged to bring suitable books from home and place them at the collection area during recess.

We would be grateful if the school could allow us to use the hall, provide several tables for the donated books and make an announcement during assembly. This would help us inform all pupils about the event and ensure that it runs smoothly.

This event will benefit pupils because it will teach them the importance of kindness, generosity and social responsibility. It will also encourage them to appreciate what they have and help others in a meaningful way.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,
Nadia

Why this scores well

• Formal greeting and sign-off
• Purpose stated immediately
• All bullet points answered clearly
• Respectful language throughout
• Strong organisation

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Worked Example 3: Notice for a school event

Task type

Notice

Suppose the task asks you to include:

• name of event
• date, time and venue
• who can join
• what participants need to bring

Step 1: Identify purpose

• Purpose: inform school community
• Tone: clear, direct, brief
• Format: notice

Step 2: Organise details clearly

A notice must be easy to scan.

Step 3: Write the answer

Riverside Primary School

NOTICE
Healthy Living Workshop

Date: Tuesday, 23 September 2025
Time: 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Venue: School Hall

All Primary 5 and Primary 6 pupils are welcome to join this workshop.
Participants will learn about healthy eating, exercise and good daily habits.

Please bring a notebook and a water bottle.

For enquiries, please contact Mrs Chen.

Organised by the Health Education Committee

Why this scores well

• Correct notice format
• All important details included
• Brief and easy to read
• Suitable tone for a school audience

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Worked Example 4: Report

Task type

Report

Suppose the task asks you to include:

• what happened during the event
• the problems faced
• how pupils responded
• suggestions for improvement

Step 1: Identify audience and tone

• Audience: teacher or school leader
• Tone: formal and factual
• Format: report

Step 2: Plan sections

1. Title
2. Introduction
3. Event summary
4. Problems
5. Response
6. Suggestions
7. Conclusion

Step 3: Write the answer

Report on the School Recycling Campaign

Introduction
This report describes the School Recycling Campaign held on 10 July 2025.

What Happened During the Event
The campaign took place in the school hall and involved pupils from Primary 4 to Primary 6. Collection bins were placed at different stations, and volunteers helped to sort paper, plastic and metal items. A short presentation was also given to teach pupils about the importance of recycling.

Problems Faced
One problem was that some pupils placed unsuitable items in the bins. Another problem was that the area became crowded during recess, which made it difficult for volunteers to manage the collection smoothly.

How Pupils Responded
The pupils responded positively to the campaign. Many of them brought recyclable items from home and listened attentively during the presentation. The volunteers also worked hard to guide younger pupils and keep the area tidy.

Suggestions for Improvement
More labels should be placed on the bins so that pupils know where to put each item. In addition, more volunteers should be assigned during recess to prevent overcrowding.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the campaign was successful because it increased pupils’ awareness of recycling. With better planning, the next campaign can be even more effective.

Reported by:
Farah
Primary 6 Environmental Ambassador

Why this scores well

• Formal report structure
• Every required point covered
• Clear headings improve organisation
• Suggestions are practical and linked to the problems

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

9. Missing a bullet point

✗ “I described the event and the activities.”

✓ “I described the event, the activities, what pupils should bring and how they can respond.”

Why it is wrong: Task fulfilment drops when any required content point is missing.

10. Using the wrong tone

✗ “Hey Principal, our plan is super cool and I hope you say yes!”

✓ “Dear Principal, I am writing to seek your approval for our proposed event.”

Why it is wrong: A principal requires a formal register, not casual speech.

11. Forgetting the subject line in an email

✗

From: june@example.com
To: mrlim@example.com
Date: 5 July 2025

Dear Mr Lim,

✓

From: june@example.com
To: mrlim@example.com
Date: 5 July 2025
Subject: Request for Permission to Use the Hall

Dear Mr Lim,

Why it is wrong: The subject line is part of the required email format.

12. Wrong sign-off for formal writing

✗ “Love, Ben”

✓ “Yours sincerely, Ben”
or
✓ “Yours faithfully, Ben”

Why it is wrong: Formal writing must end politely and appropriately.

13. Texting language

✗ “Pls come 2 the event ASAP.”

✓ “Please come to the event if you are available.”

Why it is wrong: Short forms and texting language are not acceptable in PSLE writing.

14. Long, unclear sentences

✗ “The event is on Friday and it is exciting and there are games and food and many pupils can come and we need help and I hope you like it.”

✓ “The event will be held on Friday. There will be games and food stalls. We hope many pupils will attend.”

Why it is wrong: Very long sentences are hard to read and often contain errors.

15. Wrong format for a notice

✗

Dear Pupils,

I am writing this letter to tell you that there will be a sports event...

✓

NOTICE
Sports Day

Date: Monday, 14 October 2025
Time: 8.00 a.m.
Venue: School Field

Why it is wrong: A notice is not written like a letter.

16. Informal contractions in very formal writing

✗ “We’re asking for your help with the campaign.”

✓ “We are asking for your help with the campaign.”

Why it is wrong: Full forms are more suitable in formal writing.

17. Subject-verb agreement errors

✗ “The pupils was excited.”

✓ “The pupils were excited.”

Why it is wrong: A plural subject must take a plural verb.

18. Tense errors

✗ “Last Friday, we organise a clean-up activity.”

✓ “Last Friday, we organised a clean-up activity.”

Why it is wrong: A past time marker requires the past tense.

19. Irrelevant details

✗ “The hall has blue curtains, ten fans, shiny tiles and three clocks.”

✓ “The event will be held in the school hall, which has enough space for all participants.”

Why it is wrong: Irrelevant details waste time and do not improve task fulfilment.

20. Weak opening

✗ “I want to write something about our event.”

✓ “I am writing to inform you about our upcoming class charity sale.”

Why it is wrong: The purpose must be stated clearly at the start.

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Exam Tips

21. Know the mark allocation exactly

Situational Writing is worth 14 marks in the 2026 PSLE. Marks are awarded for task fulfilment (addressing all bullet points and the purpose) and language (grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary).

Organisation supports both task fulfilment and language. A well-organised response makes your content clear and improves overall effectiveness.

22. Spend time wisely

A strong method is:

1. Read and underline keywords in the task
2. Identify format, audience and purpose
3. Plan one point for each bullet
4. Write clearly
5. Check for missing points and language errors

Do not rush into writing immediately.

23. Underline the bullet points mentally or physically

Before writing, check:

• Have I answered every bullet point?
• Have I used the correct format?
• Is my tone suitable?

24. Use the first sentence to state purpose

Strong openings score well because they are direct.

Examples:

• “I am writing to request permission to organise a class event.”
• “I am writing to inform you about the upcoming workshop.”
• “I’m writing to tell you about our school carnival.”

25. Use one paragraph for each content point when possible

This keeps your writing organised and prevents missing information.

26. Include key details clearly

Especially for notices and reports, include:

• date
• time
• venue
• reason
• instructions
• contact person

27. Match the sign-off to the reader

• Friend: Best wishes, See you soon
• Teacher / principal: Yours sincerely, Yours faithfully

28. Use formal keywords when writing to school authorities

Useful formal phrases:

• I am writing to…
• I would like to…
• We would be grateful if…
• Thank you for your consideration.
• I look forward to your reply.

29. Avoid over-writing

Do not turn Situational Writing into a composition. The answer should be:

• clear
• focused
• relevant
• complete

30. Check these language areas at the end

In the last minute, check:

• spelling
• capital letters
• punctuation
• tense
• subject-verb agreement
• missing words
• wrong sign-off
• missing subject line or title

31. Score by being complete, not fancy

Simple and accurate writing scores better than ambitious but error-filled writing.

32. Best checking question

Ask yourself: If the reader receives this piece of writing, will they get all the information they need clearly and politely?

If the answer is yes, your response is likely effective.

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Quick Summary

• Situational Writing is worth 14 marks in the 2026 PSLE (Paper 1 total = 50 marks, 1h10m).
• Always identify the format, audience and purpose before writing.
• Use the correct format for email, informal letter, report, notice or speech — all based on a visual prompt.
• An email must include sender, date, subject, salutation and sign-off.
• Formal writing is for principals, teachers and organisations; informal writing is for friends and family.
• Use formal register for school authorities: polite, respectful and clear.
• Answer every bullet point in the task clearly.
• Organise your writing into an opening, body paragraphs and a suitable closing.
• A notice must be brief, clear and easy to scan.
• A report must be factual, formal and logically organised.
• Avoid slang, texting language, wrong sign-offs and missing format features.
• Leave time to check spelling, punctuation, tense and subject-verb agreement.