PET for
Schools
Writing Guide
Part 1- Email
• In part 1 of the writing exam, you have to write a reply to an email you have received. You must answer this
question.
• The email has notes which indicate what your answer must contain. You must use all the notes
• The themes of email are familiar, for example sports, hobbies, television, or an event at school.
• Write about 100 words.
• You have 45 minutes for the entire writing exam. Use half that time to write the email.
Read the exam question on the left. Pay
attention to the notes on each side. Then
read the example answer. Does the boy
include all the notes?
Hi Sandy,
Thanks a lot for writing back. I’m also really excited about visiting you!
On my first evening, I’d like to relax at home. I will probably be very tired from the trip, so I need to rest and get ready for
the other days. Is that okay?
As for climbing, I’m afraid I can’t. I forgot to tell you, but I hurt my knee last week, so I can’t do sport now.
How about visiting some art galleries in your town? If you want, we could go. You know I love art!
Well, I have to go now, but please let me know what you think.
Take care,
Luis.
Part 1- How to structure an email
Greetings
We say “hi” or “hello” to the person (don’t forget to put their name!)
Opening paragraph
We react to the other person’s news and ask them how they are feeling.
Main paragraph 1
In this paragraph we deal with the first important point, which we can identify in the instructions.
Main paragraph 2
In this paragraph we deal with the second important point, which we can identify in the instructions.
Main paragraph 3
In this paragraph we deal with the third important point, which we can identify in the instructions.
Closing paragraph
In this paragraph we start to say goodbye by wishing the other person well and asking them to reply to your email.
Goodbye
We use a short expression to say goodbye.
Signature
We sign the email with our name.
Greeting
Opening
paragraph
Main paragraph
1
Main paragraph
2
Main paragraph
3
Closing
paragraph
Goodbye
Signature
Useful expressions
Greetings Suggesting Connectors:
• Hi John, • Why don’t we…? Reason
• Hello John, • How about…? • Because (of)
• Dear John, • What about…? • As
• Shall we…? • Since
Opening paragraph • Let’s…,
• It’s great to hear from you. • Let’s…, shall we? Result
• I’m glad to hear your • It could be a good idea • So
news. to… • Therefore
• Thanks a lot for writing!
• It was good to receive your Arranging meetings Purpose
email. • Let’s meet at… • To
• I’ll see you … at …, okay? • In order to
Ask your friend or relative how • Is it okay if we meet at…?
they are feeling Connecting similar ideas
• Hope you are doing well. Offering • Furthermore
• How’s it going? • Shall I…? • Also
• How are you doing? • Can I help you with…? • In addition
• How are things? • I’ll …. , if you want. • Too
• Let me know if you need
Introducing paragraphs: any help with… Contrast connectors
• Well, first things first • But
• One more thing, Apologising • Although
• As for… • I’m really sorry about… • In contrast
• Oh, by the way, • I’m sorry that I… • However
• Please, forgive me! • Despite
Accepting (Saying yes) • In spite of
• Of course I’ll go (to…). Ending the email or letter:
• I’m more than happy to… • Well, I have to go now. Synonyms of bad
• I’m glad to… • Anyway, I should get • Awful
• Great! I’d really like to… going. • Dreadful
• Make sure you write soon • Terrible
Refusing (Saying no) • Look after yourself. • Rubbish
• I’m sorry, but I can’t…
• Sorry, but it’s impossible for Closing the email or letter:
me to… • All my love, Synonyms of good
• I’d like to, but I can’t… • Lots of love, • Brilliant
• All the best, • Wonderful
Giving advice • Take care, • Fantastic
• Why don’t you… • Excellent
• How about…
• It might be an idea to…
• You could always…
Part 1- Article
• In part 2 of the writing exam, you can choose to write an article.
• The article is about something you enjoy, for example films or books. It may also be about a special
experience you had.
• Make an interesting title to get your reader’s attention.
• Write about 100 words.
• You have 45 minutes for the entire writing exam. Use half that time to write the article.
Read the exam question below. What are
the three points you must write about?
Then read the article that an exam student
wrote.
Thrillers are the best! Title
Watching films is one of my favourite hobbies. I try
to watch a film or two every week. However,
although I watch many films, I don’t like all types of
movies. My favourite ones are thrillers. Introduction
I love thrillers because the plot is usually awesome
and you can never predict the ending. Also, I think
thriller actors and directors normally do a very good
job! Main
paragraphs
The best place to watch a good movie is at the
cinema. The screen is huge, the seats are
comfortable and you can have popcorn! That’s why
I try to go to the cinema every weekend!
What about you? Do you like thrillers? What type of
movies do you enjoy? Conclusion
Part 1- How to structure an article
Title
Make the title attractive and interesting to get the attention of the reader.
Main paragraph 1 : Introduction
Introduce the general topic and try to make the reader want to read more.
You can begin with a question or a general opinion.
Main paragraphs
Start a new paragraph for each main point.
This means you may have 2 or 3 main paragraphs.
‣ Main paragraph 1
‣ In this paragraph we deal with the first important point, which we can identify in the instructions. (What kind of
films do you enjoy?)
‣ Main paragraph 2
‣ In this paragraph we deal with the second important point. (Do you prefer watching them at the cinema or at
home. Why?)
Conclusion
You should end your article with a nice final sentence. It can be a little bit funny or surprising, but you can also just
summarise your article. You can also speak directly to the reader.
Remember, the more interesting your article is, the better it is for your marks!
Expressions to use in an article
Involving the reader Connectors: Interesting
• Have you ever…? Reason • Fascinating
• Do you ever wonder…? • Because (of) • Captivating
• What do you think about…? • As
• A re y o u o n e o f t h o s e • Since I like
people who…? • I love
• If the answer is yes/no, you Different ways to say: • My favourite… is…
should… • … is the best…
Good • I’m a big fan of…
Introducing new ideas
• Great I prefer
• To begin with, … • Fantastic • …is better than…
• The coolest thing about… is… • Excellent • …isn’t as good as…
• Another thing to consider is… • Brilliant • …is much [comparative
• As for… • Awesome adjective] than …
• Secondly, …
• In addition, … Bad I don’t like
• I hate…
To conclude • Terrible • The worst thing is…
• In conclusion, • Awful • I’m not a fan of…
• To sum up, • Rubbish • I’m not keen on…
• Dreadful
Part 2- Story
• In part 2 of the writing exam, you can choose to write a story.
• The email has notes which indicate what your answer must contain. You must use all the notes.
• The question may include the title of the story, or the first or last sentence of the story. You must follow
these instructions.
• Write about 100 words.
• Include a title
• You have 45 minutes for the entire writing exam. Use half that time to write the story
Read the exam question on the left.
Then read the story that an exam
student wrote.
How to structure a story
A story can be divided into the following parts:
Title
The title should either summarise the whole story (without spoilers!) or have something to do with the main theme.
Beginning:
This is where the characters and setting are established.
It introduces the next part (the action or problem of the story.)
Action
In this part, the characters deal with conflict and do things to solve it.
Resolution
This is where the conflict is resolved and the story concludes with an ending, normally without any loose ends.
Expressions to use in
your story
How to begin a story Creating suspense People’s feelings
When you start a story, if the first • Suddenly • Enthusiastic
sentence isn’t given to you, you • All of a sudden • Nervous
can use phrases like these: • Without warning • Optimistic
• It all began… • Just at that moment • Puzzled
• When I first… • Unexpectedly • Relieved
• At the beginning… • Determined
• It was a hot/cold summer/
winter day. Alternatives to Adverbs
The verb “say”
Time phrases • Fortunately
• Shout • Luckily
• After that Whisper • Thankfully
•
A little later • Unfortunately
• • Exclaim
____ minutes later • Sadly
• • Ask
Later (that morning/ • Unexpectedly
• • Suggest
afternoon/day/night…) Warn
•
• As soon as Interesting
• Offer
• Just then
• Promise
• Finally • Fascinating
• In the end • Captivating
