CELPIP Writing an Email Template (W1)

What raters reward

Raters score Content & Coherence (every required point covered and logically ordered), Vocabulary (range and precision), Readability (grammar, sentence variety, punctuation, and a tone that fits the reader), and Task Fulfillment (right purpose, register, and length). The biggest lever is developing each required point with a real detail instead of a single bare line.

Your time plan

0–3 min — Plan — Decide the register (formal for a stranger/official, warm for a friend). Turn each bullet into one idea + one supporting detail so you never stall mid-email.

3–23 min — Draft — One short paragraph per required point. Open with your purpose, develop each point, then make the request. Vary sentence length — pair a short sentence with a longer complex one.

23–27 min — Proofread — Check verb tense, subject–verb agreement, articles (a/the), and plurals. Confirm every bullet is answered and you're inside 150–200 words.

How to structure it

Fill the [slots] with your own ideas — adapt the frames, don't recite them.

1. Greeting — Open with a salutation that matches how well you know the reader.

2. Purpose (opening line) — State who you are (if needed) and exactly why you're writing.

3. Body — one paragraph per required point — Cover each bullet, each with a reason, example, or consequence.

4. Request / next step — Say clearly what you want to happen and by when.

5. Sign-off — Close politely, matching the greeting's formality.

1 Greeting 1 line

The greeting silently signals your register to the rater — see the matched greeting/sign-off pairs below.

Grammar Salutation + comma

Phrases to adapt

Dear Mr./Ms. [last name],
Dear Sir or Madam,
Hi [first name],

2 Purpose (opening line) ~20–30 words

Name the situation in the first sentence so the point lands immediately — don't bury it after small talk.

Grammar Present perfect for background: 'I have been a … for …'

Phrases to adapt

My name is [name], and I have been a [tenant / customer / member] for [duration].
I am writing to [request / report / suggest / apologize for] [the matter].
I hope you're well — I'm reaching out about [topic].

3 Body — one paragraph per required point ~90–120 words total

Give every bullet its own short paragraph and signpost the move between them. Develop the idea — 'the heat has been off for five days and the apartment drops below 15°C at night' beats 'the heat is broken'.

Grammar Past simple + complex sentences (because, which, although)

Phrases to adapt

To start with, [what happened], which [why it matters].
On [date], I [noticed / experienced] [specific detail].
Furthermore, [a second supporting detail or consequence].

4 Request / next step ~20 words

Make the action concrete and, where it fits, time-bound — this lifts Task Fulfillment because the email actually does its job.

Grammar Modals of request (could, would) + a deadline

Phrases to adapt

Could you please [action] by [date]?
I would be grateful if you could [action].
Please let me know whether [the resolution] is possible.

5 Sign-off 1 line

Use a closing that mirrors the opening register, then your name.

Grammar Closing phrase + name

Phrases to adapt

Sincerely, [name]
Best regards, [name]
Thanks again, [name]

Match your greeting & sign-off

Situation	Greeting	Sign-off
Formal · name unknown	Dear Sir or Madam,	Yours faithfully,
Formal · name known	Dear Mr./Ms. [last name],	Sincerely,
Workplace / semi-formal	Dear [first name], / Hello [first name],	Best regards,
Friend / informal	Hi [first name],	Take care, / Cheers,

Openers & closers by email purpose

Most prompts are one of these five. Adapt the matching opener and closer.

Complaint

Open: I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with [issue].
Close: I trust this will be resolved promptly.

Request

Open: I am writing to request [service / information] regarding [topic].
Close: I look forward to your reply.

Suggestion

Open: I am writing to suggest [idea], which I believe would benefit [group].
Close: I hope you'll consider this proposal.

Apology

Open: I am writing to sincerely apologize for [what happened].
Close: Again, I'm sorry for any inconvenience this caused.

Report / notify

Open: I am writing to inform you of [event] that occurred on [date].
Close: Please let me know if you need further details.

Useful vocabulary

Vocabulary is one of the four scored dimensions — weave a few in (don't force all of them).

Signposting connectors

First and foremostIn additionFurthermoreWith regard toAs forFinally

Formal/polite verbs

requestenquire aboutconfirmarrangeapologize forappreciate

Precise upgrades (drop bland words)

frustrated / disappointedpromptunacceptablemalfunctioninginconvenienturgent

Closings

I look forward to your replyThank you for your understandingPlease don't hesitate to contact me

Common mistakes to avoid

Missing or under-developing one of the three required points — this caps Task Fulfillment hard.
One-line answers with no reason, example, or consequence.
Register mismatch — too casual to an official, or stiff and cold to a friend.
Copying phrases straight from the prompt instead of paraphrasing.
No paragraphing — a single block hides whether each point was covered.
Running well under 150 or over 200 words.

Quick tips

Match tone to the reader and keep it consistent from greeting to sign-off.
Signpost between points (First, … In addition, … Finally, …) so coverage is obvious.
Swap repeated words for precise ones (frustrated not bad; malfunctioning not broken).
Always reserve ~3 minutes to proofread — small grammar fixes move the Readability score.

Put it into practice

Try Writing an Email with this template

Start practice Next template Responding to Survey Questions (W2)