IGCSE English as a Second Language
How to write the Exercise 5 email
An email of 120 to 160 words to a friend or relative, answering three short prompts. It is worth 15 marks, a quarter of the paper.
| Length | 120 to 160 words |
|---|---|
| Marks | 15: content 6, language 9 |
| Register | Informal, to someone you know well |
What makes a strong email
- A paragraph for each of the three prompts, each with a reason, an example or a detail
- A friendly greeting and sign-off, and phrases you would really use with that person
- Linking words that join your ideas, such as because, so, although and as well as
- A range of tenses and structures used accurately, not only simple sentences
Common ways to lose marks
- Missing or rushing one of the prompts
- Sounding like a formal letter to a friend
- Writing far more than 160 words and running out of time for Exercise 6
Next step
What happens if I write more than 160 words?
Stay close to 120 to 160 words. A much longer answer usually repeats itself and takes time you need for Exercise 6 and for checking.