PSLE Situational Writing 4: Reading Programme
A formal email to an adult you have not met. You do know his name, which decides how you close it, and part of the job is asking good questions.
The situation
Marcus and a friend stop at a notice stand on the children's level of the library.
Visual source: the notice holds the facts. The pupils show you the one thing it does not answer.
Text version of the notice
Holiday Reading Programme
Read six books and claim your badge.
- Saturday 22 November to Saturday 27 December
- Riverside Public Library, Children's Level
- Open to pupils aged 7 to 12
- Collect a reading card from the counter
- Return the completed card by 3 January
Books must be borrowed from this library. A librarian signs the card after each book.
The two pupils are saying:
- "Six books in five weeks. I have read four already this month."
- "Ask the librarian first. It does not say what happens if you finish early."
Your task
Imagine you are Marcus. Write an email to Mr Devan, the librarian in charge of the programme, saying that you would like to join and asking two questions the notice does not answer.
Your email must include:
- which programme you are writing about, and when it runs
- that you would like to join, and that you are eligible
- two questions the notice does not answer
- when you can come to collect your reading card
- a polite close that asks for a reply
Check your plan
Which question is worth asking Mr Devan?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: (C) If I finish the six books before 27 December, may I start a second card?
The correct answer is (C). The notice sets the six books and the closing date, but it never says what happens to a pupil who finishes early, so this is a real gap. (A), (B) and (D) are all answered on the notice: it gives the dates, it says to collect a card from the counter, and it says six books. Asking something the notice already answers wastes one of your two questions.
Why is it worth saying how old you are?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: (B) The programme is open to pupils aged 7 to 12, so it shows you may join.
The correct answer is (B). The notice sets an age range, so stating your age answers the condition before he has to ask. (A) is never a reason to write anything. (C) is not on the notice. (D) is not true, and in any case the reason is not what adults expect, it is that the notice makes age a rule.
Write your email
✍️ Your turn
Write Marcus's email to Mr Devan. Cover all five points in the list above. Keep it formal, and make sure both your questions are things the notice genuinely does not answer.
The model
Open the model email
To: [email protected] Subject: Joining the Holiday Reading Programme
Dear Mr Devan,
I am writing about the Holiday Reading Programme at Riverside Public Library, which runs from Saturday 22 November to Saturday 27 December. I would like to join it. I am twelve, so I am within the age range of 7 to 12 given on the notice.
I have two questions before I start. First, if I finish the six books before 27 December, may I start a second card? Second, if a librarian is not free to sign my card on the day I finish a book, may I bring it back another day to be signed?
I can come to the counter to collect a reading card on Saturday 22 November, in the morning.
I would be grateful if you could reply when you have a moment. Thank you for organising the programme.
Yours sincerely, Marcus Lee
Why this scores
| What the model does | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Names the programme and the library in the first line | Mr Devan runs more than one thing |
| States his age against the range on the notice | Answers the eligibility rule before being asked |
| Asks two questions the notice does not answer | Both are genuine gaps |
| Gives a day and a time to collect the card | A required point, and it makes a reply easy |
| Thanks him for organising it | Polite without being flowery |
The trap on this task is asking something the notice already answers. Read it twice, and check each question against it, before you write.
Back to PSLE situational writing · Next: Practice 5: Bicycle Racks