MUET Writing : How to Tackle Email

Writing Question
How to respond to an email? This is the challenge that is faced by the students. Should you
write by just responding to the questions given in the task? Or…. Should you write more than
what is required? What do you think?

Given the stipulation of writing at least 100 words, what can we write? Or, what do we want
to write?

What can we do first?

Well, for the foundation, let’s set the 3 steps in mind…

Step 1: Get to understand the task.

How? Analyse the email (stimulus) and identify the following: -

 a. Identify the keyword(s) in the question / instruction.

 b. Who sent the email?
 c. To whom it is sent or written to?
 d. What is the email really about?

Formal or casual language?

When you have identified a, b, c & d then you will know the type of language you need to
respond to and the kind of sentences to construct. Formal language, used officially by e.g
managers, bankers, CEO etc. While casual language (informal) used informally between
friends, family members or some scammers (who act as your friend… DANG!!)

In short, the keywords and the language in the stimulus will specify which register the
students ought to use when replying the email later.
This is the example of the email question.

Your colleague, Rita, was absent from work because she had to attend her sister’s
wedding. Read the email from her asking about the Innovative Writing Convention that
she missed.

Using all the notes given, write a reply of at least 100 words in an appropriate style.

Step 2: Use all the notes / keywords / details in the email in

your reply.
So, let’s read the instruction(s) and the email to identify which notes / keywords to use for
responding the email later. Underline them. (Observe the underlined sentences in each of the
paragraphs)

Your colleague, Rita, was absent from work because she had to attend her sister’s
wedding. Read the email from her asking about the Innovative Writing Convention that
she missed.

What are we supposed to do NEXT?

Maybe this will help you to understand on how to write.

o After identifying the notes or key ideas, observe the possible response (refer
no 1, 2, 3 & 4).
“Using all the notes given, write a reply of at least 100 words in an appropriate style.”
Based on the above, what you could do: -

 Write a proper salutation i.e Hi John / Hello buddy

 Identify the “notes” first. This is something I would say, “underline the
key ideas in the instructions and in each paragraph”.
 Based on the notes that you have underlined, write a response for each
paragraph. In doing so, you need to write a proper response.
Remember! Whatever keywords in the instruction, should be
adequately mentioned and elaborate in the designated paragraph.
 When writing your response, please “AGREE” to the questions asked.
For example, point no 2, Did you join………? You should reply “Yes”
and then elaborate. Same goes with point no 3, Was it interesting? You
should say “Yes” or any other related word to Yes. Then elaborate.
 You can use informal or casual language style to give your response,
since this is an email.

STEP 3: Write the response

As always, when we are set to write the response, we should write in paragraphs. We could
refer to the each of the notes above to write each of the paragraphs.

Sample responses

Note 1 (for paragraph 1)

The convention was indeed a great one! A lot of people attended the convention and they
loved it. Many of our friends and their families were there too.

Note 2 (for paragraph 2)

Yes, the activities at the convention was interesting even though I was expecting rather new
ideas from the presenter. Nonetheless, a few participants were chosen to give a highlight on
the topic for a particular session and it was amazing to see the outcome. Our officemate, Mr
Zooki, was in the limelight at that time. He even mentioned some quotes in British accent
which to me is rather funny since he is the serious type in the office.

Note 3 (for paragraph 3)

Well, the talk was interesting and, one of the main ideas in the writing activities as well. I
would say, we had different perspective about property investment though it was not part of
the main purpose of this convention. But, surprisingly, his ideas on how to use other people’s
money and increase your asset is worth to try for people like us.
Note 4 (for paragraph 4)

Yes, I would love to join you to another convention set. Let me check my schedules first
because I have tonnes of paperwork nearing to that occasion. I need to re-organize the
workload and I will let you know as soon as possible.

So, the email would look like this.

Ok, I think that is all. For now, maybe you could observe the following tips: -

1.
1. If the sender asks for the details about a previous event, your reply or response
should have a precise information of the event mentioned in the email. For e.g,
the venue, date, the organizer, the details of the event etc)
2. If you are to describe the event, use relevant adjectives. Perhaps you could
describe sensory details as well like what you’ve heard, seen, touched etc.
3. Use relevant expression for some of the paragraphs like to express a
preference, to express a reaction, to express disagreement, to decline, etc.
4. Try be in an “advance mode” by elaborating some of your main points just to
provide more detailed information.

Ok. Goodluck and Adieu……

Oh BTW. If you need more samples and exercises, you may get this handy book by clicking
the image below.

Eh Wait!!! I have something about MUET Reading, if you are up for it. Check out this Video.
Hope it helps as well.

Riddle

I am an English word with five letters. If you

remove my last four, I am still pronounced
the same. What am I?