EMAILS: Understanding the Rubric
Your email should be 120-160 words long. What happens if you write only 95 words?
You will lose points for CONTENT because your answer is under the minimum word count
Identify whether this phrase is formal or informal:
"Hey, how’s it going?"
Informal
Is this a good way to end an informal email task?
“Now I have to go, don’t forget to write back!”
Yes!
A good review starts with (1.) an Introduction to the thing being reviewed, then continues with (2.) a brief description of the thing being reviewed, and should then continue with (3.) _____ (what?) and (4.) _____ (what?)
(3.) Your opinion (whether you liked it) and
(4.) recommendation (whether you think other people should try / buy it)
Think of 2 specific vocabulary words which could help you write a BOOK REVIEW
SUGGESTIONS:
Plot
Characters
Setting
Theme
Narrative
Writing Style
Protagonist
Tone
Perspective
Symbolism
Doing ____ will make you lose points under the CONTENT section.
Not answering all of the bullet points in the prompt
Identify whether this phrase is formal or informal:
"I regret to inform you that..."
Formal
What's wrong with this email opening? (Fix it!)
"Dear Mary,
I'm writing to tell you about something that happened last week..."
There is no inquiry/asking about Mary / mention of their relationship
When writing a review of a BOOK or a MOVIE, what is one thing you should make sure NOT to do?
Don’t write the whole story, and don't give any spoilers of the plot! (this way your readers can still enjoy the book or movie when they read or watch it)
Think of 3 specific vocabulary words which could help you write a RESTAURANT REVIEW
SUGGESTIONS:
Ambiance
Flavor
Service
Presentation
Atmosphere
Portion
Freshness
Decor
Texture
Pricing
The email should be "effectively organised and sequenced". Do you need to use paragraphs or can it all be in one block of text?
YES! Use paragraphs!!
Rewrite this formal phrase using informal language:
"Please give me a moment, and I will be with you shortly."
Suggested answer: "Just a sec, I’ll be right with you."
Is this a good closing? Why / why not?
"Goodbye from your friend"
No, it sounds unnatural or awkward. If you are friends with the person, he/she already knows this!
A good REVIEW doesn't just explain why you recommend (or don't) the book / movie / product / place, but also for ______!
The group of people WHO you recommend the thing for! (Try to be as specific as possible, as in "I recommend this book for anyone feeling lonely or anyone who wants hope for the future" etc. etc.)
Think of 3 specific vocabulary words which could help you write a PRODUCT REVIEW
SUGGESTIONS:
Features
Quality
Durability
Performance
Ease of use
Design
Value
Reliability
Functionality
Warranty
Use both simple and complex sentences.
Which type of sentence is this? Simple, compound, or complex?
"She stayed up late because she had a big exam the next day."
Complex sentence – It has an independent clause 'She stayed up late' and a dependent clause 'because she had a big exam the next day.
Make this formal phrase into an informal phrase:
"Please give my kindest regards to…”
"Please say 'hi' to..."
Is this a good closing? Why / why not?
"That is all I wanted to tell you."
No - because this doesn't establish a relationship with the person. There should be some asking for a response - 'what do you think' or 'write back and tell me about...' or 'I can't wait to see you next week' etc.
Here are some ideas for a PRODUCT REVIEW. What kind of questions could you answer for a RESTAURANT REVIEW?
Product Review Outline [EXAMPLE]
Introduction: Name the product, brand, and type. Give a quick summary of your impression (e.g., useful, disappointing).
Product Features: Mention key features and what makes it unique.
Performance: How well did it work? Was it easy to use?
Value for Money: Was it worth the price?
Recommendation: Would you recommend it? To whom and why?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: Restaurant Review Outline
Introduction: Name the restaurant, location, and type of cuisine. Give a quick summary of your experience (e.g., delightful, disappointing).
Ambiance and Service: Describe the atmosphere (e.g., casual, elegant). Mention the service quality (e.g., friendly, efficient).
Food and Drinks: Briefly describe what you ordered. Mention any highlights or disappointments.
Value for Money: Was the price reasonable for the quality?
Recommendation: Would you recommend it? To whom and why?
Think of 3 specific vocabulary words which could help you write a MOVIE REVIEW
SUGGESTIONS:
Cinematography
Acting
Plot
Genre
Soundtrack
Special effects
Characters
Dialogue
Pacing
Direction
"Your email should show a range of language structures."
What does this mean, and why is it important in the exam?
It means using a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences instead of just basic sentence structures. This is important because it demonstrates a higher level of grammar control and helps achieve a better score for language.
The following email phrases are informal, but TWO of them contain a SINGLE WORD that is too formal. Which are they? Explain what word should be changed.
Phrase 1: "swift" is too formal—"quick" or "fast" would be more natural in an informal email.
Phrase 3: "inform" is too formal—"tell" would be more natural in an informal email.)
What's wrong with this answer:
"I'm really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow! I'm writing to tell you about something that happened to me last week."
This is fake / unnatural because the writer will meet her friend the next day so there is no need to tell a story in an email! Just skip the email and share the story face-to-face!
Here are some ideas for a BOOK REVIEW. What kind of questions could you answer for a MOVIE REVIEW?
Book Review Outline [EXAMPLE]
Introduction: State the book's title, author, and setting. Give a quick summary of your impression (e.g., insightful, beautiful).
Plot Overview: Briefly describe the main storyline without spoilers. Mention key characters and the setting.
Impact: How did the book affect you? Was it inspiring or thought-provoking?
Writing Style: Describe the writing style (e.g., simple, descriptive). Did it enhance your experience?
Recommendation: Would you recommend it? To whom and why?
SUGGESTED ANSWER: Movie Review Outline
Introduction: State the movie's title, director, and genre. Give a quick summary of your impression (e.g., thrilling, emotional).
Plot Overview: Briefly describe the main storyline without spoilers. Mention key characters and setting.
Acting and Characters: Were the actors convincing? Mention any standout performances.
Visuals: Comment on cinematography or special effects.
Themes: What were the main themes or messages?
Recommendation: Would you recommend it? To whom and why?
Find 3 grammar errors in the closing paragraph of this review of the 1995 movie Toy Story:
Toy Story captivated me with its creativity and relating themes of jealousy and friendship. The animation was groundbreaking for its time, and the characters felt realistic and endearing. I recommend highly Toy Story to audiences of all age. Its humor, heartwarming message, and memorable characters make it a timeless watch for both kids and adults.
The CORRECT PARAGRAPH SHOULD BE:
Toy Story captivated me with its creativity and RELATABLE themes of jealousy and friendship. The animation was groundbreaking for its time, and the characters felt realistic and endearing. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Toy Story to audiences of all AGES. Its humor, heartwarming message, and memorable characters make it a timeless watch for both kids and adults.