In this guide, we will look at how to write an Article. Articles are a common format in the PSLE English Situational Writing exam, alongside letters and emails. While you might already know how to write a letter in English exam papers, an article has a slightly different “feel”. It is meant for a wider audience, like your schoolmates or neighbours.
To help you understand better, we will be using the 2025 SEAB PSLE English Language Sample Paper (Situational Writing Task 1) as our example. You can find the original task on the official SEAB website. Credit goes to the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) for providing these helpful practice materials!
Before you even pick up your pen, take a moment to see the “big picture” by putting on your thinking CAP. No, not the one on your head! For PSLE Situational Writing, CAP stands for Context, Audience, and Purpose. Master these three, and your tone will hit the mark every time.
Example from the SEAB Task:
After identifying your CAP, you realise that your tone should be friendly, enthusiastic, and encouraging, as you are sharing a personal success and inspiring your schoolmates to try growing a plant themselves.
In Situational Writing, you earn marks for Task Fulfilment (TF). This means you must include everything the bullet points ask for. In this SEAB task, there are 6 TF points. Circle or underline them in the picture and label them 1–6. Be careful—some bullet points have 2 TF points, not just one, so read carefully.
Important tip! The underlined bullet point cannot be found in the pictures, so you must create your own idea. Make sure it is logical and fits the story. Then, write your idea next to it on the question paper.
Example Plan for the SEAB Task:
Planning like this is exactly what we do in our English enrichment classes for primary school to ensure no marks are lost!
Your introduction should be short and sweet. Its job is to set the scene (Context) and state why you are writing (Purpose). Most of this information is hidden in the “Task” box on your exam paper—don’t ignore it!
Example for the SEAB Task: Have you ever tried growing your own plant? For me, it was no easy feat! One year ago, I had the chance to grow a papaya tree in my aunt’s garden (Context), and I am excited to share my experience with you (Purpose).
Expert tip: Start with a question to grab your reader’s attention and make them curious to read on!
This is the “meat” of your article. This is where you put all 6 of your TF points. However, a common mistake is simply listing them like a grocery list. That is boring! To get higher marks for Language, you should use connectors to make the ideas flow smoothly.
Connectors you can use: Furthermore, Moreover, Additionally, However, Consequently.
Example for the SEAB Task: Back then, I was curious to see how a papaya plant grows (1) and thought of planting the seeds in a large pot in my flat. However, my aunt informed me that a pot would be too small for the plant, so she suggested planting the seeds in her garden instead, where there was plenty of sun and space for the papaya to grow healthily (2). To make sure the plant was well cared for, I set an alarm on my phone to ring at seven every evening as a reminder to water it (3). Additionally, I gave the plant fertiliser to help it grow tall and strong (4). After seven months (6) of tender loving care, the tree began to bear fruit! To protect the young papayas from bats, I wrapped them in plastic bags while waiting for them to ripen (5).
Using these PSLE English situational writing tips ensures your paragraph feels like a real story rather than just a list of facts.
The conclusion is where you give your final thoughts and tell the reader what to do next. A “Call to Action” (CTA) is very important for articles! Finally, remember to thank the reader.
Example for the SEAB Task: Overall, the experience was a huge success! When the papayas ripened, my aunt cut them up and shared them with my family. The fruits were juicy and delicious. I strongly encourage everyone to try growing their own plants too (CTA). If a big papaya tree feels too hard, you can start small, like growing mung beans in a container. Thank you for reading!
Different schools in Singapore might teach slightly different formats. Some teachers want a title, while others want a “Dear Students” greeting. The most important thing is that your article is easy to read, follows the CAP, and hits all 6 TF points.
Here are three common formats:
Format 1:
Title
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Written by: Susan Lee
Format 2:
Title
By Susan Lee
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Format 3:
Dear Schoolmates,
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Cheers, Susan Lee
At the end of the day, listen carefully to what your teacher suggests and follow their guidance. To score well for PSLE Situational Writing, focus on writing a strong Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.
Mastering Situational Writing is all about practice and having a clear system. At WRITERS AT WORK, our Comprehensive English Programmes for primary school help students break down complex tasks into simple, manageable steps. Whether it is an article, a formal letter, or an informal email, we give students the confidence to score.
If you are searching for a high-quality English enrichment class for primary school, look no further. Our teachers are experts at helping students polish their language and perfect their “Task Fulfilment.”
No! Situational Writing usually has a suggested length (about 150 words). Focus on including all the points and using good grammar rather than writing a very long story.
You will lose marks! Every bullet point in the question is worth marks. That is why we recommend checking them off your list once you have written them.
Never! Even if the audience is your friends, you must use proper English in your exam. Keep the tone friendly but the grammar perfect.
Apart from SEAB, you can join a specialised writing centre! Finding the best English enrichment classes for kids in Singapore will give you access to many “mock” exam papers and expert feedback.
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