At WRITERS AT WORK, we believe writing is not just a subject – it’s a life skill. With the changes to the PSLE English Paper 1 taking effect from 2025, more parents are asking us, “What exactly is Situational Writing, and how can my child score well in it?”
This beginner-friendly guide explains everything you need to know about Situational Writing in the PSLE, especially with the MOE’s revised weightage. We’ll also share proven tips from our curriculum to help your child write with structure, clarity, and confidence.
What Is Situational Writing in PSLE?
Situational Writing is one of the two components in English Paper 1. Unlike composition writing, which focuses on storytelling, Situational Writing is a practical writing task. Students must respond to a given scenario—typically by writing a letter, email, note, or report—based on visual and written information.
Paper 1 accounts for 25% of the overall English grade, a slight reduction from 27.5% before 2025. Within this paper, the mark distribution has been adjusted:
- Situational Writing: Total marks have been reduced from 15 to 14, with language marks dropping from 9 to 8. Task fulfilment remains unchanged at 6 marks.
- Continuous Writing: Previously marked out of 40, it will now be graded out of 36.
While this might seem minor, this component remains a critical part of the PSLE. Students must be able to demonstrate clear and concise communication, adhering closely to the format and requirements of the given task.
It tests their ability to:
- Understand and summarise given information
- Adopt the correct tone, purpose, and audience
- Use the right format (formal or informal)
- Write with clarity, coherence, and accuracy
Why Is Situational Writing Important?
In today’s world, being able to write functionally is just as essential as writing creatively. Whether it’s crafting an email to a teacher, writing a report for a school project, or making a formal request, students will encounter Situational Writing in both school and life.
With the PSLE 2025 changes, students can no longer afford to neglect this section. Many students find it easier to score in this component because it is more structured and predictable than composition writing—if they know what to do.
That’s why we focus on this skill early and consistently in our programmes—one of the reasons parents regard us as among the Best English Tuition providers in Singapore. Here are five must-know skills your child needs to master Situational Writing:
1. Read and Analyse the Visual Stimulus Carefully
Every Situational Writing task begins with a visual (e.g., poster, flyer, or notice) and written information (such as notes or dialogue). Students must read every word carefully—twice if needed—and identify:
- Who is involved in the situation?
- What has happened?
- What must be done?
- Who is the intended recipient?
2. Use the Correct Format
Many students lose marks not because of content, but because of formatting errors.
Here are common formats in PSLE Situational Writing:
- Formal email or letter (to the principal, a company, or an official)
- Informal email or message (to a parent, friend, or classmate)
- Report (to a school committee or teacher)
Our students memorise format templates and learn how to adapt them to different situations. For example:
- Formal letters require subject headings, proper salutations (“Dear Sir/Madam”), and formal closures (“Yours sincerely”).
- Informal emails are more conversational and personal.
Knowing when to use each—and how to shift tone accordingly—is a critical skill we develop at WRITERS AT WORK.
3. Cover All Required Points
The stimulus provides 6–8 content points. Students must:
- Identify all task-specific and audience-relevant informationWith only 120–150 words allowed, Situational Writing is all about efficiency. Every sentence should add value. There’s no space for repetition, filler phrases, or storytelling.
We remind students to:
- Stick to the point
- Avoid overly descriptive language
- Ensure each paragraph has one main idea
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even high-performing students can stumble on:
- Using the wrong format or forgetting email components
- Copying content word-for-word from the visual
- Writing too casually or too formally for the situation
- Omitting required information
With regular practice, structured guidance, and detailed feedback, these mistakes become easy to avoid.
Writing for the Situation
Situational Writing is no longer the “easy” part of Paper 1—it’s a strategic opportunity to secure valuable marks. When done well, it shows that your child can think critically, adapt their tone, and communicate effectively—skills that matter in school and beyond.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we focus on building students’ confidence in writing and communication by enhancing their composition writing techniques and reinforcing good phrases for composition. Our Comprehensive English programmes offer additional support during the school holidays and Singapore school holidays, ensuring students stay ahead in their studies.
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Attain Stellar Results with WRITERS AT WORK!
English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. WRITERS AT WORK reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how WRITERS AT WORK makes a difference, feel free to explore our website, watch our YouTube videos and catch us LIVE on TikTok!
If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS AT WORK has expanded to 9 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS AT WORK!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Is Creative Writing in Primary School?
In primary school, creative writing starts from using pictures to develop a coherent storyline. Students will learn how to use key phrases to build tension and develop a satisfying conclusion. Students will need to use good grammar and appropriate vocabulary to describe the things they see in the pictures when writing.
2. What Is an Enrichment Class in English?
An enrichment class allows your child to not only learn the basics of the mechanics of English such as good grammar and sentence structure, but it also teaches your child to appreciate the nuances of the English language.
3. What Does a Writing Specialist Teach?
A writing specialist teaches your child how to formulate sentences in a logical manner. Writing has various contexts, and if the assignment is a narrative essay, there are certain requirements such as a well thought-out plot, fleshed-out characters, and a good denouement.
4. How Does My Child Benefit From Writing Classes?
Writing classes build systematic thinking and logic in children. Crafting a story plot is the same as thinking, step by step, what events chronologically happen in the context of a given scenario. Students will be able to express their ideas and thought processes in a coherent and concise manner, which will help them in their other subjects as they will be able to formulate sentences to better understand the material. English proficiency is a highly transferable skill.
