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Writing: a useful short message
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Give your reader a job
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You want a friend to meet you. Your message must answer where? when? what next?
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Before starting, complete this aloud: I am at ... If that is difficult, revisit am, is, are.
A useful message can be short. Include the information your reader needs to act.
Watch a message take shape
- Situation: You are at the library. Meet Sam at three. Ask Sam to bring a pen.
Hi Sam. I'm at the library. Meet me here at 3 pm. Please bring a pen. Thanks, Jo.
- I'm at tells Sam where you are. Meet me gives an action. Please bring makes the request polite. A name at the end tells Sam who wrote it.
Where does Jo want Sam to meet?
Difficulté 1/5 · 100 pièces + un petit bonus lors de la première réussite aujourd'hui
Jo writes “I'm at the library” and “Meet me here”. Here refers to the library.
Repair the missing detail
- Compare: Hi Sam. Meet me later. Bring it.
Later gives no exact time; it has no clear meaning here. Sam cannot act confidently.
- Repair one problem at a time: Meet me at 3 pm. Please bring a pen. You can also write Can you bring a pen, please? Both requests fit a friend.
Which revision makes “Bring it” clear?
Difficulté 1/5 · 100 pièces + un petit bonus lors de la première réussite aujourd'hui
Naming a pen tells Sam which object to bring. Changing the time leaves the object unclear.
Build with support
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Use Hi + name → place → time → request → your name.
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For a friend at the park, use I'm at the park. For a time, use at 4 pm. Put a full stop between complete sentences. Practise the details in the next boxes before writing your own message.
Which detail is missing from “Hi Kim. Meet me at the cafe. Please bring a notebook”?
Difficulté 1/5 · 100 pièces + un petit bonus lors de la première réussite aujourd'hui
The cafe is the place and notebook is the object. Add a time so Kim can plan.
Write without the frame
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Fresh situation: You are at the cafe. Ask Alex to meet you at 11 am and bring your book.
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Write your message before comparing it with a model. More than one message works. Check the three important details rather than copying the model word for word.
Fresh situation: You are at the cafe. Ask Alex to meet you at 11 am and bring your book.
Write your message before comparing it with a model. More than one message works. Check the three important details rather than copying the model word for word.
Write your response, then compare with the model and checklist.
Compare meaning, completeness and tone. Several answers can meet these criteria; this is a self-review, not an automatic score.
Make one useful revision
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Read your own message as Alex. Underline the place, circle the time and find the request.
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If one is missing, add it. If there or it is unclear, name the place or object. Keep your first draft in your own notes if you want to compare versions; this page does not save your writing.
Transfer to a new reader
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New situation: Your music teacher asks where you are. You are outside Room 4. Tell the teacher you are there now and ask them to open the door.
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Use a polite greeting and a clear request. This time the purpose is getting help, not arranging a meeting.
New situation: Your music teacher asks where you are. You are outside Room 4. Tell the teacher you are there now and ask them to open the door.
Use a polite greeting and a clear request. This time the purpose is getting help, not arranging a meeting.
Write your response, then compare with the model and checklist.
Compare meaning, completeness and tone. Several answers can meet these criteria; this is a self-review, not an automatic score.
Retrieve tomorrow
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Tomorrow, without the model, write a message giving a new place, time and request. Check it after writing.
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Next, practise understanding messages in Reading: notes, signs and messages. For longer arrangements and changes, continue to English A2 writing.
Without looking back, name one useful revision you made and explain why it helps your reader. Tomorrow, try the fresh situation described in the last step.
A useful reflection connects a concrete change with its purpose. It does not establish delayed recall until you return and attempt the work later.