Task 1 Templates (Writing an Email) - CELPIP Writing Course

Task 1 = a short, semi-formal email (about 150–200 words, ~27 minutes). Use this six-part map and choose phrases that match your situation.

Six parts

Greeting
Purpose line (why you’re writing)
Body A (reason + short example)
Body B (new reason + short example)
Request / next steps (what you want)
Sign-off + name

1) Greeting (semi-formal)

Hello Ms. ____,
Hello Mr. ____,
Hello ____ Team,
Dear Customer Service,
Dear Admissions Office,

Tip: If you don’t know a name, use the role or team (Customer Service, Building Management, Program Office).

2) Purpose line (clear and short)

Reporting a problem

I’m writing to report repeated delays on Route __.
I’m writing about ongoing noise after 11 p.m. at ____.
I’m writing to report frequent elevator outages in the north tower.

Requesting information

I’m writing to ask about registration for the __ course in ____.
I’m writing to confirm the documents needed for ____.
I’m writing to request details about the repair schedule for ____.

Asking for a change

I’m writing to request a schedule change for my class on ____.
I’m writing to ask if my appointment can be moved to ____.
I’m writing to request a refund/replacement for order #____.

Following up

I’m writing to follow up on my last email from ____.
I’m writing to check the status of service ticket #____.

3) Body A — Reason + short example (one idea)

Impact on people / access

This causes long waits during rush hour; for example, the 5:40 bus often arrives after 6:00.
Residents on higher floors miss deliveries; last week, parcels stayed in the lobby overnight.
Evening classes run late, so working parents arrive after the lesson has started.

Safety / reliability

The south entrance is poorly lit after 9 p.m.; last night, several lights were off.
The elevator stops between floors; yesterday it halted on the 7th floor for two minutes.

Service / quality

Several items were missing from the delivery; the receipt lists two filters, but only one arrived.
The booking page shows “confirmed,” yet staff could not find my reservation at check-in.

Money / deadlines

The new fee was charged twice; my statement shows two payments on the same date.
The application deadline appears as July 1 on the website but July 5 in the email.

4) Body B — New reason + short example (different angle)

Community / public impact

Weekend events bring large crowds, so families wait in long lines for washrooms.
Snow on the stairs makes the entrance slippery; two neighbors slipped last week.

Operations / fairness

Without updates, delivery drivers leave; packages then pile up by the front desk.
The schedule change overlaps with exams; students cannot attend both events.

Clarity / communication

Notices list “repairs in progress,” but no estimated finish date is shown.
The sign at the gate says “permit required,” yet the website shows “free after 6 p.m.”

5) Request & next steps (what you want exactly)

Polite action verbs

Could you please arrange a technician visit this week?
Would it be possible to post daily updates with an estimated date?
Could you add one evening bus during rush hour this month?
Please confirm which documents I should bring on ____.
Would you please move my appointment to __ (date/time)__?
Could you issue a refund for the second charge on __ (date)__?
Please send a replacement for item ____, or advise on pickup.

Offer help / provide info

I can share photos, receipts, and unit numbers if needed.
I’m available at __ time window __ for a call or visit.

Timeline

Please let me know by Friday if this plan works.
Kindly confirm the next steps by tomorrow afternoon.

6) Sign-off (semi-formal closings)

Sincerely,
Kind regards,
Best regards,
Thank you,

Name
(Optionally) Unit __ / Phone __

Plug-and-play mini-templates (complete emails ~160–190 words)

A) Building maintenance request

Hello Building Management,

I’m writing to report repeated elevator outages in the north tower this month. The notice says “part on order,” but there is no repair date. This affects many residents on higher floors. For example, deliveries pile up in the lobby because drivers cannot reach upper floors.

It also creates access issues for seniors and parents with strollers. On Tuesday evening, the elevator stopped between the 7th and 8th floors for about two minutes, and several people used the stairs.

Could you please arrange a technician visit this week to stabilize service while we wait for the part? Also, would it be possible to post daily updates with an estimated completion date so residents can plan?

I can share unit numbers and times if helpful. Please let me know the repair timeline by Friday.

Kind regards,

B) Refund or replacement (online order)

Hello Customer Service,

I’m writing to request a replacement for order #____. The parcel arrived on ____, but the box contained one filter instead of two, and the bottle cap was cracked. I attached a photo of the items and the receipt.

This issue delays a planned repair at my home. The second filter is needed for the installation, which is scheduled for this weekend.

Could you please send a replacement for the missing filter and advise about the damaged bottle? If a replacement is not available, would you please issue a refund for both items?

I can return the damaged part if required. Please confirm the next steps by tomorrow afternoon.

Best regards,

C) Schedule change (class or appointment)

Hello Program Office,

I’m writing to request a schedule change for my photography class on May 12. I need to attend a medical appointment at the same time. I would like to move to the Saturday morning session if possible.

Evening travel takes longer during construction on Main Street, so I often arrive late for weeknight classes. A weekend session would help me attend from the start.

Could you please transfer my registration to Saturday or suggest another time this month? I can attend any morning slot and will pay any difference in fees.

Please confirm the change and let me know if you need additional details.

Sincerely,

D) Information request (documents / policies)

Hello Admissions Office,

I’m writing to ask about the document list for the Business Writing course starting in September. The website mentions “proof of English level,” but it does not specify which tests you accept.

I have recent results and work experience in Canada. I want to ensure I bring the correct papers to registration.

Could you please confirm which test scores and IDs you require? If there is a registration deadline, please let me know the date.

Thank you for your help.

Kind regards,

E) Community issue (noise / events)

Hello City Events Team,

I’m writing about late-night music from the waterfront stage after 10 p.m. on weekends. The sound reaches nearby apartments, and families with young children cannot sleep.

Crowds also create long washroom lines and litter by the playground. On Saturday, bins overflowed by 9:30 p.m.

Could you please reduce volume after 9:30 p.m. and add two waste bins near the playground during events? If possible, please post the schedule at the park entrance so residents can plan.

Please let me know if these steps are possible for next weekend.

Best regards,

Phrase banks you can drop anywhere

Purpose starters

I’m writing to report / request / follow up on / ask about…
I’m writing to confirm / clarify / reschedule / share details about…

Impact / result

This causes delays for residents/riders/students.
As a result, people miss appointments/transfers/classes.
This makes it difficult to access services after __ p.m.
This reduces wait times and improves reliability.

Evidence

For example, last Friday at 6:15 p.m., …
On average, the trip takes 40 minutes instead of 25.
Two neighbors reported the same issue this week.

Requests

Could you please arrange / send / post / confirm / issue / add …?
Would it be possible to move / reschedule / extend / provide …?

Next steps

Please let me know by [day/time].
I can provide photos/receipts/unit numbers if needed.
I’m available [time window] for a call or visit.

Polite endings (one line)

Thank you for looking into this.
I appreciate your help with this matter.
I look forward to your reply.

“Before → After” fixes you can copy

Too casual

Before: “Hey, this keeps happening and it’s super annoying.”
After: “Hello, I’m writing about repeated delays on Route __.”

No ask

Before: “The class time is hard for me.”
After: “Could you please move my class to the Saturday session?”

Vague

Before: “There are many problems at night.”
After: “After 10 p.m., music from the stage is loud, and families cannot sleep.”

Wordy

Before: “I would like to kindly take the opportunity to state that…”
After: “I’m writing to request…”

Hard tone

Before: “Your staff never helps anyone.”
After: “Service delays have caused missed appointments.”

Quick build steps (2 minutes)

Write greeting + purpose (1–2 lines).
Add two reasons (each with a short example).
Write two requests and one next step line.
Add sign-off + name.
Check word counter (near 150–200).

#13. Task 1 Templates (Writing an Email)