How to Write the Email Task in TOEIC Writing
The email response is the most realistic part of TOEIC Writing — it mirrors what you will actually do at work. The most common mistake is not grammar; it is silently skipping one of the things the prompt asked for.
Read the prompt before you write
The prompt always states what you must do: request information, make an offer, explain a problem, or several of these at once. Underline each requirement before you start.
Missing one requirement is the quickest way to lose marks here, because the marking looks at whether you addressed everything asked — a well-written email that skips a point still gets docked.
A solid email structure
1. A greeting appropriate to the recipient.
2. An opening line that states why you are writing.
3. The body: handle each requirement in turn, one clear point each.
4. A closing line and sign-off.
Workplace email rewards clarity over flourish. Short, on-point sentences are always safer than long complex ones.
Register and common mistakes
Being too casual when the recipient is a manager or a client.
Writing at length yet still missing one of the prompt's requirements — length does not compensate for omission.
Skipping the opening line, leaving the reader to guess the purpose of the email.
FAQ
How formal should a TOEIC email be?
It depends on the recipient named in the prompt. Writing to a client or a manager calls for formality; writing to a familiar colleague can be more natural. The prompt always tells you who you are writing to.
Does writing more earn a higher score?
No. What is marked is whether you addressed every requirement in an appropriate register. A short email that covers everything beats a long one that misses a point.
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