PTE Core Writing · Write Email
PTE Core Write Email Template: Formal Email
One short opening, one paragraph for each of the three themes, one short close. It covers every theme, which is what Content checks, and the paragraphing earns Organization on its own.
9 minutes · 80 to 120 words · aim for about 100
The 1-3-1 formal email: remember it as
- Open
- Theme 1
- Theme 2
- Theme 3
- Close
When to use it: You are writing to someone you do not know or who has authority: a company's customer service team, a manager, a landlord, a school or a community organization.
The template
Each part has one job and a word budget. Fill every blank from the question in front of you: the score rewards answers to this task, not memorized sentences.
- 1
Open
12 to 18 wordsGreet the reader and say why you are writing, in one sentence.
Starters
- I am writing about blank, which blank.
- I am writing to ask whether blank.
- I am writing regarding blank on blank.
Put in
- A greeting that fits the reader: "Dear Ms Patel," or "Dear Customer Service Team,"
- The reason for writing, with one identifying detail such as a date or order number
Leave out
- "Hi!" or "Hey" to a company or a manager
- Opening with your life story before the reason
Earns:Email ConventionsOrganization
- 2
Theme 1
20 to 26 wordsAnswer theme 1 from the prompt directly, then add one reason or detail.
Starters
- When blank, I noticed that blank.
- The problem is that blank, and blank.
- To explain, blank because blank.
Put in
- A first sentence that answers theme 1 on its own
- One supporting detail: a reason, a time, a place or an example
Leave out
- Mixing two themes in one paragraph
- Repeating the situation back instead of answering the theme
Earns:ContentOrganization
- 3
Theme 2
20 to 26 wordsAnswer theme 2 from the prompt directly, then add one reason or detail.
Starters
- I would be grateful if you could blank.
- Given blank, I would like to request blank.
- Ideally, I would prefer blank rather than blank, since blank.
Put in
- A first sentence that answers theme 2 on its own
- One supporting detail: a reason, a time, a place or an example
Leave out
- Mixing two themes in one paragraph
- Repeating the situation back instead of answering the theme
Earns:ContentOrganization
- 4
Theme 3
20 to 26 wordsAnswer theme 3 from the prompt directly, then add one reason or detail.
Starters
- Could you also let me know blank?
- I would also appreciate it if you could confirm blank, as blank.
- Finally, could you tell me blank?
Put in
- A first sentence that answers theme 3 on its own
- One supporting detail: a reason, a time, a place or an example
Leave out
- Mixing two themes in one paragraph
- Repeating the situation back instead of answering the theme
Earns:ContentOrganization
- 5
Close
8 to 14 wordsWrap up politely and sign off in the same tone you opened with.
Starters
- Thank you for your help. I look forward to your reply.
- I have attached blank and look forward to hearing from you.
- Please let me know if you need any further information.
Put in
- A closing line that points forward: a reply, a call, a next step
- "Yours sincerely," after "Dear Ms Patel", "Yours faithfully," after "Dear Sir or Madam", or "Kind regards," either way, then your name
Leave out
- A new request or a new theme in the last paragraph
- "Cheers" or "See you" to a reader you do not know
Earns:Email ConventionsOrganization
What to put in, what to leave out
The test for every idea: does the task ask for it? If not, it costs you words you need for the parts that score.
Put in
- A greeting and sign-off that match a formal reader
- One paragraph for each of the three themes, in the order the prompt lists them
- A direct answer in the first sentence of each theme paragraph
- One concrete detail per theme: a date, a number, a reason
- A blank line between paragraphs
Leave out
- Details the reader does not need to act on, such as who the purchase was for
- Threats, sarcasm or emotional language
- Text-speak, contractions in every line, and emojis
- A copy of the prompt's wording as your opening line
- Anything that pushes you past 120 words
Keep or cut?
Here are ideas you might jot down for the task below. Sort each one before you see the model email.
The task
You recently bought a laptop from an online electronics store. The laptop arrived with a cracked screen. Write an email to the store's customer service team.
In your email, include:
- Theme 1describe the problem with the laptop
- Theme 2explain what you would like the store to do about it
- Theme 3ask how long the process will take
1 of 8
0 right
See it in action
The model email, with each part labelled by the piece of the template it fills.
Dear Customer Service Team,
I am writing about a laptop I ordered from your online store last week, order number 48213.
When I opened the package, the screen was cracked across the top corner and the laptop would not turn on. The box itself was undamaged.
As the fault seems to have happened before it was packed, I would be grateful if you could send a replacement rather than repair it.
Could you also confirm how long the replacement process usually takes? I need a working laptop for my job within the next two weeks.
I have attached photos of the damage and look forward to your reply.
Kind regards,Jordan Lee
Why it scores: Every theme has its own paragraph and is answered in the first sentence, so Content and Organization are both secure. The greeting, requests and sign-off stay polite and formal throughout, and the email lands comfortably inside the 80 to 120 word band.
Make it stick
Two quick rounds: rebuild the email in the right order, then spot the line that scores.
Rebuild the email
Tap the part that comes first.
Write this, not that
1. Which scores higher?
2. Which scores higher?
3. Which scores higher?
4. Which scores higher?
Mistakes that cost marks
- Leaving out one of the three themes. Content is scored against every theme, so tick them off as you write.
- Writing one block of text. Without paragraphs, Organization drops even when every theme is there.
- Opening like a text message to a company or a manager, which costs Email Conventions.
- Going past 120 words by adding a fourth idea instead of finishing the third theme well.
- Skipping the last minute of proofreading: Spelling and Grammar are scored separately.
Free to try
Use this template on a real Write Email question
Open a question in the question bank. The template sits beside your answer and ticks off each part against its word budget as you type, then the AI scores you on the same traits Pearson uses.
Practise Write EmailKeep going
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How many words should a PTE Core email be?
Full Form marks need 50 to 120 words, and the task asks for at least 100. The question bank sets 80 to 120, so aim for about 100: an opening of 12 to 18 words, three theme paragraphs of 20 to 26, and a short close.
Should I use "Yours sincerely" or "Kind regards"?
Use "Yours sincerely" when you greet a named person ("Dear Ms Patel"), "Yours faithfully" after "Dear Sir or Madam", and "Kind regards" when you want something formal but a little warmer. What matters for Email Conventions is that the greeting, sign-off and tone all match the reader.
Do I need a subject line in PTE Core Write Email?
No. The response box is for the email itself. Start with the greeting and spend your words on the three themes instead.