PSLE Situational Writing: Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write Articles

Are you feeling nervous about the Situational Writing section of your English paper? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many Primary 6 students find this section tricky because it is different from the long compositions you usually write. However, Situational Writing is actually a great way to “boost” your marks because the information you need is already provided for you!

In this guide, we will look at how to write an Article. Articles are a common format in the PSLE English Situational Writing exam, alongside letters and emails. While you might already know how to write a letter in English exam papers, an article has a slightly different “feel”. It is meant for a wider audience, like your schoolmates or neighbours.

To help you understand better, we will be using the 2025 SEAB PSLE English Language Sample Paper (Situational Writing Task 1) as our example. You can find the original task on the official SEAB website. Credit goes to the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) for providing these helpful practice materials!

1. Read Carefully and Understand Your CAP!

Before you even pick up your pen, take a moment to see the “big picture” by putting on your thinking CAP. No, not the one on your head! For PSLE Situational Writing, CAP stands for Context, Audience, and Purpose. Master these three, and your tone will hit the mark every time.

• Context: Who are you writing as, and what is the situation?

• Audience: Who is going to read your article? Is it your classmates, your teachers, or your neighbours?

• Purpose: What are you trying to say? Are you trying to persuade them to join an activity or are you simply sharing a meaningful experience you had?

Example from the SEAB Task:

• Context: You are Susan. You just grew a papaya tree in your aunt’s garden.

• Audience: Your schoolmates (the article will be published in the school’s science magazine).

• Purpose: To share your experience growing your own papaya plant.

After identifying your CAP, you realise that your tone should be friendly, enthusiastic, and encouraging, as you are sharing a personal success and inspiring your schoolmates to try growing a plant themselves.

2. PLAN FIRST: Label Your 6 Task Fulfilment Points

In Situational Writing, you earn marks for Task Fulfilment (TF). This means you must include everything the bullet points ask for. In this SEAB task, there are 6 TF points. Circle or underline them in the picture and label them 1–6. Be careful—some bullet points have 2 TF points, not just one, so read carefully.

Important tip! The underlined bullet point cannot be found in the pictures, so you must create your own idea. Make sure it is logical and fits the story. Then, write your idea next to it on the question paper.

Example Plan for the SEAB Task:

• Why you wanted to grow a papaya plant (1): I was curious to see how a papaya plant grows.

• How you decided on where to plant the seeds (2): My aunt informed me that a pot would be too small for the plant, so she suggested planting the seeds in her garden instead as there was lots of sun and space for the papaya plant to grow healthily.

• How you made sure you remembered to water the plant daily (3): (Invented Point) I set an alarm on my phone to ring at seven every evening, reminding me to water the plant.

• Other than watering the plant, give two ways how you cared for it (4) + (5): I gave the plant fertiliser to help it grow tall and strong. When the tree began to bear fruit, I wrapped the papayas in plastic bags to keep bats away while waiting for them to ripen.

• How long it took for your papaya plant to bear fruit (6): Seven months

Planning like this is exactly what we do in our English enrichment classes for primary school to ensure no marks are lost!

3. Craft Your Introduction

Your introduction should be short and sweet. Its job is to set the scene (Context) and state why you are writing (Purpose). Most of this information is hidden in the “Task” box on your exam paper—don’t ignore it!

Example for the SEAB Task: Have you ever tried growing your own plant? For me, it was no easy feat! One year ago, I had the chance to grow a papaya tree in my aunt’s garden (Context), and I am excited to share my experience with you (Purpose).

Expert tip: Start with a question to grab your reader’s attention and make them curious to read on!

4. Write the Body Paragraph

This is the “meat” of your article. This is where you put all 6 of your TF points. However, a common mistake is simply listing them like a grocery list. That is boring! To get higher marks for Language, you should use connectors to make the ideas flow smoothly.

Connectors you can use: Furthermore, Moreover, Additionally, However, Consequently.

Example for the SEAB Task: Back then, I was curious to see how a papaya plant grows (1) and thought of planting the seeds in a large pot in my flat. However, my aunt informed me that a pot would be too small for the plant, so she suggested planting the seeds in her garden instead, where there was plenty of sun and space for the papaya to grow healthily (2). To make sure the plant was well cared for, I set an alarm on my phone to ring at seven every evening as a reminder to water it (3). Additionally, I gave the plant fertiliser to help it grow tall and strong (4). After seven months (6) of tender loving care, the tree began to bear fruit! To protect the young papayas from bats, I wrapped them in plastic bags while waiting for them to ripen (5).

Using these PSLE English situational writing tips ensures your paragraph feels like a real story rather than just a list of facts.

5. Write a Conclusion and Call to Action (CTA)

The conclusion is where you give your final thoughts and tell the reader what to do next. A “Call to Action” (CTA) is very important for articles! Finally, remember to thank the reader.

Example for the SEAB Task: Overall, the experience was a huge success! When the papayas ripened, my aunt cut them up and shared them with my family. The fruits were juicy and delicious. I strongly encourage everyone to try growing their own plants too (CTA). If a big papaya tree feels too hard, you can start small, like growing mung beans in a container. Thank you for reading!

Format: Which one should I use?

Different schools in Singapore might teach slightly different formats. Some teachers want a title, while others want a “Dear Students” greeting. The most important thing is that your article is easy to read, follows the CAP, and hits all 6 TF points.

Here are three common formats:

Format 1:Title

Introduction
Body
Conclusion

Written by: Susan Lee

Format 2:

Title
By Susan Lee

Introduction
Body
Conclusion

Format 3:Dear Schoolmates,

Introduction
Body
Conclusion

Cheers, Susan Lee

At the end of the day, listen carefully to what your teacher suggests and follow their guidance. To score well for PSLE Situational Writing, focus on writing a strong Introduction, Body, and Conclusion.

Unlock Your PSLE Success with WRITERS AT WORK

Mastering Situational Writing is all about practice and having a clear system. At WRITERS AT WORK, our Comprehensive English Programmes for primary school help students break down complex tasks into simple, manageable steps. Whether it is an article, a formal letter, or an informal email, we give students the confidence to score.

If you are searching for a high-quality English enrichment class for primary school, look no further. Our teachers are experts at helping students polish their language and perfect their “Task Fulfilment.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need to write a very long article for PSLE?

No! Situational Writing usually has a suggested length (about 150 words). Focus on including all the points and using good grammar rather than writing a very long story.

Q2: What happens if I forget one Task Fulfilment point?

You will lose marks! Every bullet point in the question is worth marks. That is why we recommend checking them off your list once you have written them.

Q3: Can I use "text speak" (like 'u' instead of 'you') in an article?

Never! Even if the audience is your friends, you must use proper English in your exam. Keep the tone friendly but the grammar perfect.

Q4: Where can I find more practice?

Apart from SEAB, you can join a specialised writing centre! Finding the best English enrichment classes for kids in Singapore will give you access to many “mock” exam papers and expert feedback.