TOEFL Writing Guide — English Exams with Candice

Task 2 — Write an Email

Respond to a scenario by addressing three bullet points

You have 7 minutes and must write 80–120 words. Your email must include a subject line and address all three bullet points: why you are writing, details of the situation, and a request or action.

Subject Line

→

Salutation

→

Purpose

→

Details

→

Action/Request

→

Polite Closing

→

Sign-off

Subject Line

• Bullet point 1

Write a clear, concise subject line

One line that tells the reader exactly what the email is about. Be specific — not just "Question" or "Problem".

Question regarding [Assignment/Topic/Issue]

Technical issue with [course/submission/portal]

Urgent: [Brief description of problem]

Inquiry regarding [topic] — [your name/course]

Request for [extension/clarification/assistance] — [topic]

Salutation

Address the recipient correctly

Use the correct title and name from the prompt. Never write "Hey" or "Hi" in a formal academic email.

Dear Professor [Name],

Dear Dr. [Name],

Dear Mr. / Ms. [Name],

Purpose — Answer Bullet Point 1

State why you are writing immediately

Your very first sentence must answer bullet point 1 directly. No preamble — get straight to the point.

I am writing to explain a technical difficulty I encountered while [action].

I am writing to inform you of an urgent issue regarding [topic].

I am writing to seek your assistance regarding a problem I encountered with [issue].

I am contacting you to explain why I have been unable to [action].

I am writing to request [action] in connection with [course/assignment].

Details — Answer Bullet Point 2

Provide 1–2 specific details about the situation

Be specific and factual. Use linking language to show cause and effect clearly.

Unfortunately, [detail of what happened].

Earlier this [morning/afternoon], I tried to [action], but [problem occurred].

Although I attempted to [action], [obstacle/complication].

Due to [cause], my [action] was interrupted / unsuccessful.

I wanted to bring this to your attention because [reason].

I am concerned about [consequence] as I cannot currently [action].

Consequently, I am unable to [action], and [result].

Since [situation], I wanted to reach out immediately to ensure [desired outcome].

Action / Request — Answer Bullet Point 3

Make your request clearly and politely

Offer a specific solution or request. Add an alternative where possible — this shows flexibility and sophistication.

Would it be possible for me to [request]?

Could you please let me know if [option]?

Would it be possible to submit my [work] as an email attachment to resolve this?

Alternatively, I would greatly appreciate it if you could [alternative option].

If not, I would be grateful for the opportunity to [alternative].

May I [action] instead? Otherwise, please let me know if you would prefer [alternative].

To ensure you receive [item] on time, may I [action]?

I would appreciate a short extension until [condition].

Polite Closing & Sign-off

Close with appreciation and sign off

One sentence only. Then sign off with your name on a new line.

Thank you for your time and for your assistance with this matter.

Thank you for your understanding and help.

I appreciate your time and consideration of this matter.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Sincerely, / Best regards, / Kind regards, [Your name]

Four Complete Email Variations — Psychology Portal Scenario

Study all four styles

Variation 1

Standard — Balanced and Clear

Subject: Technical issue with Psychology essay submission

Dear Dr. Miller,

Purpose

I am writing to explain a technical difficulty I encountered while attempting to submit my final essay for your Intro to Psychology course.

Details

Earlier this afternoon, I tried to upload my document to the student portal. Unfortunately, the system crashed mid-upload, and I am now unable to log back in to verify if the file was received. I wanted to bring this to your attention immediately because the deadline is approaching and I want to ensure my work is submitted on time.

Action

Would it be possible for me to send the essay directly to you via email as an attachment instead? Alternatively, I would greatly appreciate it if you could grant me a brief extension until the portal is back online.

Closing

Thank you for your time and for your assistance with this matter.

Best regards, Ana

Variation 2

Direct & Urgent — Tight deadlines

Subject: Urgent: Technical error with Psychology essay upload

Dear Dr. Miller,

Purpose

I am writing to inform you of an urgent technical issue regarding the submission of my final Psychology essay.

Details

Although I attempted to upload the file to the student portal earlier today, the website crashed before the process was finished. Consequently, I am unable to confirm if my submission was successful, and the deadline is fast approaching.

Action

Could you please let me know if I should email the document to you directly? Alternatively, I would appreciate a short extension to re-upload the file once the portal is stable.

Closing

Thank you for your understanding and help.

Best regards, Ana

Variation 3

Formal & Explanatory — Higher vocabulary

Subject: Inquiry regarding Psychology portal submission error

Dear Dr. Miller,

Purpose

I am writing to seek your assistance regarding a problem I encountered while using the online submission portal for my Psychology assignment.

Details

Unfortunately, the system became unresponsive during my upload, preventing me from completing the task. I am concerned about missing the deadline as I cannot currently access the site to verify my status.

Action

Would it be possible to submit my essay as an email attachment to resolve this? If not, I would be grateful for the opportunity to submit it as soon as the technical issues are fixed.

Closing

I appreciate your time and consideration of this matter.

Best regards, Ana

Variation 4

Solution-Oriented — Proactive approach

Subject: Submission issue for Intro to Psychology essay

Dear Dr. Miller,

Purpose

I am contacting you to explain why I have been unable to submit my final essay through the required student portal.

Details

Due to a sudden system crash this afternoon, my upload was interrupted. Since the portal is currently offline, I wanted to reach out immediately to ensure my work is not marked late.

Action

To ensure you receive the file on time, may I attach it to this email for your review? Otherwise, please let me know if you would prefer me to wait and upload it later this evening.

Closing

Thank you for your assistance with this situation.

Best regards, Ana

Vocabulary — Task 2 Email

Purpose openers

I am writing to explainI am writing to informseek your assistanceI am writing to requestI am contacting you to clarify

Cause and effect

unfortunatelyconsequentlydue tosinceas a resultthereforealthough

Urgency and concern

the deadline is fast approachingI am concerned aboutwanted to reach out immediatelyI want to ensureI am unable to confirm

Polite requests

would it be possible tocould you pleaseI would greatly appreciate it ifI would be grateful formay Ialternatively

Formal phrases

preventing me fromI encounteredbring this to your attentionverify my statusgranted a brief extensionresolve this

Key collocations

technical difficultysystem crashedmid-uploadbrief extensionportal is stableemail as an attachmentmarked late

Linking Words — Task 2

Addition

moreoverfurthermorein additionnot only... but also

Contrast

howeverneverthelesswhereasthat being said

Concession

althoughwhileeven thoughadmittedly

Cause and result

consequentlythereforeas a resultdue tosince

Emphasis

above allcruciallyin particularit is worth noting

Sequence

firstlysubsequentlyfurthermorefinally

Task 3 — Academic Discussion

Contribute your own view to an online class discussion

A professor posts a question. Two students give their opinions. You must write a 100+ word response in 10 minutes that engages with the other students, states your own clear position, develops your reasoning, and includes an example.

Opening

→

Engagement

→

Reasoning

→

Example

→

Conclusion

Opening — State Your Position Clearly

Acknowledge the discussion and take a stance

Reference both student names. State your opinion clearly in the first sentence. Do not summarise — take a position immediately.

While I appreciate the points made by both [Student 1] and [Student 2], I strongly believe that [your opinion].

Both [Student 1] and [Student 2] raise interesting points; however, I am firmly of the view that [your opinion].

Although [Student 1] and [Student 2] offer valid perspectives, I would argue that [your position].

I find myself in partial agreement with [Student 1], though I believe [your more nuanced view].

Having considered both perspectives, I am convinced that [your position] for the following reasons.

Engagement — Respond to a Student

Engage directly with one student’s point

Name the student. Paraphrase their point. Then extend, complicate or challenge it. This shows critical thinking.

Specifically, [Student 1] mentioned that [their point], which is valid, but I think it overlooks the fact that [your counter-point or addition].

While [Student 2] makes a reasonable case for [their point], I would suggest that [alternative consideration].

I agree with [Student 1] that [shared point]; however, I believe this argument becomes stronger when we also consider [your addition].

[Student 2]’s point about [topic] is compelling, yet it fails to account for [limitation or complication].

Building on [Student 1]’s idea, I would add that [extension of their argument].

Reasoning — Develop Your Argument

Give one well-developed reason and its consequence

Do not list multiple points — go deep on one reason. Show its effect or significance clearly.

From my perspective, [reason]. This is crucial because [effect/result].

The reason I hold this view is that [explanation]. Without [condition], [negative consequence].

This matters because [significance]. When [condition], [result].

I believe this is significant because [reason], which ultimately leads to [outcome].

In my experience, [observation]. This suggests that [broader conclusion].

Example — Support Your Reasoning

Provide a brief, specific example

One or two sentences only. A personal experience, academic observation, or general example all work well.

For instance, in many [universities/cities/workplaces], [brief example].

A clear example of this can be seen in [context], where [outcome].

To illustrate, when I [personal experience], [what happened as a result].

Research suggests that [paraphrase of general finding], which supports this view.

This is evident in the case of [example], which demonstrates that [point].

Conclusion — Restate and Close

Echo your opening position in different words

Do not introduce new ideas. Close with a forward-looking or evaluative statement that reinforces your view.

Therefore, despite the benefits of [the other side], [restate your opinion] is a more [practical/sustainable/effective] approach.

In conclusion, while [alternative view] has its merits, [your position] offers a more compelling solution because [brief reason].

For these reasons, I remain convinced that [position], particularly in the context of [broader relevance].

Ultimately, [position] is not only [adjective] but also [adjective], making it the stronger choice.

All things considered, [restate your view] — a perspective I believe the evidence clearly supports.

Full Sample Response — Annotated by Section

Topic: Gradual exposure vs. structured support for overcoming fear

Opening

While I appreciate the points made by both Sunny and Locke, I strongly believe that gradual exposure is the more effective approach for long-term growth.

Engagement

Specifically, Locke mentioned that structured support reduces confusion, which is valid, but I think it overlooks the fact that relying too heavily on external guidance can prevent an individual from developing internal resilience.

Reasoning

From my perspective, facing a fear independently allows a person to internalise their success. When we pace ourselves without a rigid external plan, we learn to trust our own instincts and boundaries. This builds a type of authentic confidence that structured accountability simply cannot replicate.

Example

For instance, when I first started public speaking, following a strict coach’s plan felt mechanical. However, by gradually increasing my audience size on my own terms, I truly conquered my anxiety.

Conclusion

Therefore, despite the benefits of professional guidance, gradual exposure is a more sustainable approach because it fosters genuine self-reliance.

Vocabulary — Task 3 Academic Discussion

Stance openers

I strongly believe thatI am firmly of the view thatI would argue thatI am convinced thatI hold the view that

Engagement phrases

specifically, [name] mentioned thatwhich is valid but overlooksbuilding on [name]’s ideafails to account for

Reasoning linkers

from my perspectivethis is crucial becausethe reason I hold this view isthis matters becausein my experience

Academic collocations

internal resilienceauthentic confidenceexternal guidancestructured accountabilitygenuine self-reliancefosters independenceinternalise their success

Example phrases

for instanceto illustratea clear example of thisthis is evident inresearch suggests that

Conclusion phrases

therefore, despite the benefits ofall things consideredfor these reasons I remain convincedultimatelya more sustainable approach

Linking Words — Task 3

Addition

moreoverfurthermorein additionwhat is morenot only... but also

Contrast

howeverneverthelesson the other handwhereasthat being said

Concession

althoughwhileeven thoughadmittedlygranted that

Cause and result

consequentlythereforeas a resultdue tothis leads to

Emphasis

above allin particularcruciallyit is worth noting thatsignificantly

Sequence

firstlysubsequentlyfurthermorefinallyin addition to this