On this page
1. What is Write an Email?
Write an Email is Writing Task 2 on the updated TOEFL 2026 exam. On the screen you see:
- a short situation (for example, feedback to a library, a problem with a product, or a team lunch), and
- 3–4 bullet points you must cover in your email.
You type a complete email in a text box, including a subject line, greeting, several short paragraphs, and a closing with your name. The slide on page 1 shows a screenshot of the interface with "Task 2: Write an Email" at the top and an email box on the right.
Goal of the task
Write a polite, goal-focused email that addresses every bullet in the prompt, using clear structure, appropriate tone, and accurate grammar.
2. Task details, timing & scoring
How much time?
- You have 7 minutes to write the email.
- There is only one Write an Email task in the entire test.
- You can see a word-count tool in the corner of the response box, but there is no fixed word limit; "write as much as you can in complete sentences."
0–5 scale
The slide on page 3 gives the scoring levels:
- 5 – Fully addresses all bullets; clear organization; professional tone; few or no errors.
- 4 – Addresses most bullets; generally clear; minor issues with tone or language.
- 3 – Covers basics but uneven detail or organization; noticeable language errors.
- 2 – Misses bullets; weak structure or tone; many errors.
- 1 – Minimal control; off topic or largely incomplete.
- 0 – No response.
What raters look for
- Did you cover every bullet point in the prompt?
- Is your email well organized with short, clear paragraphs?
- Is the tone polite and appropriate for the situation?
- Is your grammar and vocabulary accurate enough to understand easily?
3. What Write an Email tests
According to the strategy slides, this task checks your ability to write in a realistic, professional style while following instructions.
Organizing an email
- Subject line that clearly reflects the topic.
- First paragraph that states the purpose of your email.
- Middle paragraphs that address each bullet with details.
- Final paragraph with a request or next step plus thanks, followed by a closing.
Using appropriate tone
- Matching the formality of the situation (usually formal or semi-formal).
- Being polite and solution-focused instead of emotional or blaming.
Editing your writing
- Correcting names, verb tenses, and punctuation.
- Replacing vague words like "thing" with specific terms such as "document" or "issue."
4. Core strategies for Writing Task 2
Use correct email structure
Page 4 of the slides emphasizes email conventions.
- Start with an appropriate greeting: Dear Ms. Rivera, / Hello Mr. Chen,
- Use 2–3 sentence paragraphs:
- First paragraph: purpose – why you are writing.
- Middle paragraph(s): details addressing each bullet.
- Last paragraph: request or next step + thanks.
- End with a polite closing: Best regards, / Sincerely, and your name.
Choose a professional tone
Page 5 gives examples of upgrading informal language.
- Instead of "I have a problem," say: I encountered a technical issue.
- Use polite requests:
- Could you please…
- I'd appreciate it if you could…
- Use transitions to connect ideas: However, Additionally, As a next step…
- Avoid blame; focus on solutions: describe what happened and suggest what could be improved.
Proofread before you submit
Page 6 recommends a final check for names, tenses, and clarity.
- Check names and addresses: Mr. Johnson, not Mr. Jonhson.
- Fix verb tense and agreement:
- Incorrect: He ask me for the report yesterday. I have send it today.
- Correct: He asked me for the report yesterday. I have sent it today.
- Replace vague words with precise ones:
- "document," "task," "issue" instead of "thing."
- "several technical issues" instead of "a lot of problems."
Follow the 7-minute timing plan
The timing slide (page 7) gives a clear plan.
- First 30–40 seconds: Read the task carefully. Underline or note all bullet points.
- Minutes 1–5: Write the email. Use short paragraphs and cover every bullet. Do not spend extra time planning; start writing immediately.
- Minutes 6–7: Proofread. Check tone, grammar, vocabulary, and whether you addressed all bullets.
5. Email templates you can use
Pages 8–11 of the deck provide ready-made sentence stems for common TOEFL email situations. Below is a compact version you can memorize and adapt.
Follow-up emails
- Purpose:
- I'm following up on my previous message about…
- I'm writing to follow up on my earlier email regarding…
- Context:
- In my previous email, I asked about…
- I just wanted to confirm if there are any updates.
- Request:
- Please let me know if I need to take any further action.
- I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Apology emails
- Purpose:
- I'm writing to apologize for…
- Please accept my apologies for…
- Context:
- The delay was caused by…
- Unfortunately, I wasn't able to… because…
- Next step:
- I'd be grateful if you could let me know how I can fix this.
- Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Complaint / problem emails
- Purpose:
- I'm writing to let you know about a problem I've experienced with…
- I'd like to report an issue regarding…
- Context:
- The issue occurred when I…
- Unfortunately, the [product/service] did not work as expected.
- Request:
- Could you please look into this issue?
- Could you please replace / refund / fix / clarify…?
Request / inquiry emails
- Purpose:
- I'm writing to ask about…
- I'd like to get more information regarding…
- I'm contacting you to find out if…
- Context:
- I saw your announcement about…
- I heard from [source] that…
- Request:
- Could you please tell me…?
- Would it be possible to…?
- I was wondering whether you could provide…
6. Sample TOEFL email with commentary
Pages 12–13 of the slides give a full example task about a team lunch and a model email.
Team Lunch – Task summary
You took your team to a new restaurant recommended by your coworker, Kevin, but the food was disappointing and the service was slow. You must email Kevin to:
- Explain what was wrong with the restaurant.
- Describe the team's reaction.
- Suggest alternative lunch arrangements.
To: Kevin Subject: Team Lunch Experience
Model email
Subject: Team Lunch Experience
Greeting: Dear Kevin,
I hope you are doing well. I wanted to thank you for recommending the new restaurant for our team lunch. However, I feel I should inform you about the experience so we can plan future lunches more effectively.
Unfortunately, the visit did not meet our expectations. The food quality was lower than anticipated, with some dishes arriving cold and under-seasoned, and the service was slower than usual.
The team's reaction reflected these issues. While everyone appreciated the chance to get together, many were disappointed by the combination of slow service and the quality of the meals.
For our upcoming team lunches, I suggest we consider alternative options. We could either return to some of our previously enjoyed restaurants or explore new places that have consistently positive reviews.
Thank you again for your suggestion, and I hope this feedback is helpful for planning future team events.
Closing: Best regards,
[Your Name]
Why this works:
The sample email addresses all three bullets, uses clear paragraphs, and keeps a polite and collaborative tone. It explains the problem without blaming Kevin and ends with constructive suggestions for the future—exactly what TOEFL raters want to see.
7. Practice routine for Writing Task 2
Step 1 – Collect scenarios
- Create short prompts like: "You attended a community event with problems," "Your online order arrived damaged," "You want information about a workshop."
- Write 3–4 bullet points for each prompt, similar to the TOEFL task style.
Step 2 – Write timed emails
- Set a timer for 7 minutes and write the full email using the structure and templates above.
- Use 2–4 sentence paragraphs and make sure you cover every bullet.
Step 3 – Proofread using the checklist
- Names and addresses correct?
- Every bullet addressed with clear detail?
- Tone polite and professional, with transitions like However, Additionally, As a next step?
- Verb tenses and punctuation correct?
Step 4 – Compare to scoring levels
- Use the 5–1 scale description to evaluate your own emails.
- Ask: What would I need to change to move this from a "3" to a "4" or from a "4" to a "5"?
8. Frequently asked questions
Where to practice Write an Email?
More than 100+ Write an Email samples with scoring and explanations you can find on testsucceed.com.
Is there a specific word limit for the email?
The slides do not give a fixed word limit; they say "Write as much as you can and in complete sentences." Most successful responses use around 120–180 words, but you should focus on covering all bullets clearly within the 7-minute limit.
Should I always use a very formal style?
Many prompts are formal (for example, writing to a library or company), but some—like the team lunch email to Kevin—are semi-formal. Match the tone of the situation: friendly but respectful for coworkers, more formal for organizations or people you do not know well.
Can I use contractions like "I'm" and "don't"?
Contractions are acceptable in semi-formal and many formal emails, especially when writing to one person. The slides themselves use contractions in sample sentences, so it is safe to use them as long as the overall tone stays polite.
What if I don't finish my email?
You can still receive points even if the email is not perfect, but missing bullets or having no closing can lower your score. Focus on covering all bullet points first, then add extra details if you have time.
How important is spelling and grammar accuracy?
Some errors are acceptable, but if there are "many errors" that make your email hard to follow, the score drops to 2 or below. Use the final minute or two to fix the most obvious mistakes, especially verb tenses and subject–verb agreement.
