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CELPIP Writing Course · Lesson 2 of 9

Planning in 3 Minutes

By CELPass Editorial Team · 2 min read · Updated

Three minutes of planning saves far more than three minutes of rewriting. This lesson gives you a planning routine for both tasks.

The routine

  1. Read the prompt twice. The second time, underline who you are writing to and what each bullet asks.
  2. Decide the tone: formal (company, manager you don't know), semi-formal (colleague, landlord you know), or informal (friend, family).
  3. Write one line per paragraph: what it covers and one detail you will add.
  4. Check: does every bullet point have a paragraph?

A sample plan for Task 1

Original CELPass prompt: your building's laundry room has been broken for two weeks. Write to the property manager. Describe the problem, explain how it affects you, and say what you want them to do.

  • Tone: formal. Opening: Dear Ms. Grant.
  • Para 1, purpose: writing about laundry room, unit 504.
  • Para 2, problem: 2 of 3 machines broken since 1 March, third leaks.
  • Para 3, effect: laundromat 3 km away, $25/week, 2 hours every Saturday.
  • Para 4, request: repair by end of month + partial rent credit; available for call.
  • Close: Thank you for your attention… Sincerely, Daniel

Typing time

With a plan, about 18–20 minutes is enough to type 170–190 words for most people, leaving 3–4 minutes to check. If you type slowly, practise with a timer now; slow typing is easy to improve before test day and costs a lot on it.

Key points

  • Read twice; identify the reader and every bullet.
  • Pick the tone before you write.
  • One plan line per paragraph, with a detail.

Exercise

Choose the tone for each reader: formal, semi-formal or informal.

  1. The customer service department of an airline.
  2. Your neighbour, whom you chat with every week.
  3. Your best friend from college.
  4. The organiser of a community event you've never met.
Show answers
  1. Formal
  2. Semi-formal
  3. Informal
  4. Formal

Practise with free questions

Free questions in the CELPIP format, with answers and no account needed. Try a few now, while the lesson is fresh.

All lessons in this course

  1. How CELPIP Writing Is Scored
  2. Planning in 3 Minutes
  3. Task 1: How to Structure the Email
  4. Formal, Semi-Formal and Informal Tone
  5. Task 2: Answering the Survey Question
  6. Paragraphs and Linking Words
  7. Precise Vocabulary Without Risk
  8. Grammar Errors That Cost the Most
  9. Timing and the Final Check

CELPass is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIP is a trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. Check the official CELPIP website and IRCC for current test rules and requirements.