Level 5 — Advanced · Technical & Evidence-Based Writing
Task 64: Writing a Recommendation with the Right Modal
Write a short policy or recommendation passage using should, must, may, and could precisely — the modal system Lesson 64 taught you to read.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this task, you should be able to:
- Choose the modal verb that matches the real strength of a recommendation, rule, or permission
- State a policy's scope and one exception clearly
- Separate a fact from a recommendation in the same passage
Introduction
Lesson 64 taught you that "should," "must," "may," and "could" each do a different job — obligation, permission, possibility, recommendation. This task asks you to write a short passage that uses each modal deliberately, not interchangeably.
The Rule, for Writing
Core Concept
Use "must" for obligation, "should" for a recommendation short of obligation, "may" for permission or possibility, and "could" for a weaker possibility or option. State one fact plainly (no modal), then one rule with "must," then one recommendation with "should," and name at least one exception using "unless" or "except."
Example
All shipments must be logged before leaving the warehouse. Drivers should confirm the delivery address by phone before departure, unless the customer has already confirmed it in writing. Drivers may take an alternate route if the main road is closed.
Your Turn
Your Turn
Write a short policy passage for a real or realistic workplace scenario. Include: one plain fact (no modal), one obligation ("must"), one recommendation ("should"), one permission or possibility ("may" or "could"), and one stated exception ("unless" or "except").
Vocabulary in Context
obligationnounformal
something a rule requires, not merely suggests (বাধ্যবাধকতা)
Often with legal obligation, meet an obligation, obligation to
“The carrier has an obligation to notify the consignee within a day.”
exceptionnounneutral
a stated case where the general rule does not apply (ব্যতিক্রম)
Often with with the exception of, make an exception, notable exception
“With one exception, all berths met the target.”
Model Answer
Show a model answer
All incoming containers are scanned automatically on arrival. Staff must log any scanning error before the container leaves the yard. Staff should also photograph visible damage at intake, unless the container is being transferred directly to another vessel without unloading. In urgent cases, a supervisor may authorise release before the full paperwork is complete, though this remains the exception rather than the norm.
Self-Check
Self-Check
- Did you include one plain fact stated without a modal verb?
- Did "must" and "should" mark genuinely different strengths, not used interchangeably?
- Did you state at least one exception using "unless" or "except"?
- Did you write directly in English, without composing the passage in Bangla first?
Next: Writing 65 — Writing an Evaluation with a Named Criterion: never calling something "better" without saying better at what.