IELTS General DÀNH CHO CÁC ĐỐI TƯỢNG THI VỚI MỤC ĐÍCH ĐỊNH CƯ, LÀM VIỆC TẠI NƯỚC NGOÀI

How To Write an Informal IELTS Letter

1. Is it an informal letter?

The only time you will be writing an informal letter is if the instructions tell you to write to ‘a

friend’. In all other situations you will either write a formal letter.

Look at the four examples below and pick the one which is informal.

The first and third letters are to someone we don’t know and they are therefore formal.

In the second letter, you are writing to your manager. Many people are friends with their

managers, but please disregard this when writing IELTS letters. In this case, ‘manager’ is the

same as colleague or co-worker and the letter will, therefore, be formal.

The last letter specifically mentions ‘friend’ and we can, therefore, use an informal tone.

You could say that IELTS are trying to trick you with this letter because they want you to write

about a work related topic, but don’t allow them to trick you. When it says ‘write a letter to

a friend’, make sure you always use informal language.

2. Planning an Informal IELTS Letter

It might seem like a waste of valuable time, but planning is an essential part of the IELTS

writing paper. Most people don’t plan and they normally get lost in the middle of their writing

and waste lots of time trying to make their writing clear and organised. Remember that your

letter must be well organised and easy to read and a plan will really help you with this and

actually save you time.

Below is the structure I advise all of my General Training IELTS students to follow when doing

task 1.

Dear [First name only of friend]

Paragraph 1- Say why you are writing to them (I’m just writing to let you know that….)

Paragraph 2- Bullet point 1 and supporting details

Paragraph 3- Bullet point 2 and supporting details

Paragraph 4- Bullet point 3 and supporting details

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

All the best

[Your first name only]

You shouldn’t need to change this structure and you can use it again and again for any

informal task 1 answer. Try making a plan before you start writing and use it to plan your

answers. All you have to do then is think of the supporting details for paragraphs 2, 3 and 4

and write your answer.

3. Informal Language

Informal language does not mean you can relax and write like you would in a text message to

a friend. Remember that this is an English test and your grammar and spelling will have to be

correct.

Avoid using abbreviations like ‘luv’ or ‘bcuz’. Also, don’t use acronyms like ‘LOL’ or ‘OMG’

and never use emoticons

It is a good idea to use contractions like ‘I’ve’, ‘I’d’ and ‘I’m’. This is one of the ways that you

can show the examiner that you know how to write an informal letter.

Below is a range of informal language that you can use in your informal letters. Which ones

you use will depend on the context.

Stating Purpose

I’m just writing to let you know that….

I’m writing to tell you about….

Apologising

I’m very sorry about…..

I’d like to apologise for….

Asking for help

I’d be really grateful if you could…..

I was wondering if you would give me a hand with…..

I was wondering if you would do me a favour.

Expressing Satisfaction

I was over the moon to hear about….

I was thrilled to find out that/about……

Giving bad news

I’m afraid I’ve a bit of bad news for you.

Ending

All the best.

Keep in touch.

4. Band 9 Sample Informal Letter

You have recently started work in a new company.

Write a letter to an English-speaking friend. In your letter

• explain why you changed jobs

• describe your new job

• tell him/her your other news

Dear Tom

I’m just writing to let you know I quit my old job and found something new.

I was really fed up with being a brain surgeon because it wasn’t really much of a challenge

anymore. You know me; if I’m not learning new tricks, I get bored too easily and have to find

something new.

I’m now teaching English as a foreign language in Vietnam and it suits me down to the ground.

I teach two adult classes and a kindergarten class, which is not only challenging but also

rewarding too. Can you believe it?

I also have some other amazing news- I’m getting married. She was one of my first ever

students and I guess it was love at first sight for both of us. Make sure you keep the first

weekend in July free, so you can come and celebrate with us.

Keep in touch

Chris

(150 words)

How To Write a Formal IELTS Letter

1. Planning a Formal Letter

People don’t normally plan letters but in the IELTS test you really should. In fact, I have met

very few students who wrote a band 9 letter and didn’t make a plan before writing.

As you can see above, all task 1 questions on the General Training paper follow the same

format. They will first tell you the situation (the reason why you are writing) and then give

you three bullet points that you have to cover. This is good news for us because it means we

can follow the same structure every time.

Here is the formal letter structure I tell all of my General Training IELTS students to follow.

Dear Sir/Madam

Paragraph 1- Say why you are writing to them. (I am writing with regard to…)

Paragraph 2- Bullet point 1 and supporting details

Paragraph 3- Bullet point 2 and supporting details

Paragraph 4- Bullet point 3 and supporting details

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

[Your Full Name]

That’s it. It will take you only a few minutes to write this out in the exam and then all you

have to do is think of the supporting details.

When thinking of supporting details don’t worry about being entertaining or even thinking of

the best ideas you can, just make sure they are relevant.

2. Useful Language

Below is a selection of useful language for you to use in a formal letter. The phrases you

choose will depend on the context of the question.

Beginning

• I am writing this letter with regard to…

• I am writing to bring to your attention…

• I am writing to inform you that…

• I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…..

Requests and Suggestions

• I would be grateful if you would…

• I would like you to…

• I am entitled to request that you….

• I was wondering if it would be at all possible to….

• I would like to suggest that….

Ending

• I look forward to hearing from you.

• I look forward to receiving your response.

• I await your prompt service.

• I thank you for your consideration.

• Please respond at the earliest convenience.

3. Band 9 Sample Formal Letter

On a recent holiday you lost a valuable item. Fortunately, you have travel insurance to

cover the cost of anything lost.

Write a letter to the manager of your insurance company. In your letter

• describe the item you lost

• explain how you lost it

• tell the insurance company what you would like them to do

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to inform you that I recently lost my digital camera while on holiday in Vietnam.

The camera is a black Canon 70d and cost $1550 when I bought it new last month. It has a

resolution of 20 megapixels, a Canon 67 millimeter lens and was in a brown leather case with

my name on it.

I lost it when I was having coffee with my husband in the backpacker area of Ho Chi Minh

City. I believe the coffee shop was called Highlands Coffee and it was on Pham Ngu Lao Street.

We had been at the coffee shop for around 45 minutes when I noticed it was missing.

I am entitled to make a claim for the value of the above mentioned item and request that you

send me details on what I need to do to in order to proceed.

I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully

John Smith

(162 words)

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