IELTS Tips: Formal vs. Personal Letters
Task 1 of the IELTS Writing Test is one of the few pieces of the test that will be different for those taking the academic test and those taking the general test.
Where academic test takers are asked to describe a graph, chart, map, and diagram, general test takers are asked to compose a letter. However, the situations involved in these letters can be vary widely. Today we’ll look at some different types of letters you may be asked to write and give you some tips on how to write an excellent IELTS Writing Task 1.
The first thing you should decide when you are given your letter writing task, is what level of formality is required. This will determine what type of vocabulary you should use, what kind of greeting will be appropriate, and whether you can use contractions.
Formal letters
These are usually letters addressed to someone you don’t know. This is often the manager of a business, a customer service representative, or someone else in a position of authority or knowledge. You might be asked to write a letter making a complaint, requesting information, or giving a recommendation.
For this type of letter, try to use longer sentences with passive grammar structures. For example, instead of “Can you give me my money back?” you could say “I want to know if it would be possible to have my money refunded.” These letters begin formally with “Dear Sir or Madam,” or “To Whom It May Concern”.
More formal vocabulary words are appropriate when writing a formal letter to someone who you do not know personally. Words like request, purchase, and respond are more appropriate in these letters than ask, buy, and reply.
Personal letters
These letters are quite different. These letters are usually addressed to someone that you know personally. This is often a friend, a family member, or perhaps a classmate. These people are not in a position of knowledge or authority, so you must write to them in a way that shows you are on the same level. Start with “Hey Susan,” or “Dear Rebecca,”
For this type of letter, use a more conversational tone, including reductions and contractions like I’ll instead of I will, won’t instead of will not, and we’re instead of we are. Personal writing often sounds like a casual conversation. Instead of “What time are you available to meet me?” you might say “When are you free to meet up?”
In personal letters, the vocabulary should not become too formal (ask and buy instead of request and purchase) however, it’s still important to use good vocabulary words to get a good score. In a personal letter, try using your strong vocabulary for adjectives instead. For example, “I bought an enormous new TV” or “She asked a ridiculous question”
Paragraphing
Don’t forget that even casual letters to friends and family need paragraphs. Paragraphs make a text easier for readers to absorb and understand. In IELTS, a four-paragraph structure for letters (both formal and personal) is practical. In the first paragraph, explain your reason for writing, then try to mirror the question’s bullet points in your following paragraphs for an easy way to break up your letters.
For example, this writing task:
You might start you letter with a casual greeting like “Dear Sam,” then move on to a short paragraph explaining the main point of your letter (I got a new job, isn’t that exciting?). Next, you can write three short paragraphs: one for each bullet point.
The first one will explain why you made the change. Are you making more money? Maybe you got fired or moved to a new city. The next paragraph will tell Sam something about your new job. Maybe they give all their employees free lunch, or maybe you have a great view from your office window. Finally, your last paragraph will ask your friend to get together to celebrate. Invite Sam for dinner or coffee.
Signing off
To finish your letter, don’t forget to sign off.
For a formal letter, use something like “Yours Sincerely” and for a personal letter something like “Warmest regards”.
That’s all for today’s post. Good luck in your studies and thanks for reading!
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