IELTS FORMAL LETTER FORMAT
Initially, you must determine whether the question is truly requesting that you compose an official or informal letter.
This can be determined by evaluating whether or not we are aware of the circumstance and the name of the person we are writing to. For instance, it will always be formal if we are sending a letter of complaint, asking for a new job, or giving notice of our resignation from our current position. Additionally, the letter will be formal if we do not know the recipient’s name.
Although most people don’t plan letters, you should in the case of the IELTS exam. Very few students that I have encountered have written a band 9 letter without first creating a plan.
FORMAL LETTER FORMAT
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]
FORMAL LETTER FORMAT
That is all. Just a few minutes will be needed for you to do this in the exam; the only thing left to do is come up with the supporting details.
Don’t worry about coming up with the greatest ideas or even about being amusing while coming up with supporting details—just make sure they are pertinent.
Useful Language
Here is a list of appropriate wording that you can use in an official letter. The question’s context will influence the words you select.
FORMAL LETTER FORMAT
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.
FORMAL LETTER FORMAT
When responding to any General Training task 1 question, you should ask yourself the following questions.
– Have I read and comprehended the guidelines?
– Is this letter formal or informal?
– Have I prepared a plan?
– Have I mentioned the three bullet points and the purpose for writing?
– Have I included pertinent details to back up each bullet point?
– Have I used language that is appropriate?
– Have I numbered the paragraphs in my letter?
– Are my concepts understandable and clear?
– Have I changed up my vocabulary and refrained from replicating the question?
– Have I proofread my letter for errors in spelling and grammar?
FORMAL LETTER FORMAT
IELTS FORMAL SAMPLE LETTER
Write a letter to your college’s administration department complaining about the college’s facilities. In your letter include:
– What the problem is
– How this problem has affected you
– What the college should do to fix this problem
SAMPLE ANSWER
Dear Sir,
I am a third year computer science student and I am writing to complain about the inadequate facilities available at our laboratory. There are 60 students in our batch, but only 20 computers are available in the lab. As a result of this, each computer is shared by three students which severely limit our access to the machine.
As you probably know, computer science is more about gaining practice than about learning theory. Unfortunately, this shortage of computers seriously limits our chances of getting good practical knowledge. Library facilities, too, are inadequate. Computer science text books become obsolete in a matter of months because the technology is developing at such a fast pace. Although the library has a fair number of computer books, they are not up-to-date. Needless to say, we are forced to buy these costly text books on our own.
On behalf of my batch mates, I am requesting you to buy more computers and latest edition textbooks for the lab and the library.
Look forward for a prompt action from you regarding this matter!
Yours faithfully,
FORMAL LETTER FORMAT
FORMAL LETTER FORMAT