Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
The two clues in every letter task
ielts.org says the style you use depends on who you are asked to write to and how well you are supposed to know them: writing to a friend is personal, and writing to a manager is semi-formal or formal (ielts.org). IDP adds that the formality is not stated outright, so you work it out from the question (IDP).
The second clue is the last line of the task. IDP explains that 'Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,' signals a formal letter, while an informal task just gives 'Dear ...,' for you to complete (IDP Australia).
| What the task shows | Tone | Source |
|---|---|---|
| You write to someone you do not know, and the task gives 'Dear Sir or Madam' | Formal | IDP |
| You write to a friend or family member, and the task gives 'Dear ...' | Personal (informal) | ielts.org, IDP |
| You write to someone you know in a work role, such as a manager or colleague | Semi-formal (or formal) | ielts.org, IDP |
Why the tone affects your band
The Writing key assessment criteria say Task Achievement for the letter checks whether you consistently use a tone appropriate to the task. IDP warns that being too casual in a formal letter, or too formal in a letter to a friend, will affect your marks (IDP Australia).
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Keep the greeting and closing in the same style
IDP says the greeting and the closing must match the style: 'Dear Sir/Madam' goes with 'Yours faithfully', and 'Dear John' goes with 'Best wishes' (IDP). See Yours faithfully or Yours sincerely for the full pairing, and the formal, semi-formal and informal letter samples to see each tone in use.
Frequently asked questions
Does the IELTS letter question tell you whether to be formal?+
Not in so many words. IDP says you need to work it out from the situation, the reader and the greeting the task gives you.
Is a 'personal' letter the same as an informal letter?+
ielts.org calls the letter to a friend 'personal'; IDP calls the same kind of letter informal. Both mean a letter to someone you know well.
What does 'Dear Sir or Madam' in the task mean?+
That you are writing to someone you do not know, so the letter should be formal, according to IDP.
Can I lose marks for the wrong tone?+
Yes. Tone is part of Task Achievement for the letter, and IDP says a tone that is too casual or too formal for the reader affects your marks.
Keep reading
Related
- What is a semi-formal IELTS letter?
- Formal and informal words for IELTS letters
- IELTS General Task 1 band descriptors
- IELTS letter samples
- All 3112 guides
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