Structure and tone
How to write an IELTS formal letter
- →Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
- →If you know the person's surname, use Dear Mr or Ms and close with Yours sincerely.
- →No contractions, no slang; polite indirect requests such as I would be grateful if you could.
The outline every sample here follows
- 1.Salutation: Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
- 2.Opening: State the purpose of the letter in the first one or two sentences.
- 3.Body: One paragraph per bullet point, in the order given, each with a specific detail (a date, a name, a reason).
- 4.Closing line: Close with the action you want: I would appreciate a reply by Friday, or Let me know when you are free.
- 5.Sign-off: A sign-off that matches the salutation, then your name.
241 to 266 of 266
All IELTS formal letter samples
- Letter to store manager regarding unsatisfactory computer repairsYou recently had your computer fixed at a local computer store; however, you are not pleased with the service you received.formal · complaint
- Letter to store representative regarding incomplete camera packageYou recently bought a camera while travelling overseas. When you got to your destination you discovered that some important items were missing from the box.formal · complaint
- Letter to Student Services requesting a replacement ID cardYou have lost your student identification card. This has created some problems for you.formal · request
- Letter to taxi manager regarding lost important documentsYou recently used a taxi and left some important documents there.formal · request
- Letter to television station manager regarding programming qualityYou feel the evening programs on a local television station are uninteresting.formal · complaint
- Letter to the club manager opposing facility closureA sports club in your area is about to be closed and you oppose to that.formal · other
- Letter to the Editor Nominating a Community VolunteerYour local newspaper wants to reward people who have contributed a lot to the community.formal · other
- Letter to the Editor Opposing Airport Expansion PlansYou are unhappy about a plan to make your local airport bigger and increase the number of flights. You live near the airport.formal · complaint
- Letter to the Editor praising a local restaurantYou had a good meal at a local restaurant with your family.formal · other
- Letter to the editor regarding inaccurate city reportingRecently you saw an article in a newspaper/journal about a city/town you know and some of the information in the article was incorrect.formal · complaint
- Letter to the editor regarding public transportYou read an article in a local newspaper that you strongly disagree with.formal · complaint
- Letter to the Editor Regarding Town Center UniformityYou have just read an article in a national newspaper which claims that town centers in your country all look very similar to each other. You don't fully agree with this opinion.formal · other
- Letter to the Headteacher volunteering for school tripYour child is going on a trip to another country for a week. The school authority is looking for some parents who can join the trip. You are interested in going with the children.formal · application
- Letter to the local newspaper regarding shopping facilitiesYou normally go shopping in the area where you live. However, you think some of the facilities for shoppers could be improved there.formal · complaint
- Letter to the newspaper requesting a room rental advertisementYou have an extra room in your apartment and would like to rent it out to a student.formal · giving information
- Letter to the Principal Regarding Sports Facility ImprovementsYou are studying at a college which has very limited sports and leisure facilities for students.formal · request
- Letter to the Sports Center Manager regarding changing roomsYou are not satisfied with the changing rooms in the sports center that you visit.formal · complaint
- Letter to theatre manager regarding accident and staff assistanceYou recently visited a theatre and had an accident there. The staff was very helpful.formal · thanks
- Letter to Training Organiser Offering to Manage Social EventsYou are going on a month-long training program in the UK and know that the head of the course would like one of the participants to be the social events organizer.formal · application
- Letter to Training Organiser offering to run social events, from a student society chairYou are going on to a month-long training programme in the UK and know that the head of the course would like one of the participants to be the social events' organiser.formal · application
- Letter to University Admissions Regarding Education GapYou are applying to university but have a two-year gap in your education.formal · application
- Recommendation letter for a colleague seeking promotionA colleague is applying for a promotion and asked you for a recommendation.formal · other
- Requesting a two-year rental contract extensionYou have been living in a rented apartment for the last two years. Your rental agreement will expire in two months, but you want to extend it for another two years.formal · request
- Requesting Newspaper Publication for International Social MeetingsYou are about to start social meetings in a particular area where people from different nationalities can take part.formal · request
- Requesting Research Access to the London LibraryYou are going to travel to London for about one week and spend two days visiting the London Library. You are studying for a project and want to do some background studies.formal · request
- Requesting University Accommodation for an Incoming International StudentYou have been offered a place at a university and wish to find suitable accommodation.formal · request
Frequently asked questions
When do I write a formal letter?+
Formal letters go to an organisation, an official or someone you do not know. Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
How should I structure an IELTS formal letter?+
Open with the purpose in one sentence, then one paragraph per bullet point in the order given. Close with the action you want: I would appreciate a reply by Friday, or Let me know when you are free.
How many words and how long for the letter?+
At least 150 words in about 20 minutes; 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Leave 40 minutes for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.
How is the letter scored?+
Scored on task achievement (purpose clear, all bullets covered, tone consistent), coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. Task 1 is worth half of Task 2.
Keep going
Other IELTS letter types
- Semi-Formal letters · 88
- Informal letters · 129
- Complaint letters · 118
- Request letters · 103
- Information letters · 67
- Application letters · 42
- Apology letters · 31
- Advice letters · 28
- Arrangement letters · 25
- Invitation letters · 19
- Thank-You letters · 15
- Landlord letters · 20
- All IELTS letter samples
- IELTS General Training writing practice
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