Structure and tone
How to write an IELTS semi-formal letter
- →Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.
- →Polite and friendly at once: a few contractions are fine, slang is not. Close with Yours sincerely or Kind regards.
- →State the purpose in the first two sentences; small talk costs words you need for the bullets.
The outline every sample here follows
- 1.Salutation: Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.
- 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.
61 to 88 of 88
All IELTS semi-formal letter samples
- Letter to manager proposing reception area improvementsThere have been several complaints about the reception area where visitors to your company arrive. Your manager has asked you to suggest how the reception area could be improved.semi-formal · advice
- Letter to Manager Regarding Recent Employment IssuesYou recently took a part-time job working for a local company. After a few weeks, you realized there were some problems with the job.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to manager regarding staff uniform dissatisfactionYour company has recently introduced a new uniform for the staff. But you have learned that the staff members are not happy about it.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to manager requesting a computer replacementYou have been working in a company for the last two years. Recently, your computer in the office has started giving some problems and it is affecting your work performance.semi-formal · request
- Letter to Manager Requesting a Staff Relaxation RoomYou have noticed a room at your company office that can be used as a relaxation room.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting an internal department transferYou started in your present job two years ago. You now feel it is important for your career development to move to a different department in the same company.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting data analytics training for logisticsYou work for an international company. You have seen an advertisement for a training course which will be useful for your job.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting emergency leave of absenceYou are experiencing a family emergency and need to take a week off work at short notice.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting emergency personal leaveYou have a family emergency and need some time off work.semi-formal · request
- Letter to Manager Requesting Extended Personal LeaveYou need to take leave from your work for over one month for personal reasons.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting guidance regarding workplace conflictYou Are Experiencing Problems with A Colleague at Work and You Want to Ask Your Boss for Some Advice.semi-formal · advice
- Letter to manager requesting permission for a presentationYou recently attended a conference and you would like to give a presentation about the information you gained by attending the conference.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting professional development trainingYou work for a company. You have seen some information online about a training course that would be useful for your work.semi-formal · request
- Letter to manager requesting to present conference findingsYou recently attended a conference and you would like to give a presentation in your office about the information you gained by attending the conference.semi-formal · request
- Letter to Manager Suggesting Farewell Party ArrangementsOne of your colleagues is leaving for a new job, and your manager has asked you to arrange a farewell party for him/her.semi-formal · making arrangements
- Letter to meeting organizer regarding unsatisfactory hotel accommodationYou Have a Complaint About the Hotel You Stayed at While Attending a Meeting that The Organizer of A Company Meeting Booked.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to neighbors regarding recent noise complaintsYour neighbors have recently written to you to complain about the noise from your house/ flat.semi-formal · apology
- Letter to neighbors regarding shared parking area concernsYou share a parking area with several neighbors and have recently started having problems.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to Supervisor Requesting Early Semester LeaveYou are studying overseas. You need to return to your country before the end of the semester for a family event.semi-formal · request
- Letter to teacher explaining incomplete essay assignmentYou have an evening class and your teacher gave you an essay to work on for the weekend. However, you were not able to finish the essay.semi-formal · apology
- Letter to teacher returning a borrowed textbookYou Recently Completed a Course and Borrowed a Book from Your Teacher that You Couldn't Return in Time. You Would Like to Return the Book Now.semi-formal · apology
- Letter to team leader regarding product presentation absenceYou are a part of a product development team and there is an event for product presentation coming up but you can not attend the event.semi-formal · apology
- Letter to volunteer coordinator resigning from community dutiesYou have been doing some voluntary work to help your local community. However, now you are unable to continue doing this work.semi-formal · other
- Recommendation Letter for a Friend Applying for WorkOne of your friends wants to apply for a job involving working with foreign teenagers.semi-formal · other
- Requesting a job reference from a former teacherYou are applying for a job and need a letter of reference.semi-formal · request
- Requesting a job reference from a former university lecturerYou are applying for a job and need a letter of reference from someone who knew you when you were at college.semi-formal · request
- Requesting a six-month transfer to the head officeYou work for an international company and would like to spend six months working in its head office in another country.semi-formal · request
- Requesting Further Language Training from a ManagerYou and your colleagues have recently attended a foreign language training course organized by your company. Now you all want to do some more language training.semi-formal · request
Frequently asked questions
When do I write a semi-formal letter?+
Semi-formal letters go to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour. Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname.
How should I structure an IELTS semi-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
- Formal letters · 266
- 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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