Hi, I’m Jonathan Mitchell, IELTS examiner and writing specialist.
In the IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, your success depends largely on choosing the right letter type and using an appropriate tone.
Many candidates lose marks because they write too formally to a friend or too casually to a company.
In this guide, I’ll explain the differences between Formal, Semi-Formal, and Informal letters, show you the correct tone and structure for each, and share Band 9 examples to help you write confidently.
Letter type determines:
IELTS examiners mark you on whether your tone matches the context — using “Hey, how are you?” in a complaint letter will immediately lower your Task Achievement and Lexical Resource scores.
The situation and relationship in the question tell you the type.
Clue in the Question | Letter Type | Example |
Writing to a company, manager, or authority | Formal | Write to your local council to complain about noise pollution. |
Writing to a landlord, teacher, or colleague | Semi-Formal | Write to your supervisor to ask for time off. |
Writing to a friend or relative | Informal | Write to a friend inviting them to your wedding. |
✅ Band 8 Tip: Ask yourself: Would I use their first name in real life?
If yes → Informal or Semi-Formal.
If no → Formal.
Purpose: For professional or official communication.
Examples: Complaints, job applications, requests, or enquiries.
Tone: Polite, direct, and professional.
Avoid contractions (don’t → do not), slang, or personal remarks.
Structure:
Part | Example |
Salutation | Dear Sir or Madam, (unknown name) / Dear Mr Brown, |
Opening line | I am writing to express my concern about… |
Body paragraph 1 | Explain reason for writing or background. |
Body paragraph 2 | Provide details or request. |
Closing line | I look forward to your response. |
Sign-off | Yours faithfully (unknown name) / Yours sincerely (known name) |
Band 9 Example:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to report an issue with the streetlights outside my building, which have not been functioning for over a week. The lack of lighting poses a safety risk for residents returning home late.
I would appreciate it if the council could send a maintenance team to inspect and repair the lights as soon as possible.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours faithfully,
Jonathan Mitchell
✅ Band 9 Tip: Keep the tone polite but assertive — avoid emotional or exaggerated language.
Purpose: When writing to someone you know but in a professional or respectful setting.
Examples: Teachers, neighbours, supervisors, or landlords.
Tone: Polite but slightly friendly. Avoid slang or overly casual phrases.
Structure:
Part | Example |
Salutation | Dear Mr Smith, / Dear Ms Carter, |
Opening line | I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing regarding… |
Body paragraph 1 | Explain reason or situation. |
Body paragraph 2 | Make request or suggestion politely. |
Closing line | I would be grateful if you could… / Thank you in advance for your help. |
Sign-off | Best regards, / Yours sincerely, |
Band 9 Example:
Dear Mr Hughes,
I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing to request a few days of annual leave in September to attend my sister’s wedding abroad. I have already ensured that my projects will be completed before my departure.
Please let me know if you require any supporting documents or if adjustments to the schedule are needed. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Best regards,
Jonathan Mitchell
✅ Band 8 Tip: The key is balance — professional but personal enough to sound natural.
Purpose: For friendly, personal communication.
Examples: Invitations, updates, congratulations, or apologies to friends or relatives.
Tone: Warm, friendly, natural. Use contractions and simple linking phrases (actually, by the way, anyway).
Structure:
Part | Example |
Salutation | Hi Emma, / Dear Alex, |
Opening line | Hope you’re doing great! It’s been ages since we last spoke. |
Body paragraph 1 | Give main reason for writing. |
Body paragraph 2 | Add details, feelings, or follow-up questions. |
Closing line | Take care and write soon! |
Sign-off | Best wishes, / Lots of love, / Cheers, |
Band 9 Example:
Hi Anna,
How have you been? It feels like forever since our last catch-up! I wanted to tell you that I’ve finally moved to Brighton and started my new job at the design studio.
The city is lovely — lots of cosy cafés and seaside walks. You’d love it here! Are you free next month to visit? We could explore the old town and grab dinner by the pier.
Can’t wait to hear from you.
Love,
Jonathan
✅ Band 9 Tip: Write naturally, as if to a real person. Avoid memorised templates that sound robotic.
Feature | Formal | Semi-Formal | Informal |
Greeting | Dear Sir/Madam | Dear Mr Brown | Hi Tom |
Contractions | Not used | Rare | Common |
Politeness level | Very polite | Respectful | Friendly |
Sign-off | Yours faithfully/sincerely | Best regards | Love / Cheers |
Vocabulary | Professional | Polite, direct | Simple, idiomatic |
Example phrase | I would appreciate it if… | Could you please… | Can you…? |
Mistake | Impact | Fix |
Mixing tones | Lowers Task Achievement | Identify audience before writing |
Using slang in formal letters | Breaks register | Replace with neutral expressions |
Forgetting sign-off | Feels incomplete | Always close politely |
Not addressing bullet points | Lowers score | Plan 2–3 sentences per point |
Overly long openings | Wastes time | Go straight to the reason for writing |
Identify each type:
1️⃣ Write to your manager to request flexible working hours. → Semi-Formal
2️⃣ Write to your friend to apologise for missing an event. → Informal
3️⃣ Write to your local newspaper about a public issue. → Formal
✅ Challenge: Write one short opening line for each tone.
Before you finish your letter:
If yes, you’ve mastered tone — one of the hardest aspects of IELTS letter writing.
Understanding Letter Types: Formal, Semi-Formal & Informal helps you adapt your tone instantly and avoid the most common Task 1 mistakes.
Once you recognise the tone, the rest of the writing becomes natural and easy.
Next, move on to Structure of a Letter to learn how to organise ideas and paragraphs effectively for each letter type.
You can also revisit the IELTS Writing Overview: Format, Scoring & Key Skills or review real examples on IELTS.org.
Identify and correct the mistakes below:
✅ Answers:
Grammar is the foundation of IELTS Writing success.
The examiner isn’t looking for perfection — they want to see variety, accuracy, and control.
Now that you’ve mastered the essentials of Grammar for IELTS Writing, your next step is to strengthen vocabulary and lexical range with Paraphrasing for Introductions.
Or revisit the IELTS Writing Overview: Format, Scoring & Key Skills mother page for a complete pathway.
For verified assessment criteria, consult IELTS.org.
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