Informal Letter Structure
This is the basic structure which will tell you how to start, frame and close an
informal letter. You should try to follow this while writing an informal letter:
Dear [First name only (of your friend)]
Paragraph 1 – Mention the reason why you’re writing to them. (I’m writing this
letter to tell you how …)
Paragraph 2 – Talk about 1st bullet point with supporting details
Paragraph 3 – Talk about 2nd bullet point with supporting details
Paragraph 4 – Talk about 3rd bullet point with supporting details
See you soon
Warm Regards
(Your First name only)
Informal letter writing topics
The topics could be as follows:
Apologising for a damage/inconvenience caused
Inviting to your place
Seeking advice on something
Recommening something
Question 1
You borrowed something from your friend, later it got damaged. Write letter to
your friend.
In your letter, you should :
apologize for it
tell how it got damaged
say how you are going to fix the issue.
Question 2
You were invited to go out by your friend. Due to some reason you couldn’t
go. Write a letter apologizing for this and suggest a new time and place to
meet.
In your letter, you should:
apologize
explain reasons on why you can’t make it
suggest a new time and place to meet.
Question 3
You recently spent a weekend with your friend in her/his new house. Write a
letter to your friend.
In your letter, you should:
explain what you like about his new house
tell what you enjoyed most during your staying
suggest when and where you could meet next time with her/him.
Since we’re discussing formal letters in this article, the formal letters will mostly be a question
that’ll ask you to write a letter to someone who you may or may not have personally met but is
higher than you in position or authority like applying to a company for a new job, resigning from
an existing job, making a formal recommendation or suggestion, or complaining to a brand
company for their product or service.
Formal Letter Structure
This is the basic structure you should try to follow while writing a formal letter:
Dear [First name only]
Paragraph 1 – Mention the reason why you’re writing to them. (I am writing
regarding…)
Paragraph 2 – Talk about 1st bullet point with supporting details
Paragraph 3 – Talk about 2nd bullet point with supporting details
Paragraph 4 – Talk about 3rd bullet point with supporting details
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully/ Yours sincerely
(Your Full Name)
Writing Task 1 Sample Formal Letters
Here are a few samples of formal letters for IELTS Writing Task 1 for the
General Training Paper. All of them should be written in not less than 150
words.
Question 1
You and your family are moving to another country for work, and you are
looking to buy a house there.
Write a letter to a property agent. In your letter:
Introduce yourself and your family
Describe the type of accommodation that you hope to find
Give your preference for the location of the accommodation
Question 2
On a recent holiday, you lost a valuable item. Fortunately, you have travel
insurance to cover the cost of anything lost.
Write a letter to the manager of your insurance company. In your letter
Write a letter to your local council that the road in front of your house is
damaged.
In your letter, you should:
tell him your name and where you are living
describe the problem
suggest what you want him to do for it.
Sample Answer
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Alexander Steve residing in the apartment Unitech Blossoms, Flat no 8,
Bellandur Bangalore. I would like to draw your attention to the pothole in our
area which was due to the laying cable for telecom services. Our residents
have informed the telecom authorities many times but they are reluctant to
repair the road.
The telecom authorities dug deep holes to enhance their services but did not
repair the road after completion of their work. Only half of the road is available
for use which results in traffic during peak office hours. The rainy season has
started, and water clogs in the pothole and the transformer beside it has wires
which extend till the pothole and into the water creating unsafe conditions.
Many people find it difficult to use the road at night.
I would suggest you take immediate action to repair the damaged road. I
would really appreciate your help in this regard.
Yours Sincerely,
Alexander Steve
Since we’re covering semi-formal letters in this article, the semi-formal letters will mostly be a
question that’ll ask you to write a letter to someone you may or may not have personally met like
your professor, neighbour, landlord, so on…
Writing Task 1 Sample Semi-Formal Letters
Here are a few samples of semi-formal letters for IELTS Writing Task 1 for the
General Training Paper. All of them should be written in not less than 150
words.
Question 1
You need to take some time off from work to go on holiday. Write a letter to
your direct manager.
In your letter:
Ask for time off and explain why
Provide the dates and times for which you will be unavailable to work.
Describe what you will do to prepare or make up for your absence.
Question 2
You are experiencing financial problems and want to ask your landlord if you
can pay your rent late. Write a letter to your landlord.
In your letter explain:
Why you are writing to him
Why you cannot pay the rent
When you will pay the rent.
Question 3
You were absent from an important event held by the company you work for.
Write a letter to your manager. In your letter:
Apologize for your absence and explain the reasoning.
Explain why you had to be at the other event.
Explain what you will do to catch up.
Question 4
You are due to move into a rented apartment next week but you will not be
able to due to an unexpected problem.
Write a letter to the property manager. In your letter
Explain the situation
Describe your problems
Tell him/her when you think you can move in
