essay on letter writing

How to write a letter

HOW TO WRITE A LETTER:  A GUIDE FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

In this age of digital communication, writing letters is becoming something of a lost art. Emails and text messages can be sent instantly and for a fraction of the cost good old-fashioned snail mail can offer.

So, why bother teaching letter-writing at all? Well, though electronic ‘letters’ are often freer in formatting and language than physical letters, we can also apply letter-writing rules to electronic media. However, physical letters do offer some distinct benefits of their own too.

A WELL-WRITTEN LETTER CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.

Whilst we pride ourselves here on how to write a great essay, information report, or another text type that is primarily used in an educational setting, the ability to craft a powerful letter or email has literally changed people’s lives, altered the course of history and been the difference between life and death in some cases.

It can be the one opportunity to remove all the noise and confusion on any subject area and honestly tell someone how you feel straight from the heart.  Pen to paper.  

For whatever reason, a thousand emails, tweets, and likes will never have the same impact as a well-crafted handwritten letter.  Its very creation and existence show your reader how passionate and genuine about what it contains.

Letters fall under the transactional writing category; if you want to know more about transactional texts, be sure to check out our in-depth guide here.

COMPLETE LETTER WRITING UNIT FOR STUDENTS

Over 100 PAGES of engaging RESOURCES , various letter SAMPLES , LESSON PLANS and INTERACTIVE DIGITAL RESOURCES to teach your students how to write amazing LETTERS and EMAILS .

Teach this life skill with confidence through this excellent ALL-IN-ONE RESOURCE . No preparation is required.

3 REASONS TO TEACH LETTER WRITING

1. the personal touch: .

Those of us who grew up in an age before the internet got going will remember the excitement of waiting for and receiving a letter. Many of us will have had childhood pen pals we never met or received love letters from our teenage sweethearts. Maybe some treasured letters are still securely stored in a bedside drawer.

There is something extremely personal and intimate about the letter that email cannot capture. Letters are physical, and their increasing rarity makes them seem even more intimate today.

In this day and age, receiving a personally written letter is something a unicorn in communication terms. Students who know how to produce a well-crafted letter can use it to their advantage. For example, any business hiring manager will undoubtedly be numbed by the constant torrent of emails flooding their inbox.

That mailed resume accompanied by a handwritten letter that waits for them on their desk in the morning will surely stand out and secure an attentive read. The letter, in its various forms, is guaranteed to stand out and make an impact in an age where the vast majority of communication is digital.

3. Handwriting

Just as letter writing has declined in popularity, so too has the emphasis on well-developed handwriting skills. You can, if you wish, take the opportunity here to have the students work on their handwriting skills.

While students may protest that they can accomplish the task much quicker by word-processing, another benefit of handwriting a letter is that the speed becomes almost meditative. This allows students to focus carefully on their grammar and punctuation without always resorting to the crutch of spell-checkers and grammar correction software.

FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTER WRITING:  WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

The table below outlines whether your letter should be written formally or informally, with some suggested prompts .  Whilst there are many similarities, a formal letter should always be considered as a document with a real purpose and ramifications.

FORMAL LETTER FEATURES

USED FOR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION THESE DOCUMENTS FOLLOW A PRESCRIBED FORMAT. THEY ARE WRITTEN IN A PASSIVE VOICE FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND IN MANY CASES ARE LEGALLY BINDING. SOME EXAMPLES ARE.

INVITATION Make someone feel special about an upcoming event.

APPLICATION Write a professional letter of application for a job or group you wish to join.

REFEREE / REFERENCE Vouch for another’s skills, personality or credibility.

ACCEPTANCE & REJECTION Approve or deny an applicant in a professional manner.

MAKE AN OFFER Make a formal and binding offer in writing.

EXIT / RESIGNATION Formally leave or step down in a professional and dignified manner.

INFORMAL LETTER FEATURES

USED FOR PERSONAL COMMUNICATION THESE LETTERS HAVE NO PRESCRIBED FORMAT AND ARE WRITTEN IN AN ACTIVE VOICE.

THANK YOU Let someone know you appreciate their efforts.

CONGRATULATIONS Acknowledge someone’s achievements in life.

GRIEVANCE / LOSS Acknowledge someones personal loss or suffering and let them know you care.

FRIENDSHIP & LOVE Tell someone how special they are to you and why?

LETTER TO THE EDITOR / MAYOR ETC. Let someone know how their actions and adversely affect you and others.

LETTER TO SELF Give your older or younger self some words of advice and wisdom.

INFORMATIONAL UPDATE Write a letter back home telling them what you have been up to.

HOW TO WRITE FORMAL LETTERS

The writing process begins with planning.

As with all genres of writing, the process of formal letter writing should start with planning. This should involve sketching a brief outline from which to work rather than a comprehensive detailing of minutiae. The plan should include:

• Note addresses, names etc. – who are you writing to?
• Record the purpose of the letter – what do you want to say?
• List points to be made (each will form a paragraph) – how will you say it?
• State action point – what do you want the reader to do?

Formal letters can be written for a wide range of purposes and may come in various shapes, including a letter of complaint, a cover letter accompanying a job application, a letter of invitation, a reference letter, or a proposal letter – to name a few. Though each will adhere to its own rules of formatting and tone when writing formal letters, students should avoid using slang or contractions.

Language should be straightforward and polite. Encourage students to avoid bursts of purple prose in favor of direct, functional language. Usually, a formal letter will be written to achieve a particular end and should be written with that end foremost in mind. Students should avoid meanderings and stay firmly focused on the task at hand.

TIPS FOR WRITING GREAT FORMAL LETTERS

• The writer’s address should be in the top right-hand corner.
• The date should be written below the writer’s address
• The recipient’s name and address are below that on the left-hand side
• Use the correct opening (Dear Sir / Madam, Dear Mrs Ferguson, etc.)
• Use Standard English
• The opening sentence should explain the purpose of the letter
• Each paragraph should make a single specific point
• Use an appropriate formal tone and register in the wording of the letter
• Avoid contractions, slang, and abbreviations
• The concluding ‘action point’ paragraph states what you want the recipient to do
• The formal ending, such as Yours Sincerely or Yours Faithfully

A Note on Salutations

If the student knows the intended recipient’s name, start with Dear Mr. / Mrs Surname and end with Yours Sincerely. If they don’t know the recipient’s name, start with Dear Sir / Madam and end with Yours Faithfully.

Use of Rhetorical Devices

As mentioned, formal letter writing focuses on attempting to convince someone to take some course of action or other. To do this, it is helpful to employ some rhetorical devices to make the writing more persuasive . Some useful techniques to encourage your students to employ include:

Direct Address: Using the pronoun ‘you’ in a formal letter makes the reader feel that you are speaking directly to them. This helps to engage the reader and encourage them to continue reading the letter.

Emotive Language: Where students are trying to convince the reader to take a course of action, the use of emotive language can often be a powerful tool. Students can use either positive or negative colored words to create the desired response in the reader.

Facts and Figures: Another way to persuade and convince is to employ facts and figures to support the points made in the letter.

FORMAL LETTER STUDENT EXAMPLES

How to write an informal letter

Common features of informal letters:.

There are far fewer rules to follow when writing an informal letter, but there are still some practical guidelines to follow that will prove helpful for students engaged in writing informally.

As with any piece of writing, it is important to consider who the audience is and the reason for writing in the first place. In particular, this will help decide the tone and the language register. The more intimate the relationship, the more informal the language can be.

Though the letter will be informal, it will still have a purpose. Information should still be organized into paragraphs, as would be done with a formal, more ‘official’ letter. Students sometimes struggle with this aspect, as they often conflate ‘informal’ with ‘disorganized.’ Making them plan their informal letter before writing can help ensure it is sufficiently organized.

HOW TO START AN INFORMAL LETTER

Informal letters will start with a greeting appropriate to how close the relationship is. For acquaintances, this may be ‘Dear Tom,’ (using the first name instead of the surname) to a very informal ‘Hi Jane,’. Don’t forget the comma after the name!

After the greeting, a general opening sentence should follow. Usually, this will be something like a ‘How are you?’ or a ‘How have you been?’. If the recipient is married or has kids, you may wish to ask how their spouse or children are.

Next, students should state the reason for writing. The language should be open and friendly in tone and, in contrast to the formal letter, colloquial language, idiomatic expressions, and contractions are perfectly okay and even desirable.

Just as the opening salutation to an informal letter is much more relaxed, so too will the closing salutation. There are many possibilities for the students to choose here, and their decision will depend on who they are writing to and their personal preferences. Some examples of possible closings include ‘Love’, ‘Best regards’, ‘All the best’, and ‘Thanks’.

INFORMAL LETTER STUDENT EXAMPLES

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

PRACTICE LETTER WRITING WITH THESE ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS

The most effective way for students to internalize all the features of letter writing, formal or informal, is to gain experience by writing various letters for differing purposes. The following activities offer some suggestions for students to get practising today:

1. FICTION AS A SPRINGBOARD

Have students write as if they were a character from a piece of fiction you have been reading in class. Choosing a dramatic point in the plot , ask students to imagine they are one of the characters writing a letter to another character in the story. This writer may be either formal or informal, depending on the scenario presented. This will give students realistic letter-writing practice while also getting them to engage closely with the text and respond imaginatively to its themes.

2. THE AGONY AUNT

Either offer a range of possible life predicaments or cut out the questions from the ‘agony aunt’ page of a local newspaper. Students must write back offering advice in response to the predicaments expressed in the question or predicament. The response should be written in full letter format. This activity also lends itself to several variations. The response may be written to a close friend, for example, or written from the perspective of a professional agony aunt employing a more formal tone and presentation.

3. A LETTER OF COMPLAINT

Have students think of their favorite candy bar or clothing item. Encourage them to imagine they have bought this product lately and found it to be substandard. Students must write a formal letter of complaint to the manufacturer outlining their complaint and recommending a course of action to satisfactorily resolve that complaint. They must use all the features of a formal letter as outlined above.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR HANDWRITTEN LETTERS LOOK OLD AND AUTHENTIC.

• Write in pencil or a calligraphy pen,
• screw them up tightly and carefully unfold and flatten.
• Lightly dab coffee stains over the paper to make it look aged.
• Carefully singe or burn the edges of your paper.
• Add some sepia-filtered photos for effect.

SIGNING-OFF

As students become more confident in their understanding of letter-writing formats, encourage them to exchange letters with each other for peer assessment. You may wish to provide them with a checklist of features to look for while reading over their partner’s work.

Letter-writing can also be a great way to partner up with schools overseas; often, children studying English as a second language will be delighted to receive letters from (and write to) students in English-speaking countries. And though email increasingly encroaches on the traditional territory of the letter, many of the skills garnered in the practice of letter writing are transferable to the modern manifestation. There is ample opportunity here to link letter-writing learning with approaches to writing emails too.

Letter-writing can provide a focus for a wide range of learning objectives while also teaching students valuable practical skills that will serve them well beyond their school years, both in their personal and work lives. And who knows, perhaps in years to come, one of the letters your student writes in your class may become a treasured keepsake in someone’s bedside drawer.

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Content for this page has been written by Shane Mac Donnchaidh.  A former principal of an international school and university English lecturer with 15 years of teaching and administration experience.  Editing and support content has been provided by the literacyideas  team.

Friday essay: a lament for the lost art of letter-writing – a radical art form reflecting ‘the full catastrophe of life’

PhD Candidate, The University of Melbourne

Disclosure statement

Edwina Preston received funding from the Australia Council for her latest published novel.

University of Melbourne provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.

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Letters did not count [as writing]. A woman might write letters while sitting by her father’s sick-bed. She could write them by the fire while the men talked without disturbing them. The strange thing is, I thought, turning over the pages of Dorothy’s letters, what a gift that untaught and solitary girl had for the framing of a sentence, for the fashioning of a scene.

— Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own

Last year I went to the funeral of a friend with whom I shared a house in Melbourne in the early 1990s. While I and my other housemates went on to the full array of box-ticking life experiences – children, careers, relationships, houses – our friend was diagnosed with an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis in her early twenties. When she died, we had not heard her voice for many years.

Of all the eulogies at her funeral, the most arresting was a letter she’d written at 23, read aloud by a former housemate, Delia. Our friend had been travelling at the time; negotiating a fledgling relationship, digesting the reality of her diagnosis, preparing for the suddenly precarious unfolding of her life.

She hadn’t spoken for so long but here in this letter, this imprint of her voice on paper, she sprang suddenly into life. Funny, irreverent, honest, scared: we could hear her. The occasion was sad; but the letter was joyful.

I had forgotten what a powerful time capsule a letter could be.

Read more: Post apocalypse: the end of daily letter deliveries is in sight

Gen X-ers occupy a distinctly precious cultural position – straddling the analogue past of letter writing and the hyper-digital present of TikTok and Instagram. One of my earliest school memories is of learning how to transcribe an address onto an envelope in the form required by post offices (carefully indented at every line, return address on the back). It seems almost archaic now.

We may not have been “the last generation of devoted letter writers” – that title goes to our parents’ or grandparents’ generation – but letter-writing was still a necessary, carefully taught skill when we were growing up.

It was the normal way to communicate with grandparents, international pen-pals, and school friends who had moved to the country. We all sat down at school camp on the first night and wrote our parents a letter, Camp Granada style, supervised by prowling teachers who made sure we gave our parents a worthy account.

I remember too how important it was, as a young adult in the world of pre-internet travel, to land in a far-flung place, track down the Poste Restante and find miraculously waiting for you – as though your arrival was predestined – a handful of pale blue aerograms, enscripted with miniscule, space-saving writing. Letters from home.

In momentary deferral to the anti-hoarding gods, I recently threw out a tranche of these aerograms, sent to me when I travelled India as a 19-year-old. I not only curse myself when I think of this now, but I feel an actual pain in my chest. What insights have I lost into my former self, my family and my friends as a result?

The human condition

The disappearance of letter-writing from Western cultural life is such a recent phenomenon that I don’t dare proclaim its death. From Abelard and Heloise’s 12th-century love missives , dense with biblical references but no less dense with longing, to the letters of Vincent Van Gogh to his brother Theo, it’s hard to imagine how we might have made sense of the human condition without the insights gleaned from letters.

What would we know of the interior worlds of artists and writers, scientists and politicians, sisters and friends and lovers? What would we know about life itself? Or, as importantly, about how to live ? In the first century AD, Seneca articulated his philosophy of stoicism via a series of 124 “ moral letters ” to his young friend Lucilius.

These letters are only nominally a private correspondence between two men; in fact, they were written for a much larger readership that might benefit from Seneca’s solutions to the moral dilemmas of living in the world.

Even if one side of the conversation (Lucilius’s) remained unheard, the letter, as a form, lent a sense of reciprocity and intimacy to Seneca’s words – it enabled him to speak to many as though he were speaking to one. With titles such as “On saving time”, “On old age and death”, “On the relativity of fame”, “On care of health and peace of mind”, Seneca’s letters continue to resonate 2,000 years later.

Rainer Maria Rilke’s ten Letters to a Young Poet , written in 1903-08 and published posthumously in 1929, provided creative guidance to his young recipient, a Czech poet and military student. These letters are famous for Rilke’s inordinately gentle manner, his tenderness and warmth.

Yet it seems that, in breathing a philosophy of art and life into the ear of his young admirer, Rilke also breathes it affirmingly into himself, and into the generations privy to the correspondence since. I noticed traces of his philosophy of creativity – which emphasises patience and attentiveness to the small things of life – in a 1961 letter from Patrick White to Thea Astley I recently read:

Read, think & listen to silence, & shell the peas … concentrating on the work in hand until you know what it is to be a pea — and drudge at the school, & sleep with your husband & bring up your child. That is what I mean when I say “living” …

Unlike the essay or the novel, letters facilitate a kind of collapsing of low and high, profound and profane, the life of domesticity and the life of the spirit. They are not master accounts of ourselves, with all the incidentals written out.

Writer Maria Popova, commenting on the mid-century correspondence of illustrator Edward Gorey and author Peter F. Neumeyer , says the two men wrote to each other of everything “from metaphysics to pancake recipes”.

This democratic levelling of subject matter is perhaps nowhere more evident than in letters, where hierarchies of value don’t prevail as they do in more authoritatively literary forms: the traditional novel, for instance, in which everything must gear toward thematic and narrative resolution.

Letting the real world in

Megan O’Grady, in the New York Times , has described letters as “leaky” in the way they allow a seepage of the real world to occur: “the baby wakes from the nap and cries; the air-raid siren sounds; the social mores and psychodynamics of other eras filter in”. In correspondence, even the rhetorical devices of transition, the elegant segues that smooth a jagged change of subject, are largely dispensed with.

No one, writing a letter, agonises over the wording of a sentence that links two paragraphs. A trail of unexplained ellipses has a particular function in a letter – to break a chain of thought, to attest to bodily movement in temporal space: a kettle being put on, a doorbell answered, a nappy changed.

My friend Delia, reading over letters from her friends in the early 1990s when she was a student in America, said:

It was funny reading these letters back. Sometimes they would be written over days, or even weeks, they’d stop and start and stop again: “Sorry, got distracted with something. Anyway …” Or be continually updated: “Well, I finally got a phone call from X, you won’t believe what happened …”

They were provisional, real-time, patched-together accounts of life as we lived it, as it occurred, on the spot. An unspooling of self onto the page in real time.

Or selves perhaps; each letter, each recipient, facilitating an adjustment of the self, a tweak: there’s the correspondent we make laugh, the correspondent we confide in, the correspondent to whom we offer advice and comfort. Like a diary, a letter can function as a “chronicle of [one’s] hours and days”, but because it is, in essence, a two-way communication – an ongoing, unfinished conversation – a letter invokes a relationship so it needs to be sensitive to the reader in ways a diary need not.

It needs to configure itself for entertainment value. It’s one of the few writing forms that allows the mind of the writer to roam freely, independently, and yet actively connect with an attentive, and presumably sympathetic, reader: a known reader.

The materiality of letters sets them apart from today’s electronic equivalents. Letters are disarmingly tangible when we chance upon them in a forgotten box or tin or bundle: we might have forgotten them, but they didn’t cease to exist. They offer curious subtexts too, not least to do with the presence of the human hand on paper.

A different kind of utterance

I have in my possession pages of my late grandmother’s “scribble” – a self-deprecating term she used (for her handwriting or for the thoughts her letters contained? I was never sure which).

Her backwards-scooping scrawl carries with it her personality somehow – occasionally, I see an echo of it in my own handwriting, a certain soft flourish in an “h” or an “n”. I remember the pale blue pages on which her letters were written, and my habit of placing a heavy-ruled piece of paper beneath my own when I wrote back to her, to ensure my lines were straight.

Particularly precious in my family is a letter written to my father as a little boy by his own father, stationed on an air base in New Guinea in 1943. The letter, on tiny yellow paper, is written in flawless copperplate – a skill my grandfather was particularly proud of, having left school at 12 – and the front of the envelope is illustrated with an image of Ginger Meggs, hand-drawn in coloured ink.

Returning after the war, my grandfather was a difficult, traumatised man, but in his letter there’s a glimpse of the loving young father and husband he was before:

Dear Barry Just a few lines from your Daddy hoping it finds you well; and I also trust that your little yacht arrived alright; and I do hope it sails well for it has really big sails though I think you shall be able to manage it alright after Mum has fixed it all up for you […] Now Barry I guess you are wondering when I shall be home, well I really thought that I would be home for Xmas but now it looks like it shall be early in the new year so I am hoping I get back in time for your birthday for if I do, we shall sure have a birthday party, won’t we, with just you and Leslie and Mumie and me …“

In the last years of my own father’s life, this tiny hand-inked letter had pride of place in a glass display case in his residential care unit: a beautiful relic, the ephemeral trapped on paper.

It reminds me of a similarly gentle, loving letter written by John Steinbeck to his son in 1958, upon his son’s announcement that he had fallen in love:

Dear Thom: First – if you are in love – that’s a good thing — that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it small or light to you. Second – There are several kinds of love […] The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had.

Did Steinbeck speak as honestly and tenderly to his son in person? Perhaps, I don’t know. But it’s possible that letters allowed a different kind of utterance for "strong, silent” men of past generations: a benevolent “father-tongue” (lower case) which enabled them to shed, if momentarily, the practised hardness of masculinity.

I know that my grandfather’s letter contains a grace and sweetness that was not present in person. In person, his expression of love was to teach my father how to box.

Read more: Hold the post: there's no such thing as a dead letter

Famous love letters

Love letters, of course, occupy a place of their own within the “genre”, if it can be called a genre. The 5,000 or so letters between Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Steiglitz , penned across 30 years, provide a window onto the mutual creative inspiration that existed between the two artists, but also include searing love letters that testify to an enduring sensuality.

“Dearest,” writes Georgia:

— my body is simply crazy with wanting you – If you don’t come tomorrow – I don’t see how I can wait for you – I wonder if your body wants mine the way mine wants yours – the kisses – the hotness – the wetness – all melting together – the being held so tight that it hurts – the strangle and the struggle.

On a voyeuristic level, the love letters of the famous gratify our curiosity – what went on between these two giants of the screen/literary world/art scene? Were they (are they?) like us in their lusts and their pettinesses? Often, yes, they are like us – we’re reassured by their broken promises and bickerings and insecurities.

They say things they shouldn’t, embarrassing things, things they later regret. T.S. Eliot later disavowed his fervent love letters to American speech and drama teacher Emily Hale – they “were the letters of an hallucinated man,” he said. Nevertheless, these letters have an ardour, a heart-on-the-sleeve earnestness, that reveals a different side to the cool modernist poet, a side that was warm-blooded, ruled by the heart, even, possibly, vulnerable.

Letters are immediate; we write them from inside the moment, and so the immediate, the moment, becomes the truth. Their vigour, and their value, lies in this unedited, uneditable quality: they document us, trap fleeting moments in glass. We might even say things that bare our souls. “I am reduced to a thing that wants Virginia,” wrote Vita Sackville-West famously to Virginia Woolf in one such moment in 1926.

Some of the funniest/“dirtiest” letters on the public record are James Joyce’s letters to his wife Nora Barnacle , in which he joyously catalogues her repertoire of farts:

big fat fellows, long windy ones, quick little merry cracks and a lot of tiny little naughty farties ending in a long gush from your hole … I think I would know Nora’s fart anywhere. I think I could pick hers out in a roomful of farting women.

The publication of the letters in 1975 upset Joyce’s grandson, but the correspondence reveals a healthy mutual sexual relationship, free of any false social pieties and, certainly, of embarrassment.

The love letters of famous writers have a pith and poetry the rest of us might not be equal to, but even the simplest love letters, if they’re heartfelt, speak of who we are, or once were, and how we affected other people. They are testament to the risks we take to express deep and difficult feelings; the things we might not have been able to say in the flesh.

My first boyfriend says he wrote me a love letter when we were 16 and I sent it back to him with the spelling corrected in red pen. I can’t remember the spirit with which I embarked on this particular revision, but it’s retrospectively both very funny and an insight into my own priggishness. Nor can I imagine making such amendments now using tracked changes – somehow I think it would be less funny and more tragic.

I have in my possession other love letters from the pre-internet age – not many, a few. They embarrassed me, mainly, at the time, but I’m glad I’ve kept them – they are charged with a force that cuts through time, and connects me with myself as a younger, if more callous, person.

Read more: 'Weaponised irony': after fictionalising Elizabeth Macarthur's life, Kate Grenville edits her letters

Email and autocorrect

And while famous love letters of the past are collected, collated and curated for public consumption, I’m not sure a 21st-century romantic email correspondence will have the same longevity. For one thing, emails are less spontaneous: if only because they are infinitely revisable, deletable – as well as easily forwardable (accidentally or otherwise).

They don’t contain the mark of the person, the pecularities of handwriting or, yes, spelling mistakes – autocorrect puts out these interesting little fires. Writes O’Grady: “It’s hard to imagine that in 50 years we’ll be picking up The Collected Emails of Zadie Smith.”

Email won’t ever be a replacement for the unfolding, from a wadded envelope, of several pages of lovingly tended text. For me, at least. I use email for collegiate communications, friendly transactions, social to-ings and fro-ings. While it might provide the last vestige of formality in an increasingly informal communications world, email remains an inadequate substitute for letters.

Delayed gratification – part of the frisson of a traditional correspondence – is a bad portent when it comes to emails. It’s easy to interpret even the briefest email silence as unwillingness or neglect on the part of the recipient. O’Grady writes:

Email – already an old-fashioned form – isn’t really the electronic replacement of the letter but a different mode of communication entirely: fleeter, tactical, somehow both more and less disposable. It is unwise to commit too much of oneself to electronic code, which lives on in some ether or another, unflung into the fireplace.

Text messages are semiotically interesting in the way they codify language and narrative, but their idiom is brevity. You can flirt in a series of text messages, you can also argue, but you can’t reflect the way you might in a letter; it’s easy to send a platitude or establish a rapport in a text, not so easy to tease out a philosophy.

Letter-writing is a commitment of time and an offering of trust, both an indulgence and an act of generosity. It must trust that what is being related will be accepted. It must assume that its confidences will be honoured.

‘The stuff of life’

As a writer looking for a literary device with which to capture the voice of a troubled female poet in 1960s Melbourne, first-person narrative didn’t work. I tried and got nowhere. It couldn’t satisfactorily make visible the ruptures and randomness of my character’s life, its trivial details and entertaining side-notes: the nappies she had to run off and attend to; the soggy egg cartons glimpsed dishearteningly through a window; the clothesline she feared being garrotted by.

If it’s not doing something to further the narrative , goes the traditional novel-writing wisdom, cut it out . But I wanted to put in the things that didn’t further the narrative: the ephemeral things, apparently unimportant, that are actually the stuff of life.

Letter-writing allows this stuff to be present. Perhaps it’s the only traditional writing form that does, and it gave me a credible reason for putting the trivial, the small, the fleeting into my story. And when I did, to my surprise, my character came to life: she became spontaneous and real and began to speak in a language and voice that seemed authentic.

In her wonderful 1988 essay about writing and motherhood, The Fisherwoman’s Daughter , Ursula Le Guin used the term “mother tongue” to describe an “authentic” women’s language. The mother tongue, she says, speaks with intimacy, proximity, connectivity; it’s the voice with which we talk to a neighbour over the fence, or to our children when they come home late, or to our partners when it’s their turn to take out the bins, or our friends when we’re trying to make them laugh over a drink.

Its power is not in dividing but in binding … We all know it by heart. John have you got your umbrella I think it’s going to rain. Can you come play with me? If I told you once I told you a hundred times … O what am I going to do? … Pass the soy sauce please. Oh, shit … You look like what the cat dragged in …

In its use of the mother tongue, correspondence actually corresponds with the ways we interact with people in our lives, as well as with the spontaneities of speech itself. It doesn’t pretend the writer is not a real person, speaking in an authoritative void, like an oracle, to untethered, disembodied others. It allows the full catastrophe of life to be present and visible.

Researching the letters of women poets in preparation for working on my novel , I realised letter-writing has always been socially acceptable for women in ways the “master” forms of literary production – the novel, the poem – haven’t been. So long as they were literate, women have always written letters – as an essential form of communication and self-expression, but also because writing letters didn’t disturb the status quo or conflict with domestic or mothering responsibilities.

A woman didn’t need to consciously conceive of herself as a “writer” in order to be an avid letter-writer. And a woman didn’t need a “room of her own” in order to write her letters; she could write them among the potato peels and bills and children’s laundry. Quietly, (apparently) benignly, women have for centuries been able to refine and experiment with their writing practice under the guise of merely “writing a letter”.

So perhaps letter-writing has functioned as a kind of ruse or subterfuge for women: a way of writing without seeming to have “unseemly” writerly ambitions. I think of my grandmother’s characterisation of her letters as “scribble”.

It was not the done thing for a woman of her generation to publicise her accomplishments, but I knew she knew she was a good writer, with lovely handwriting, and a gentle and responsive style. Calling her writing “scribble”, I realised, was a way of repudiating the criticism of thinking she had something to say, but getting on with the job of saying it nevertheless.

As I wrote my character’s letters to her sister, I became more and more convinced that letter-writing has functioned as a radical, maybe even revolutionary, writing form for women. This is because, on the one hand, it was considered so socially unthreatening that it went under the radar, and, on the other, because it allowed the small daily realities of women’s lives to be made visible.

It could be written from within the midst of their lives – not separate, not in a garret room or writer’s hut — but right there, on the kitchen table amongst the scraps and the bills and the children’s toys.

Gregory Kratzmann, editor of Australian poet Gwen Harwood’s voluminous correspondence, says Harwood wrote her correspondence in precisely this way:

She wrote letters quickly and with great facility, often when she was surrounded by domestic activity […] sometimes three or more long letters in the same day […] the activity of writing was an essential part of living […]

The prolific 19th-century novelist Margaret Oliphant used this same “kitchen-table” approach to write her novels – and there were nearly one hundred of them. Far from imperilling her progress, she felt that

her writing profited, from the difficult, obscure, chancy connection between the art work and emotional/manual/managerial complex of skills and tasks called “housework,” and that to sever that connection would put the writing itself at risk, would make it, in her word, unnatural.

If letter-writing can tolerate interruption, distraction, diversion, it stands to reason that novel writing can too. And poetry writing. And even philosophical treatise writing. Perhaps being interrupted is not so terrible nor so damaging to artistic creation as we have always thought. Who says that the uninterrupted thought is better than the interrupted one?

Read more: Gwen Harwood was one of Australia's finest poets – she was also one of the most subversive

‘The framing of a sentence’

I have never had an inviolate writing space of my own. Everything I have written has been interrupted constantly by children and domestic demands. I stop to remedy problems; attend to outbursts of screaming; acquire and prepare drawing materials; find lost books; answer spelling enquiries; listen to an imaginative narrative just written; lace on rollerblades; deal with insistent lamentations that “There’s nothing to eat”.

My writing space has been fundamentally accessible to my children: they remove pens and papers and post-it notes, use my desk as a place to apply nail-polish, leave tell-tale trails of crumbs and rings from glasses. Yes, it’s annoying. Does it make my writing worse? No. Sometimes it makes it better.

Writing my character, contemplating all this, I thought – dare I say it? – that perhaps Virginia Woolf was wrong. Perhaps “a room of one’s own” has never been necessary to the writing of prose. Perhaps the seeds of a different kind of writing practice, one that served women’s realities and responsibilities better, can be glimpsed in the practice of letter writing.

Correspondence has always enabled women to become caught up, immersed, in the moment of the work, yet remain equally available and connected to life around them.

Thus it deserves our attention, even as it fades from view as a writing practice. To return to Virginia Woolf’s silently observed letter-writing girl at the beginning of this essay: “[W]hat a gift that untaught and solitary girl had for the framing of a sentence, for the fashioning of a scene.”

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12+ Essay Letter Writing – Format, Examples, Writing Tips

• Letter Writing
• March 4, 2024
• School Letters

Essay Letter Writing: Essay letter writing is a form of written communication that combines the structure and format of an essay with the personal tone and conversational style of a letter. This type of school letter writing can be used to express personal thoughts and opinions on a variety of topics, from social issues to academic assignments.

In essay letter writing, the writer has the freedom to share their ideas and experiences in a unique and creative way, while also adhering to the basic principles of essay writing, such as structure, coherence, and logical argumentation. This Essay Letter Writing is an effective way to communicate complex ideas in a clear and engaging manner.

Also Check: Formal Letter Format Class 8

Essay Letter Writing – Structure of Essay Letter Writing Tips

Content in this article

Essay letter writing follows a basic structure that combines the elements of an essay with the conversational tone of a Essay Letter Writing. Here is a general outline of the structure:

• Introduction : The first paragraph introduces the topic and purpose of the Essay Letter Writing. It should be engaging and clearly state the writer’s thesis or main point.
• Body Paragraphs : The body of the Essay Letter Writing should consist of two or three paragraphs that support the thesis with relevant evidence and examples. The paragraphs should be well-organized and flow logically from one point to the next.
• Conclusion : The final paragraph summarizes the writer’s main points and restates the thesis in a clear and concise manner. Essay Letter Writing should leave the reader with a lasting impression and a call to action.

Essay Letter Writing – Sample Format

Below is a sample format for essay letter writing. This format can be adapted based on the specific purpose and audience of your essay letter:

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]

[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Title or Relationship] [Company, School, or Institution Name] [Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

Subject: [Briefly Mention the Topic of the Essay]

I trust this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to share my thoughts on [mention the main topic or purpose of the essay]. As someone deeply passionate about this subject, I believe it is crucial to explore and articulate my perspectives on [provide a brief overview of the essay’s focus].

Introduction: In the introduction, I aim to captivate your attention by [mention how you plan to engage the reader, e.g., sharing a personal anecdote, posing a question, or presenting a relevant quote]. This introductory section sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of [the main theme or idea].

Body Paragraphs: The body of the essay will delve into [three to four key points or ideas related to the main theme]. Each paragraph will explore a distinct aspect, supported by [examples, evidence, personal experiences, or relevant information]. This structured approach ensures a coherent and compelling presentation.

Conclusion: The concluding section will summarize the key findings and insights discussed throughout the essay. I aim to leave the reader with [a thought-provoking statement, a call to action, or a reflection on the broader implications of the topic].

I appreciate your time and consideration in reading my essay. I believe that [mention the potential impact or relevance of the essay] and look forward to any insights or feedback you may have.

Thank you for your attention.

[Your Full Name] [Your Title or Affiliation, if applicable] [Your Signature – if sending a physical letter]

Feel free to customize this template based on the specific topic, purpose, and recipient of your essay letter. Adjust the language, tone, and content to suit the nature of the essay and the preferences of your audience.

Essay-Letter Writing – Example

Here’s an example of Essay Letter Writing:

Dear [Recipient],

I am writing to share my recent experience with essay writing. As you may know, essay writing is a crucial skill that is required in many academic settings, including college and university courses.

Recently, I had to write an essay on the topic of climate change and its impact on the environment. At first, I found it challenging to organize my thoughts and ideas in a logical and coherent manner. However, with the help of some research and a lot of hard work, I was able to create a well-written essay that received a high grade.

Through this experience, I have learned that essay writing is not just about putting words on paper; it is about expressing ideas and arguments in a clear and persuasive manner. Additionally, I have realized that careful planning and organization are essential for producing a successful essay.

Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to improve my essay writing skills and I hope to continue honing them in the future.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Essay – Letter Writing – Example

Essay Letter Writing About Social Media

Here’s an Essay Letter Writing About Social Media

I am writing to share my thoughts on the topic of social media and its impact on our lives. In today’s world, social media has become an integral part of our daily routines, and it is hard to imagine life without it.

While social media has its advantages, such as staying connected with friends and family and accessing a wealth of information, it also has its drawbacks. One of the biggest issues with social media is the spread of misinformation and fake news. Many people tend to believe whatever they read online, without fact-checking or verifying the sources.

Furthermore, social media can also have negative effects on mental health. It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others and feeling inadequate, which can lead to anxiety and depression.

In my opinion, it is important to strike a balance when it comes to social media usage. We should be mindful of the information we consume and make sure it is accurate and reliable. Additionally, we should limit our time on social media and use it in moderation, so as not to let it consume our lives.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on this important topic.

Essay Letter Writing About Social Media 

Essay Letter Writing for Students

Below is an Essay Letter Writing suitable for students:

[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Title or Position] [School or Institution Name] [Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Subject: Exploring the Importance of Extracurricular Activities for Student Development

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. As a student at [Your School/College Name], I am writing to share my thoughts on the significance of participating in extracurricular activities for overall student development.

Introduction: In today’s dynamic educational landscape, the role of extracurricular activities goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. These activities encompass a wide range of opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop essential skills, and foster a well-rounded personality.

Body: Paragraph 1: Broadening Horizons Engaging in extracurricular activities exposes students to diverse fields beyond their academic curriculum. It provides a platform to discover and explore various interests, allowing students to broaden their horizons and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the world.

Paragraph 2: Skill Development Participating in clubs, sports, or cultural activities enhances the development of crucial life skills. Teamwork, leadership, time management, and communication are just a few examples of skills that students can acquire through active involvement in extracurricular pursuits. These skills are not only valuable during the school years but also play a pivotal role in shaping a successful future.

Paragraph 3: Building Character Extracurricular activities contribute significantly to character building. Students learn to overcome challenges, face competition, and cope with both success and failure. These experiences foster resilience, perseverance, and a strong sense of responsibility, qualities that are integral to personal growth.

Paragraph 4: Holistic Development The combination of academic excellence and active participation in extracurricular activities leads to holistic development. Students who strike a balance between their studies and interests tend to perform well academically while also developing a more well-rounded and adaptable personality.

Conclusion: In conclusion, I firmly believe that encouraging students to engage in extracurricular activities is crucial for their holistic development. These activities not only complement academic learning but also nurture qualities that are essential for success in the ever-evolving global landscape.

I look forward to discussing this topic further and exploring ways to promote and support extracurricular involvement among students at [Your School/College Name]. Thank you for your time and consideration.

[Your Full Name] [Your Grade/Class] [Your Signature – if sending a physical letter]

Feel free to customize this letter based on your specific thoughts, experiences, and the requirements of your essay assignment.

Writing an Essay in Letter Form

Writing an essay in letter form involves combining the structure of a formal or informal letter with the content and structure of an essay. Here is a sample essay in letter form:

[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Title or Position] [Organization or Institution Name] [Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Subject: Exploring the Impact of Technology on Education

I trust this letter finds you well. As a concerned student passionate about the role of technology in education, I am writing to share my insights on how technological advancements are shaping the learning landscape.

Introduction: Technology has become an integral part of our lives, and its influence on education is undeniable. In this letter, I aim to examine the positive and negative impacts of technology on the educational experience, shedding light on its transformative effects.

Paragraph 1: Positive Impacts One of the notable positive impacts of technology on education is the accessibility of information. The internet has opened up vast repositories of knowledge, making learning resources readily available to students worldwide. This accessibility has democratized education, breaking down barriers to information.

Paragraph 2: Interactive Learning Furthermore, technology has revolutionized the way we learn. Interactive tools, simulations, and virtual classrooms create an engaging and dynamic learning environment. These tools not only cater to diverse learning styles but also foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Paragraph 3: Global Connectivity The interconnected world facilitated by technology allows students to connect with peers and experts globally. Collaborative projects, online forums, and virtual exchange programs contribute to a richer and more diverse educational experience.

Paragraph 4: Challenges and Concerns However, with the benefits come challenges. The digital divide, unequal access to technology, and concerns about privacy and online security are critical issues that need addressing. Balancing the integration of technology while ensuring equitable opportunities for all students is a pressing concern.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the impact of technology on education is profound and multifaceted. While it presents exciting opportunities for enhanced learning, we must address the challenges to create an inclusive educational landscape that benefits all.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss these ideas further and explore strategies for leveraging technology responsibly in education. Thank you for considering my perspective.

Feel free to customize this template based on your specific topic and the guidelines provided for your assignment. Adjust the tone, style, and content to suit the nature of your essay and your audience.

Essay Letter Writing Template

Below is a template that you can use for essay letter writing. This template is a general structure; you can customize it based on the specific topic or purpose of your essay.

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Date]

Introduction: Begin your letter with a brief introduction. Clearly state the purpose of your letter and provide a hook to engage the reader’s interest.

Body Paragraphs: Divide the body of your letter into paragraphs, each addressing a specific point or idea related to your essay topic.

• Introduce the topic of your essay.
• Provide background information to set the context.
• Clearly state your thesis or the main point you will be discussing.
• Introduce and discuss the first supporting point.
• Provide evidence, examples, or facts to strengthen your argument.
• Explain the relevance of this point to your overall argument.
• Introduce and discuss the second supporting point.
• Provide evidence, examples, or facts to support this point.
• Explain how this point connects to your thesis.
• Acknowledge potential counterarguments.
• Refute or address counterarguments, demonstrating the strength of your position.
• Summarize the key points discussed in your essay.
• Reinforce the importance of your thesis.
• Provide a smooth transition to the conclusion.

Conclusion: Conclude your letter by summarizing the main points and restating the significance of your topic or argument. End with a call to action, a thought-provoking statement, or a question to leave a lasting impression.

Closing: End your letter with a formal closing. Choose a closing phrase that matches the tone and purpose of your essay.

[Your Full Name] [Your Signature – if sending a physical letter]

Feel free to adapt this template of Essay Letter Writing based on the specific requirements of your essay or the guidelines provided for your assignment. Adjust the tone, style, and content to suit the nature of your essay and your audience.

Formal Essay Letter Writing

When writing an Essay Letter Writing in Formal tone, you want to maintain a professional tone while effectively conveying your thoughts. Below is a formal Essay Letter Writing:

Subject: An Examination of Environmental Sustainability Practices in [Organization/Institution Name]

I trust this letter finds you in good health. As a dedicated student of [Your School/College Name], I am writing to bring attention to the importance of adopting sustainable practices within our institution, specifically in the context of environmental conservation.

Introduction: Environmental sustainability is an issue of global concern, and its implications resonate across various sectors, including education. In this letter, I aim to shed light on the benefits of implementing eco-friendly initiatives within [Organization/Institution Name] and the positive impact it can have on our community and beyond.

Paragraph 1: The Need for Environmental Sustainability The pressing need for environmental sustainability arises from the escalating challenges posed by climate change. By incorporating sustainable practices within our institution, we contribute to the global effort to mitigate the adverse effects of environmental degradation.

Paragraph 2: Implementing Green Initiatives I propose the implementation of green initiatives, such as waste reduction, energy conservation, and the incorporation of renewable energy sources. These initiatives not only align with global sustainability goals but also instill a sense of environmental responsibility among students, faculty, and staff.

Paragraph 3: Educational Opportunities Furthermore, embracing environmental sustainability provides unique educational opportunities. By incorporating sustainable practices into our curriculum, we equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex environmental issues in their future endeavors.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the integration of environmental sustainability practices within [Organization/Institution Name] is not only a responsibility we owe to the planet but also an opportunity to foster a culture of environmental stewardship among the members of our institution.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss these proposals further and explore feasible ways to initiate and support sustainable practices within our institution. Thank you for considering these recommendations.

Feel free to adapt this formal Essay Letter Writing based on the specific topic and guidelines provided for your assignment. Ensure that the tone remains formal and that the content aligns with the expectations of a formal letter.

Job Application Essay Letter Writing

Below is a job application Essay Letter Writing that you can use as a reference:

[Employer’s Name] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Employer’s Name],

Subject: Application for [Job Position] – [Your Full Name]

I am writing to express my sincere interest in the [Job Position] advertised on your company’s website. With a strong background in [Relevant Skills or Experience], I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team and the success of [Company Name].

Introduction: In my current role at [Your Current Company], I have successfully [highlight a significant accomplishment or responsibility related to the job]. This experience has equipped me with [mention specific skills or qualities] that align with the requirements of the [Job Position] at [Company Name].

Body: Paragraph 1: Why I am a Strong Candidate I am particularly drawn to [Company Name] due to its commitment to [mention any specific values, projects, or achievements of the company]. My [mention number of years] years of experience in [Your Industry or Field] have honed my ability to [mention key responsibilities or skills relevant to the job].

Paragraph 2: Key Skills and Achievements I possess a proven track record in [mention relevant skills or achievements], as evidenced by [provide specific examples or metrics]. These experiences have sharpened my [mention soft skills] and my ability to [mention any other relevant strengths].

Paragraph 3: Why I Want to Join [Company Name] I am attracted to [Company Name] because of its reputation for [mention any specific aspects of the company culture, projects, or values that resonate with you]. I am eager to contribute my skills and learn from the talented team at [Company Name].

Conclusion: In conclusion, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to [Company Name] and am confident in my ability to excel in the [Job Position]. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my skills and experiences align with your company’s needs in further detail.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to further discuss how my qualifications make me a strong fit for this position.

Feel free to customize this Essay Letter Writing for job application based on your specific experiences, skills, and the requirements of the job you are applying for.

Essay Letter Writing for Different Audiences

Essay Letter Writing for different audiences involves tailoring your content, tone, and approach based on the specific group you are addressing. Below are examples of Essay Letter Writing for different audiences:

1. Essay Letter Writing to Parents – Topic: Importance of Extracurricular Activities for Student Development

[Your Name] [Your Grade/Class] [Date]

[Parents’ Names] [Parents’ Address]

Dear Mom and Dad,

I hope this letter finds you both well. As your son/daughter and a student at [Your School], I wanted to share my thoughts on the significance of participating in extracurricular activities for overall student development.

[Continue with the body of the essay, discussing benefits, personal experiences, and the impact on academic and personal growth.]

2. Essay Letter Writing to Teachers – Topic: The Role of Technology in Enhancing Classroom Learning

[Teacher’s Name] [School Name]

Dear [Teacher’s Name],

I trust this letter finds you well. As a student in your [Subject] class, I would like to explore the impact of technology on classroom learning and how it can enhance the educational experience for both students and teachers.

[Continue with the body of the essay, discussing positive impacts, examples, and potential challenges.]

3. Essay Letter Writing to Friends – Topic: The Benefits of Reading for Personal Growth

[Your Name] [Date]

[Friends’ Names]

Dear Friends,

I hope you’re doing great. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the many benefits of reading and how it contributes to personal growth. I thought I’d share my thoughts with you.

[Continue with the body of the essay, discussing the joys of reading, cognitive benefits, and the impact on personal development.]

[Your Full Name]

4. Essay Letter Writing to the Editor – Topic: Addressing Environmental Concerns in Our Community

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Date]

[Editor’s Name] [Newspaper/Magazine Name] [Address]

Dear Editor,

I am writing to bring attention to the environmental concerns in our community, specifically focusing on [specific issue]. It is imperative that we address these issues to ensure a sustainable future.

[Continue with the body of the essay, providing information, possible solutions, and urging community involvement.]

[Your Full Name] [Your Contact Information]

Feel free to customize these letters of Essay Letter Writing for different audiences based on the specific audience and topic you are addressing. Adjust the language, tone, and content to suit the relationship and communication style appropriate for each audience.

Essay Letter Writing About Pollution – Email Format

Here’s an Email Format of Essay Letter Writing about Pollution:

I am writing to you today to express my deep concern about the issue of pollution. In recent years, pollution has become a major problem that is affecting our environment, our health, and our future. It is a global issue that needs to be addressed urgently.

Pollution is caused by various factors, including industrial activities, transportation, and waste disposal. The consequences of pollution are dire, including climate change, respiratory problems, and biodiversity loss. It is important that we take action to reduce our carbon footprint, recycle waste materials, and limit the use of harmful chemicals.

As citizens of this planet, we all have a responsibility to protect our environment and reduce pollution. I urge you to join me in taking action to reduce pollution in our daily lives. We can start by using public transportation, conserving energy, and practicing responsible waste disposal.

Let’s work together to create a healthier and more sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come.

Essay Letter Writing for Various Occasions

Essay Letter Writing for various occasions involves tailoring your content to the specific event or celebration. Below are examples of Essay Letter Writing for different occasions:

1. Essay Letter Writing for Graduation – Reflecting on the Journey

[Your Name] [Graduation Date]

[Principal’s Name] [School Name]

Dear Principal [Principal’s Last Name],

As I stand on the threshold of a new chapter in my life, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that has led me to this moment. Graduation is not just a culmination of academic achievements, but a celebration of growth, resilience, and the bonds formed in these hallowed halls.

[Continue with the body of the essay, reflecting on memorable experiences, friendships, and the lessons learned during the academic journey.]

[Your Full Name] [Your Graduation Class]

2. Essay Letter Writing for Thanksgiving – Gratitude for Family and Friends

[Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Address]

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for the blessings in my life, particularly the cherished relationships with family and friends. In the spirit of thankfulness, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for the impact you have had on my life.

[Continue with the body of the essay, expressing specific reasons for gratitude, fond memories, and the significance of the relationship.]

Warm regards,

3. Essay Letter Writing for a Birthday Celebration – Reflecting on Another Year

[Your Name] [Birthday Date]

[Recipient’s Name]

As I celebrate another year of life, I am prompted to reflect on the experiences, growth, and joys that this journey has brought. Birthdays are not just a marker of passing time; they are a celebration of the lessons learned, the relationships cherished, and the memories created.

[Continue with the body of the essay, reflecting on the past year, expressing gratitude, and sharing hopes for the future.]

Cheers to another year,

4. Essay Letter Writing for New Year’s Resolutions – Setting Intentions for the Year Ahead

As the New Year approaches, it offers a fresh canvas on which to paint the aspirations, goals, and intentions for the coming months. In the spirit of new beginnings, I wanted to share my reflections on the year gone by and outline the resolutions that will guide my path in the year ahead.

[Continue with the body of the essay, reflecting on achievements and challenges of the past year, and outlining specific resolutions.]

Wishing you a wonderful New Year,

Feel free to customize these letters of Essay Letter Writing in different occasions based on the specific occasion and your personal sentiments. Adjust the language, tone, and content to suit the nature of the event or celebration.

College Admission Essay Letter Writing

Writing a college admission Essay Letter Writing is an important step in the application process. Below is a sample college admission essay letter:

[College Admissions Office] [College/University Name] [College/University Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear Admissions Committee,

I am writing to express my sincere interest in joining the [College/University Name] community as a [Your Intended Major] major. As a passionate and dedicated student, I am eager to contribute to and benefit from the academic environment and unique opportunities offered by your esteemed institution.

Introduction: Ever since I attended [Your High School Name], I have been inspired by the pursuit of knowledge and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. [Provide a brief introduction to your academic background and interests.]

Why [College/University Name]? [College/University Name] stands out to me as the ideal place to further my academic journey due to [mention specific reasons such as renowned faculty, exceptional programs, unique resources, or a particular campus culture]. The [Your Intended Major] program, in particular, aligns perfectly with my academic and career aspirations.

Unique Qualities and Achievements: Throughout high school, I have consistently demonstrated my commitment to excellence in [mention specific academic or extracurricular achievements]. These experiences have not only shaped my character but have also prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that a rigorous academic environment like [College/University Name] provides.

Contributions to Campus Life: I am excited about the prospect of contributing to the vibrant campus life at [College/University Name]. My experiences in [mention relevant extracurricular activities or community service] have instilled in me a sense of leadership, teamwork, and social responsibility.

Personal Growth and Goals: Beyond academics, I see [College/University Name] as a platform for personal growth and exploration. I am eager to immerse myself in the diverse learning experiences, engage with a community of like-minded individuals, and broaden my perspectives.

Conclusion: In conclusion, I believe that my passion for [Your Intended Major], commitment to academic excellence, and dedication to contributing positively to campus life make me a strong candidate for admission to [College/University Name]. I am excited about the prospect of becoming a valuable member of your community and contributing to the rich tapestry of experiences at [College/University Name].

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the vibrant academic environment at [College/University Name].

[Your Full Name] [Your High School Graduation Year] [Your Signature – if sending a physical letter]

Feel free to customize this letter based on your specific experiences, aspirations, and the requirements of the college or university you are applying to. It’s important to convey your unique qualities, achievements, and reasons for choosing the institution.

FAQS for Essay Letter Writing – Format, Examples, Writing Tips

What is the basic format for an essay letter writing.

The basic format of Essay Letter Writing includes a salutation, introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Include your contact information, date, and a closing signature. The structure may vary depending on the type of letter and audience.

How do I start an essay letter?

Start with a salutation addressing the recipient. In the introduction, engage the reader with a compelling hook, such as a question, quote, or personal anecdote, to draw them into your essay.

What should I include in the body paragraphs of an essay letter?

Each body paragraph should focus on a specific point or idea related to your topic. Include supporting evidence, examples, or personal experiences to strengthen your arguments or convey your message effectively.

How do I end an essay letter?

Conclude your essay letter by summarizing key points, reiterating the main message, or providing a call to action. End with a closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Can you provide examples of Essay Letter Writing for different purposes?

Certainly! Essay Letter Writing Examples include job application essay letters, college admission essay letters, letters to friends on specific topics, and letters addressing various occasions. Tailor the content based on the purpose and audience.

Essay Letter Writing is an important skill that has been around for centuries. It serves as a means of communication and expression of ideas and emotions. With the advancement of technology, letter writing has evolved, but its importance has not diminished. Whether it is a formal business letter or a personal letter to a friend, the art of letter writing requires attention to detail, clear communication, and an understanding of the audience.

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Tips for Reading an Assignment Prompt

Asking analytical questions, introductions, what do introductions across the disciplines have in common, anatomy of a body paragraph, transitions, tips for organizing your essay, counterargument, conclusions.

IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

• Test Information FAQ
• Band Scores
• IELTS Candidate Success Tips
• Computer IELTS: Pros & Cons
• How to Prepare
• Useful Links & Resources
• Recommended Books
• Writing Task 1
• Writing Task 2
• Speaking Part 1 Topics
• Speaking Part 2 Topics
• Speaking Part 3 Topics
• 100 Essay Questions
• On The Day Tips
• Top Results
• Advanced IELTS

IELTS Letter Writing Tips: Essential Top 10 Tips

Essential IELTS Letter Writing Tips for General Training Writing Task 1. Learn the right approach and techniques to get a high score in your IELTS GT letter. This page was last updated in 2023.

On this page, you will find:

• Instructions about IELTS Letter Writing with Tips
• Types of IELTS Letters
• Letter Aims
• Opening your Letter
• Signing Off
• Structure & Paragraphs
• Planning your Letter
• Model Letters

1. Instructions for IELTS Letters

You will be given instructions and three points to include in your letter.Below is an example of the type of instructions you can get:

You recently had a holiday visiting your friends and you stayed in their house. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: thank your friend for staying with them tell them what you enjoyed most about the holiday explain you are sending photos of the holiday with the letter

Tips for IELTS letter writing:

• Spend 20 mins on this letter. Spend 3 -5 mins planning and then the rest writing. Always leave 2 mins to check your letter for spelling or grammar mistakes. You will need a full 40 mins for task 2, so don’t go over 20 mins for task 1. It is your responsibility to control the time in your writing test. Keep your eye on the clock.
• You should write over 150 words (aim for between 160 and 180 to be safe). Writing a letter over 200 words is a waste of time. You don’t get a higher score for length.
• Your letter is worth 33% of your final writing score. See this page: How your final writing score is calculated
• You do NOT need to write an address on the letter. The first words will probably be “Dear” and then a name or title.
• Pay close attention to who you are writing to and the relationship you have with that person. This will decide your style of writing and your tone.
• Pay attention to the aim and purpose of the letter. You must fulfil the purpose of the letter.
• It is essential that you use the three bullet points to structure your letter and provide the foundation for the information. This doesn’t mean that you write in bullet points, it means that you use the bullet points to create the content for paragraphs, for example the information for the first bullet point will be one paragraph.
• All points must be included clearly in your letter. If you fail to include all the points in your letter, your band score will be lower. This relates to Task Achievement which is 25% of your marks.
• You must use your imagination to fill in details and decide the names of the people in your letter.
• Begin your letter by addressing the person and then an opening line. Always sign off appropriately. The way you address the person and the opening line will change depending on the style of letter, the person you are writing to and the purpose of the letter.

2. Types of IELTS Letter

There are three different types of letters: personal (informal), semi-formal and formal. Each type of letter will use different language. It will have a different beginning and a different way of signing off.  Before you start writing, you should decide which type of letter you must write by identifying the task given. Below are examples of the three different types of letters.

Informal Letter (or Personal Letter)

You would like to invite a foreign friend to visit you for your birthday Write a letter inviting your friend. In your letter: tell your friend about your birthday explain how much the visit would mean to you suggest that your friend stays at your house for the visit

A personal letter is to someone you have a personal relationship, a friend who you meet or used to meet in your free time to socialise with inside your home. The content is about something social or personal, such as a holiday, party. Both the person and content are informal in nature.

Semi-formal Letter

You give advice to your friend who is seeking work. Write a letter advising your friend about a job  tell your friend which job it is explain why you think it is a suitable job advise your friend about the application process

You would like to ask your boss for time off work. Write a letter requesting time off work. In your letter: explain why you are requesting time off work give details of dates explain how you will ensure you will keep up with your work 

As you can see, I’ve provided two examples of a Semi-Formal letter. Both are semi-formal, but one is slightly more informal and the other is slightly more formal. 

• Semi-Formal / Informal: This means it is not 100% informal. Your relationship with the person is informal but the letter content is very serious, such as about work or education. Your letter might start with “Dear John” or “Hi John”, this means a more informal style of writing, but with much more serious content. 
• Semi-Formal / Formal: This means the letter is not 100% formal because you know the person. But you don’t know this person in your private life or home life so this relationship is not informal. This person is someone you know professionally, such as a colleague, boss, teacher, or a neighbour.  The style will be more formal, but your language will not be completely the same as a fully formal letter. The way you address the person might vary: your colleague “Dear Bob”, but your boss or neighbour “Dear Mr Brown”. 

Note: You might find teachers vary slightly in how they categorise letters. Some teachers only have two categories of letters (Formal and Informal) and some teachers have three categorise but they might vary from mine. Teachers do not do this to confuse you. Each teacher chooses their categories because they think it is the best way to help you understand the letter style and content. Therefore, choose the categorisation that works best for you to have a clear understanding.

Formal Letter

You are interested in applying for a scholarship program to study at a foreign University. Write a letter to inquire about the course. In your letter: explain which course you are interested in tell what you know about the University explain why you should receive the scholarship

A formal letter is to someone you have no relationship with about a very formal matter. The person is actually a position in a company, organisation or university. So, you are writing to the position, rather than a person. Examples of formal letters are to a magazine editor, hotel manager, local council, a college or university (not a teacher) or customer services department at a company.  You would address the letter as “Dear Sir/Madam” because you don’t even know the gender of the person you are writing to. To sum up, the person is unknown and content is formal.

3. Letter Aims

Letters can be based on different content which will affect the style of the letter. Below is a list of some of the common contents for letters. Although there are hints about whether the letters are usually formal or not, please note that you will know the style by reading the instructions given to you.

• complaints (usually formal)
• invitations (usually personal or semi-formal)
• applications or resignations (usually formal)
• request (any style common)
• making arrangements (often formal)
• explanation (sometimes semi-formal or personal)
• informative / news letter (often personal/ semi-formal but formal can also appear)
• apology (could be any style)

 4. Letter Openings

Letters usually start with an opening statement which explains the reason for writing the letter. This opening statement varies depending on whether you are writing a formal or informal letter. Below are two examples of an opening statement. Can you spot which one is formal, semi-formal and informal?

A)  I am writing this letter with regards to the scholarship program to study at London University which I read in Sunday Times on December 1st, 2014.

B)  It’s been so long since we last were in touch but I haven’t forgotten all the wonderful times we spent together last year. It’s my birthday coming up and I wanted to invite you over to stay at my place for the celebration.

C) I’m just writing to say thank you for the offer of joining your company.

5. Signing Off

Depending on the style and aim of the letter, you will need to adapt your sign off. Below you can see how the salutations (the way you address the person at the start) matches the sign off.

• Dear Sir / Madam = Yours faithfully,  (formal letters – to a hotel manager, magazine editor, company complains department)
• Dear Mr Robson = Yours sincerely, (semi-formal / formal letters – to a boss, teacher, neighbour)
• Dear John = Best regards (semi-formal / formal – to a colleague at work)
• Dear John = Best wishes (semi-formal / informal letters – to a friend about work or something serious)
• Dear Dave = Best wishes (informal- to a friend about something social)
• As you can see, some sign offs use a Sir/Madam, sometimes we use the title with the surname (family name) and sometimes we use the first name (given name) without a title.
• You use Sir/Madam when you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to. But please note, not to use such a title in your speaking test.
• If you have a semi formal relationship with the person whose name you know, who you have met and who you know, you use “Mr Brown”. This is to a person who you don’t know social with in your private life and who is in a position of authority above you, such as a boss, teacher etc.
• You can use “Dear John” with a semi-formal / formal letter to a colleague. Certainly, you don’t socialise with this person outside of work, but they are on the same level as you at work and you have more relaxed working relationship with them.
• We use no title and no last name when we write to a friend. We only use their first name (given name).

Below are some examples of final comments before signing off, can you tell which ones are formal and which not?

It’ll be great to catch up again soon. Give my best to everyone in the family. (informal)

I look forward to hearing from you. (formal)

Note: there are other ways of giving a final comment but it depends on the content of the letter you are writing. See my model letters (links below) to see this.

You should write a name at the end of your letter. You can use your name or you can invest one. Likewise, to address the person you are writing to, you can invent a name.

6. Grammar: Formal and Informal

Formal and informal (friendly) letters contain different language and style of writing. While informal letters can contain contractions ( I’m writing …), these contractions are unacceptable in formal writing so you need to write the words in full ( I am writing …. …).

In a formal letter, you could write “I am writing with regards to ….”,  whereas for a semi-formal letter you can write “I’m writing about…” or “I’m writing to let you know that ..” or “I just want to tell you that..”. So, it is important to adapt your writing to suit the style of the letter. Also remember to use a range of different sentence structures in order to get a high score.

You’ll also get a score for a range of sentence structure and grammar features as well as tenses. Pay attention to articles(the / a / plural nouns), prepositions, word order etc.

7. Vocabulary: Formal and Informal

For vocabulary, be very careful using academic language in a personal letter. This would be inappropriate and will reduce your band score rather than increase it. Here are some examples of the difference between formal and informal language:

• You will be collected at the airport = I’ll pick you up at the airport
• The next available appointment is on Thursday = how about we meet up on Thursday?
• I would like to invite you to visit my house on…. = Why don’t you pop round to my place on …..
• I highly recommend that you come in August = it’d be great if you came in August
• Please respond at the earliest convenience = Get back to me as soon as you can
• Unfortunately I will not be able to attend  on … = Sorry, but I won’t be able to make it on ….

IELTS will give you bullet points as content. It is your task to expand these bullet points into paragraphs with details. You need to invent those details. And, of course, details require appropriate vocabulary.

8. Spelling and Punctuation

The examiner will check your accuracy in your spelling and your punctuation (this means your use of commas and full stops). If you make frequent errors in spelling or in punctuation it is unlikely to get over band score 6. Spelling is part of the marking criterion of Vocabulary and punctuation is part of the marking criterion of Grammar.

9. Structure and Paragraphs

You must also organise your letter into paragraphs. This is an essential part of your letter writing and the examiner will be marking you on your ability to use effective paragraphing. In IELTS writing task 1 (GT), the letter structure below is most common as it usually follows the three points which you must include in your letter. However you must adapt it to suit the task given to you by IELTS. So spend time reading the instructions and deciding your paragraphing.

• address to the person (name and possibly title as explained previously on this page)
• opening statement – reason for writing and in an informal letter to a friend it might also include a personal greeting.
• body paragraph A (first bullet point expanded into a paragraph with detail)
• body paragraph B (second bullet point expanded into a paragraph with detail)
• body paragraph C (third bullet point expanded into a paragraph with detail)
• closing statement (if needed)
• signing off
• name (choose a name or use your own)

10. Planning Your Letter

You should spend at least 3 or 4 minutes planning your letter. Covering all the points in your letter, adding details, using the appropriate style of letter writing and using paragraphs well count for about 50% of your marks. So it’s worth taking time to plan your letter well. Follow the points below for a well planned letter:

• read the instructions
• identify what style of letter you must write
• read through the points you must include in your letter
• think about how many paragraphs you will have and where to put each point
• plan what information you will add to each point
• decide how to open the letter
• think about the language you will use (both grammar and vocabulary) – it must suit the style of the letter
• decide how to close the letter
• plan the content of each body paragraph
• start writing

11. Model Letters for IELTS GT

• Apology Letter: Model Answers Formal & Informal
• Amendment Letter: Model Answer 2017
• Complaint Letter: Model Answer
• Complaint Letter: Error Correction
• Letter to a Friend: Model Answer
• Invitation Letter: Model Answer
• Collection of IELTS Sample Letters for Practice

Also Review

• How to Improve your IELTS GT Letter
• Differences between GT & Academic Writing

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You have seen an advertisement in an Australian magazine for someone to live with a family for six months and look after their six-year-old child. Write a letter to the parents. In your letter • explain why you would like the job • give details of why you would be a suitable person to employ • say how you would spend your free time while you are in Australia

Dear Parents,

I am writing to express my keen interest in the job advertised in the Australian magazine this week. The primary criteria involve residing with family and caring for a six-year-old child. Having recently relocated from Canada to Australia, I am currently in a six-month waiting period before commencing a teaching position. This job opportunity aligns perfectly with my schedule, as the current employee’s early retirement coincides with my availability.

Firstly, Let me introduce myself; I am Rita, known for my award-winning specialized sports techniques for kindergarten students at The York School in Canada. For instance, coaching an eight-year-old boy in roller skating led to his gold medal. My passion for nurturing children’s physical growth drives my enthusiasm for this position, particularly in countering the trend of children spending more time indoors so you and your child can gain some physical benefit after employing me.

Furthermore, I have a profound love for travel, complementing my teaching endeavors. I have already compiled a list of destinations I wish to explore, including natural attractions like lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. Additionally, I am eager to attend cultural events such as the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the world’s second-largest annual arts festival. I look forward to meeting you to discuss the possibility of employment. Yours sincerely, Ms. Rita Kapoor

Requesting you to please score it this the first time I have written this. Pls…

Just a quick comment. You should not address this letter as “Dear Parents”. You would know the name of the people you are applying to because it’s a position within a particular family. So, “Dear Mr and Mrs Brown” would be correct.

I have missed you on you tube. You no longer post videos, hope you are great.

Esther, Your friend from Nigeria ❤️

Thanks. I’m hoping to post an update video on my personal situation soon, but I’m just waiting for the right time.

The provided bar graph illustrate the percentage rate of as population aged 65 and over in Japan, Sweden and USA between 1940 and 2040

overall, it is readily apparent that the Japan had the lowest percentage rate in the first year. However, it is going to outraced both countries while, sweden and Japan has the Similar upward trend.

In 1940, Japan faced the downward trend between middle of the than it rocketed and over 25% in the upcoming year (2040) , yet sweden had the similar trend as compare to Japan , Sweden also going to show the upward trend in the future year (2040) while, being outraced by Japan

On the other hand, USA has highest percentage rate in 1940, however in the year (1980-2020) it stable and rise a bit in the upcoming year (2040).

Dear Jaspreet,

How have you been since we last met?

I don’t know if you remember, But I’m writing to invite you to my 22nd birthday which I’ll be celebrating in Hotel Delta on 23rd Nov 2023.

I still remember the moments we cherished together while on vacation in the United Kingdom, I will be more than happy if you’ll be able to come. Your presence would mean the world to me. Having you by my side on this significant occasion would make it even more memorable.

Also when you’ll be coming, Make sure to plan for at least 2 weeks because I want you to stay in my house which I recently bought. During your stay, we’ll have plenty of time to reconnect, explore the area, and create new memories.

Can’t wait to see you!

Warm regards, Japsimran Singh

Your words have the ability to uplift and inspire people from all walks of life.

Thanks. That’s really kind. I’m glad I have the impact to encourage others.

I recently came across a topic to write a letter to a singer do you think it should be formal?

It really depends on the instructions given with the topic. Most letters to singers will be fan letters which aren’t particularly formal but more informal in nature. But as I said, it depends on the other instructions given by IELTS.

It’s been a long since we last met, I hope things are going well your side. Although it’s been a one long year since we met, it still feels very fresh in my mind as it rejuvenated our good old days.

It’s my birthday coming up this June and I was wondering if you can take your time and visit me on my birthday. It will really mean a lot to me as I want to spend this precious moment with some special people of my life. I am deciding to visit nearby hill station on my birthday week, and explore some mind-boggling food, along with some beautiful sight-seeing.

Since it will be a summer that time and you know how beautiful and happening British Columbia is, we can also indulge ourselves in some recreational activities like hiking, water games, and many more. Also, you don’t have to worry about booking any home as you know I have an own apartment and you can stay with me. Let me know once you make your mind, so that I can apply plan accordingly. I am looking to hear a positive revert from your side.

Regards, Bhavesh

Dear Amy, Last week was fun. I can’t believe it is over already. I want to thank you for an amazing week in the cabin and I was touched by the hospitality of your family. I forever will cherish our time together. When we came back home from the cabin, I started packing my stuff up because I had to leave early in the morning for Dakota. The train was scheduled to leave at 7 sharp and among packing, bidding farewells and leaving at a reasonable hour for train, I accidentally left my wallet on your couch. It is unfortunate, I know and yes, I am a little irresponsible, just stop judging me. Now the thing is, I have my driving license, debit and credit cards inside the wallet and I can not function without them understandably. I have an exam on Saturday, that’s in 4 days and I need my driving license because the bus station is around an hour away from where I live. Be a darling and send me the wallet by post as soon as possible. It would be a huge favor and I’d definitely owe you one, no questions asked. Take care, Elina

Hi Liz, I was going through your grammar E book . It is really interesting. I usually get confused when to use ing after to and when to is used as a to infinitive form. Statement from E book: “People who dedicate their lives to saving others should be respected by society.” My question is why can’t we say save instead of saving in above sentence. Your response shall be highly appreciated.😊 Amrit

I’m glad you’ve got my Grammar E-book. The word “saving” is a noun, not a verb. The word “to” is a preposition connected to the verb “dedicated”. “People dedicate their lives to something”. For example, “she dedicated her life to music” or “she dedicated her life to playing the piano”. Another example of such language: – I look forward to hearing from you. – I look forward to your response. – I look forward to my birthday. The word “to” is a preposition connected to the verb “look forward”. The word “hearing” is a noun, the same as the words “your response” and “my birthday”. “. Go to the “Gerund” chapter in my Grammar E-book to learn about nouns like “saving” – Chapter 6 in Volume I.

Hey D., I already feel nostalgic for the holidays that we spent together and the memories that we created to cherish forever. Thank you, for your amazing hospitality. On that note, I was wondering if you saw my wallet at your place, seemingly, I forgot it there before leaving. I remember collecting and packing everything except the wallet which is usually in my denim back pocket, however, it wasn’t there. I realized it a bit late but I am sure I left it in the guest room on the bed’s side table. Just in case, you don’t find it at the designated place, then look around the bed counters. It’s a black Tommy Hilfiger case that glows in the dark so it generally grabs attention. I will be grateful if you could send it back to me since it’s a gift from Angela and she would get upset to see that I don’t have it on me. You can send the priority mail which would reach me in 2-3 business days. Needless to mention the whole address as you already know it, however, P.O. box number is recently updated to 4506. Also, We should plan next summer vacation soon. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes, Manila

Hi Liz, Your website was instrumental in helping me get great scores back in 2017. I am now revisiting your website again after all these years to take another stab at IELTS as my old scores have expired since. So first off I want to extend my sincere thanks to you for keeping this content free and accessible for all. Your website is a real treasure. I have recommended this blog to others on several occasions…

Onto my question – Is a subject or heading required for the writing task 1? And does the letter need to be dated? – I plan to take the computer based version in about two weeks time.

Cheers. Regards, Mohamed

For GT letters, you don’t need headings, titles, dates, addresses or anything like that. The first words will be “Dear …” or “Hi …”. And then you sign off with a fake name in the form that suits the type of letter you are writing. See the model letters which are linked on the page above.

Dearest Liz, This world needs more people like you! Stay blessed, strong and healthy.Best wishes from Sri Lanka. With Best regards, Imasha Shehani

That’s really kind. Thanks and greetings to everyone in beautiful Sri Lanka 🙂

Hey Liz I’m scared of the IELTS exam, I’m still studying hoping to write it soon, thanks so much for ur videos and teaching 💖

Is “Dear Sir / Madam” and “Yours faithfully” counted in the word count?

Yes. All words you write on your answer sheet are counted. Each individual word.

Hi Elizabeth, I bought a Grammar e-book 20 minutes ago but I misspelled my email address. So, I haven’t received a link to reach my digital purchases. How can I reach you to solve the problem? Thank you

No problem. I’ve just emailed you. Check both your inbox and spam folder.

Thank you. Got It.

Hi Liz give me feedback of this following informal/personal letter about giving a birthday invitation to a foreign friend. Many Thanks..!!!

Hi David, It has been a long time since we have finished our graduation in UK. I am not sure whether you remember, my birthday is coming up on 4th March. So I am writing this letter to invite you cordially to visit my country on the occasion of my birthday. Since we finished our graduation, you have no idea how much I miss my student life specially the late night conversations and weekends outings I used to have with you. As soon as I returned my home country Bangladesh, I joined with my father’s business. With the busy schedules, I did not realize that it has been more than 5 years since we saw each other. I just wanted to have a break from my monotonous life and I think it would a great opportunity to meet you again and it will be an amazing vacation for you. You once expressed an interest to visit my country. So why don’t you have a leave and spend a month with me and my family? Once you decide on your plan, let me know what date you want to come and I will pick you up from the airport. I will make arrangements for you to stay in our house. Please let me know the date you want to come and really hoping that you will be able to make this trip for me. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Truly yours, Deb

Thank you so much Liz. I took my exam yesterday and your instructions made it an amazing experience. God bless.

I’m so glad it went well. Fingers crossed for your results 🙂

fingers crossed very nice word.

Hi Deb, I just want to thank you for making an effort of inviting me in your country I really appreciate it but there are moments and situations of our lives that is beyond our control even if how we hardly pushed to make it well in our favor . I wrote this letter to let you know that I can’t make it to be with you in your birthday because of my job I can’t just file a leave for that long vacation. I know that my presence in that important occasion makes that celebration more meaningful for you and your family but as far as I would love to be with you in that special day of yours, but there circumstances won’t allow me to do so, I know what you feel right now reading my letter but . I just want to express my deep regret of not being there for you. Nevertheless I just want greet you a Happiest Birthday in advance, I hope that it’ll become a successful event for you and your love ones and all the party goers , just enjoy the whole event it, That’s your day. And I believed that there are some other time we can make it on our way soon. I hope that you will understand my situation, and it won’t affect our long time friendship wishing you the best

Yours truly Marvin

Hi Liz, could u please assist my letter, this is my 1st letter and sharing approximate writing score band would be useful.

Dear Ahmed,

Thanks for borrowing me your advanced new camera. I’m writing to express my appreciation and my apology.

Actually, I was using your camera during my trip to Alexandria and I accidentally drop it in the water. I immediately picked it up and tried to dry it with all possible ways. It worked for some days but the taken photos were not that clear and it suddenly stopped working again.

I really apologize for this unintended accident, I was really trying to do my best to keep your camera in a safe place and not to share it with any family member.

Please accept my apologize and allow me to fix this issue. Please send me camera model number as I can’t find it and the best place that buy this brand of cameras.

Again, I really apologize for this issue and I hope it doesn’t affect our relationship..

Yours sincerely, Ali

Ali, If you write a letter to a friend it should be an informal one in IELTS. I would suggest aligning with the tone. like you have used accept apologies, express a token of appreciation, these words are more formal and not appropriate to use in informal letters.

Artists need a certain amount of freedom to develop their creativity. Some people think that artists should have total freedom to express any thoughts and ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Artists should have the freedom to a certain extent to show their talent and expertise in society. Some people agree that freedom must be provided to creative people so that they can easily express their thoughts and what they have learned among us. In my opinion, freedom should be given but no one should come in harm’s way for one’s freedom. Having freedom means sharing ideas, experiences, and talents freely, without having the fear of consequences. After being influenced by the following, there are higher chances that more people jump into fields like arts, painting, drama, and many more. Being an expert in these things can be helpful to elaborate our culture along with our ethics and keep them alive. Moreover, many people try to use their talents to bring attention to our society towards social issues in many ways. That time, it reflects as a unity. During the farmers’ strike in India, many famous celebrities came forward and put a step forward to reach out their concern to the government.

On the other hand, freedom doesn’t mean mocking someone’s feelings, religion, and disability. Needless to say, that creations should be constructive always, not destructive. Additionally, there should be no sense of tension and stress related to arts, as these activities are stress buster. Many incidents were noticed that lots of artworks like paintings created a nuisance. To illustrate, M.F Hussain is a famous painter in India who portraited a nude Hindu goddess which created chaos in that community. In addition to this, objectifying women in various art may impact negatively the young generation. Hence, these kinds of actions are against the positivity and emotions which may arise riots.

To recapitulate, freedom within a limit is advisable so that our culture and values stay alive through generations, and beyond that, no one can humiliate anyone’s emotions by any means of art and thus, no negative footprints.

Can you chak my essey semple?

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

there are some differences toward the options in the number of male and female at the university. It is argued that equal numbers of genders should be accepted to every subject. There are some justifications which will be discussed in this following essay about accepting equal both sexes in every subject and some me against express to that view.

On the one hand, both genders to accept equal numbers in every subject is not practical method in the university. Subjects that are preferred by male who are chosen ones. For example, medicine lessons are selected more by female than male due to some reasons that are obviously studied more to the nurses by females have more express to look after patients. However, number of females are highly skilled in creativity engineers lessons compared to men students. Despite preferring to accept numbers of gender in every subject. that may confuse to get education in both sexes.

On the other hand, there are clear reasons to why numbers of gender should be received in some lesson. Firstly, according to latest researches, girls have same ability in some fields compared to men in terms of express and mastering science. Even in some sciences it is discussed that girls are smarter than male based on their performance at the universities like technology lessons which are required female employees instead of men due to make it happen such a registration in the internet company. Hence, universities should provide same gender in some lessons that female workers need to accept such kind of fields are emphasized above. To conclude, this essay discussed that although accept equal number of female and male seems to be unreliable. In my opinion, it is beneficial to increase the rate of female students to provide employees.

Hi Liz, Is it alright to use ‘that’s saying something’ in written English, as it looks to me to be used only in spoken English?

For example, “It was by far the best vacation I’ve had in a very long time, and that’s saying something since I take frequent exotic vacations.”

Thank you for your help!

This isn’t about whether it is written or spoken language. It’s an informal expression used in informal English. If you are writing informally, you can use it.

I have taken the IELTS GT CD and got 6.5 in writing. One of the remarks is that I have inconsistent tone.

Could you please confirm that I did the wrong signing off, which could have affected my score?

The task is about an advertisment on second hand bicycle that I saw from a student of the same university as I am.

The prompt started with “Dear___” I wrote Dear Mr. Johnson = Yours sincerely

Should I end it with “Yours truthfully” instead?

Thanks in advance

The page above explains about titles and signing off. Just take a look and learn the right way. You need to look at the purpose of the letter and also the person you are writing to. You do not need to write in such a formal way to a fellow student. You would write more formally to a teacher, not a student in your own university who is in the same position as yourself. If you met a fellow student in your own university who invited you for pizzas, would you really be so formal in the same way as speaking to a manager of a company? Look at the context, the person, the relationship, the status of the person, the letter aims etc and write accordingly and appropriately. It will negatively affect your score to sign off incorrectly, use the wrong title or use the wrong tone.

First, Thank You so very much for the wonderful lessons that you share. I have found them to be very helpful in my preparations.

My question is in regards to the GT Task 1, writing. The question prompt says to “begin your letter with Dear Sir or Madam”. I am writing to the manager of a hotel, whom I don’t know personally. What is the correct way to begin? Should I say “Dear Sir/Madam” or pick one, either “Dear Sir” or “Dear Ma’am”?

Start as you are instructed: Dear Sir or Madam,

Hi Liz, GT Letter for thanking friend. I wrote the letter. Please comment on it.

Dear John, I reached home after a long journey. It was my dream to go for the hiking, thanks for making it true and you have a loving family I enjoyed staying with you in your home. I must say that you are very lucky that you will get so delicious meals everyday cooked by your Mom, I loved it. Please convey my regards and thanks her. Time flies so fast; one week we spent together will be memorable throughout my life. I really enjoyed the hiking, without you it might be impossible for me. The high mountains with the greenery, springs and scenery, it was like dream for me because living in the city you will not find such things. You remember we took so many photos. My family and friends like them most, now they are also planning the holiday like mine. I am sending you some of our memorable photos; hope you will like them also. If you want to see all photos you can find it on my Instagram or Facebook. Once again I thank you and it will be my pleasure if do visit me in your holidays. Hope to see you soon. Regards, Ahmed

Hi Liz, I would like to know if there’s any change or update in writing task 1 (general training) recently. I once read in an IELTS book that now it is ok to use “kind regards” in Formal letters. It doesn’t make any differences if you use name, tile or sir or madam in the title.

That is not connected to IELTS. That is simply English developing over the decades. Certainly “Kind regards” is very common to use these days at the end of formal letters. IELTS will tell you if you need to use a formal title, such as “Sir”. Otherwise, you must choose either a name with a title, such as Mr or Mrs, or a name without a title which is common in informal letters.

Should we say “less people”, “less cars” or “fewer people”, “fewer cars”? I know grammatically speaking, we should use the latter ones, but I know many English-speaking people use the former ones.

Not sure whether we will be marked down if we use “fewer cars/people”

“fewer” people is actually grammatically correct English. “less people” is actually grammatically incorrect English. However, many English people say “less people”. While you might get away with it in IELTS Speaking, you will be marked down for being incorrect in IELTS Writing.

Hello Liz! here’s the letter I wrote. I think I did good but I need to work more with my time. i times myself and it was more than 20 mins. I practice more. Also, I just want to thank you for all your videos and tips. I am learning so much from you. God bless you and your family.

———————————————————————————————————————– Dear Kim, I am writing to you all to let you know that I enjoyed my vacation staying at your house and I am grateful for all of your warm welcome. Seeing you and the whole family after almost three years really makes my heart joyful. I enjoyed the whole week full of activities, joyrides, good food and catching up with each one of you. Can you imagine all the Filipino desserts we ate? Oh I missed it so much that I ate more than I should. Good thing your mom gave me some to bring home. There are two other things I most enjoyed during my visit. One was going to the beach and just soaking up in the sun. There’s nothing more beautiful than the beaches and sands there, in my opinion. Second was just being able to reminisce all our childhood memories together while enjoying home cooked meals and desserts. Also, remember all the photos I took with my camera? I printed all the nice ones and attached here in my letter. I can also email the others if you wish. Looking forward to see all of you on my next vacation.

Hi Liz . Your free lessons very helpful for everyone. I like your lessons

I’m glad they are useful 🙂

Hi Liz, I found your ielts content very helpful. Please advice if the following is correct to mention in the beginning of task1 ; ‘I want to draw your attention to’ or ‘I would like to bring to your attention’

This is not an expression that is used in IELTS Writing Task 1. Go to my model answers for diagrams and see how I write them.

Dear, how can i get your model answers for diagrams, I’m new in IELTS. Please help me.

Go to the main writing task 1 section of this website.

I have a question on grammatical range and accuracy. Are we permitted to use exclamation marks in the IELTS general training letter writing task 1? Or should I just stick to using commas, apostrophes and full stops? For example: Can I write the sentence below with an exclamation at the end or should I use a full stop? Thank you for your wonderful blog and videos.

Hope you’re well. I’m writing with some bad news, I’m afraid!

Avoid using exclamation marks in IELTS. Commas and full stops are enough for a band score 9.

Alright, thank you 🙂

Is it ok if the words go beyond the line in the answer sheet?

Do you mean, is it ok if the writing on the sheet is messy? The answer is “No, it isn’t ok”. The examiner must be able to read it all very carefully. Also make sure you stay within the lines. Being one or two letters over is fine, but try to stay within the lines and keep things tidy.

Firstly thanks for your tips. I scored 9 in Listening & Reading, 8 in Speaking but only 6.5 in writing. My strongest assumption is that i lost points because of punctuation errors. I would really appreciate if you can provide some tips on that.

Thanks again!!

I will be publishing a Grammar E-book in about 6 weeks which will contain a chapter on punctuation. In total, it will be 272 pages in length and also have a Workbook for exercises included. I suggest you get it when it is released. Just subscribe to this site (for free) to get an email notification when it’s ready.

You are organising a party for your colleagues. Write a letter to them and say What happened at the last year’s party Give suggestions on how to make it better Mention the venue, date and time to meet

I am writing this letter to provide all the information about the annual party which is being organised during this month.

I understand that there were various issues faced by many people at the last year’s party. The main problem was that the quality of food and beverages was quite bad. Not only this, it was not enough for 100 people. Also, the music got turned off very early. However, we are trying to compensate for it in this year.

I would like to suggest that please provide the confirmation in the next 2 days so that we can inform the exact count to the vendor. Furthermore, we have requested the vendor to play the music till 11 pm. I would request you all to reach the venue on time so that we have ample time to enjoy on the dance floor.

The party is organised on Saturday, 14th of December from 6 pm onwards at The Palms Garden.

Please message or call me in case you have any questions or concerns.

Yours sincerely, Priya Agarwal

Liz, thanks a lot for your wonderful web-site and tons of useful information. Your web-site helped me a lot during my preparation. (hugging emoji)

I’m so glad it’s useful for you! Hugs back 🙂

Hi Liz- Thanks for such rich information! When it comes to name’s titles – I was told to add Dot after Mr. Mrs. Dr. even J.K. Rolling. In your training, however, titles appear without a “dot”. Could you please advise which way is considered right by the IELTS examiners?

Many thanks! Lirone

It is common in modern English to omit the dot. So, it’s up to you if you want to use it or not.

I have one query, If while writing letter or for that matter essay if i make some mistake and i strike the sentence and write it over, is it going to cost me any negative marking or bad impression? Looking forward to your response and thanks a lot for your help.

IT is completely fine to delete errors and change words. As long as the examiner can easily read your writing, it is fine.

A small question. What if we forget to write Dear Sir / Madam at the start of the letter. Assuming all the other points are adequately covered and cohesion is maintained, how much band score can be expected if we miss the opening salutation?? Please suggest.

There is no such rule about how much it would impact your score. It falls under the criteria of task achievement and it would have an impact along with everything else that impacts that particular marking criterion.

Thank you so much for your fantastic content. Really appreciate your intent to help the masses and saving their time and other resources. I have a question pertaining to the conclusion of GT task 1 letter seeking help or requesting something. Is it appropriate to thank the reader in advance for their help or suggestions?

Thanks in advance 🙂

There is no such thing as a conclusion in a letter. You have a final remark which is either based on the aims of the formal letter or a friendly farewell for a friend. Please see the model letters which are linked to the page above.

Thanks a lot Liz for your response. However, you still haven’t answered his/her question which is, “Is it appropriate to thank the reader in advance…?”

Without seeing the letter aims and instructions, it is not possible to say. You can’t decide on a fixed sentence for such a range of possible tones, aims, styles and people. A request letter could be to anyone about anything. You need to write something that is based on the information presented to you in the test. A high band score is about being flexible, not deciding before hand which sentence you will write. If you are asking your teacher for a reference letter – you would not thank them for reading your request letter – that wouldn’t be normal. However, you might say “Looking forward to hearing back from you.” or “I appreciate your help and look forward to hearing back from you.” My advice is pay attention to the letter aims, the person you are writing to and the prompts – then think about what information and sentence to write.

While practising my letters I have noticed that I do write the requirements from the question but I often while changing paragraphs simply start with the ask. Is it going to be a problem or my letters should be in sync with the last paragraph that I have written.

You are being marked on a logical order of information in both your letter and your essay. It is essential that the reader (examiner) can easily follow the order – no surprises. For the letter, you must follow the order of the bullet points given.

Hello! Great fantastic website! Sorry if I am repeating myself on this, I may have skipped your opinion on this. When we write a letter and if it says introduce yourself, how do we end the letter? I assume in the first paragraph you introduce yourself. Wouldn’t it be repetitive to have your name two times in the letter writing task? Thanks!

All letters have your name at the end – regardless of the content of the letter. That is a fixed thing. When it comes to following instructions and the prompts ask you to introduce yourself, it is in the context of the letter. If it is a letter to a company to complain, then you introduce yourself as a customer – not as a chatty friend. You must look at the aims of the letter and keep all content appropriate.

First of all thank you for all your efforts trying to help people for free! especially when you help people that you don’t know! When it comes to self study/training, listening and reading are quite easy to prepare on your own, but writing is not. I feel that I need my essays reviewed by experienced teacher and feedback provided. Liz, do you offer such lessons? would you be kind to respond by email or comment, program cost/content for Writing lessons only? All I need is my essays reviewed by you and feedback/marking given.

best regards, Mazdak

Sorry, I don’t offer marking or any private lessons.

First tell me if I addressed you correctly with ‘Hello Liz’, considering we don’t know each other in person.

Secondly tell me if it is right to mention ones name in the introductory paragraph, example, ‘this is John from finance department and I am writing with regards to..’ or should one only mention name while signing off.

Will be thankful for your help.

Regards, Ghulam

1. Yes, it’s fine 🙂 2. No, you shouldn’t. Your name is at the bottom of the letter. Take a look at the model letters linked in the page above – they are written exactly as they should be in the test.

One of your model letters start with”my name is John Davidson and I am one of your frequent customers”

What’s the rule for mentioning your name in the introductory paragraph?

If the instructions clearly state – introduce yourself – then you know it is time to introduce yourself in the letter. Just follow instructions.

With reference to writing a letter to former teacher, please clarify whether it is appropriate to ask “Hope you are doing well” as you know the teacher for a very long time. I have this doubt as the letter would be in formal style. Thank you in advance for helping me out.

You rock as always.

Take Care, Aditi Dhilip

I would not use it. You do not have a close or personal relationship with your teacher. A former teacher does not mean you have known the person for years. It means you new the person many years ago and probably haven’t been in touch for many years. You need to keep a formal style.

Thank you so much Mrs Liz

I gave the exam last weekend and I feel I didn’t do well. My letter topic was: You lost your driver license and someone returned it to you Write a letter to thank. Tell him/her why its important for you. Say what you want to do for them in return.

Now to answer this semi-formal letter, I got confused as to how to address this person. I would probably know their name but neither gender nor age. Should I have said Dear Sir/Madam? I just wrote Dear Mr. John…

Can you please suggest?

Thanks, Tim

IELTS usually tell you if you need to start “Dear Sir/Madam”. You know the name of this person because they returned your license to you. So, you would address them as “Dear My Jones”. You would never write “Dear My John” because the name John is a first name and we do not use titles with only a first name. Age is not a factor in addressing someone in the English language. That is a factor influencing other cultures.

They just mentioned that to start as Dear.. so I wrote dear Mr. John.. Did I do it wrongly. My friend wrote as Dear Sir or Madam. How wrong do you think his approach was?

Thanks again Liz.

It is wrong to write “Dear Sir” because you already know the name of the person. It is also wrong to write “Dear Mr John” because John is a first name and we only use the title “Mr” if we state the last name.

First of all I want to thank you for your service. Sometime back I asked you on how to start a letter on which its not clear what the purpose is. Thankfully, you helped. On the same note, I can’t figure out how to end it..

Example Letter: Write a letter to a newspaper regarding condition of a local building which is of great importance. Why is this building important, what is wrong with it and what action do you suggest.

Firstly, its not clear what a newspaper is supposed to do. As you said we can write: “I am writing to you concerning the poor condition of …..”

However, at the end I am confused what to write. Do I say that “Please take necessary action and I look forward to your reply”. But this doesn’t seem right…

Or, is it ok to say “I look forward to my letter being published in your newspaper.” And just end it here. But that doesn’t look like a good reason to write a letter.

What do you suggest Liz?

It is possible to start in the way you have suggested or you could try “I am writing to bring to your attention…” – both options are fine. The ending for a formal letter really depends on what you want or what you expect to happen – and the feelings involved (the tone). It is the expected outcome that you are concluding. If you are merely reporting something, you might say “I hope you will take this into consideration etc”., if you want a response, you would say “I hope to hear back from you etc” or you are complaining the tone will be stronger “I hope to receive a positive response from you etc” or “I hope this matter will be resolved at the earliest possible time etc”. You are writing to an editor because you want the newspaper to pay attention to this issue. That is the reason and your opening line. Your final goal is to have your letter printed or have the newspaper bring this issue into the public eye. So, it is fine to say “I would be grateful if you could publish this letter and bring the issue to light.”. Remember, the editor is not responsible for this problem and if he or she publishes the letter, you would be grateful, so it is fine to use those words in this situation. I hope this helps 🙂

You are amazing!

God bless you…..

Thanks for all your help.

I notice my major problem in writing is spelling mistake. However, the reason for this error is mostly because of time as I am in a rush to finish Please can you recommend a strategy that may help because its affecting my listening as well

Spelling is something that you can fix during your proof reading time after you finish your essay. You should always train to leave time for proof reading. Spelling should not be such a problem for listening because you have time to check your spelling after the recording has finished.

Thank you very much for your helpful tips. They are very systematic and informative. I learn a lot from your articles.

Just one question to ask, when I plan the paragraphs and try to address the three points, should I always follow the given order of the three points? Or it just doesn’t matter at all. Thank you, Liz.

It’s a good question. You are being marked on logical order. You have been given the order of information and you should stick to it.

Hi Liz, Please, I would like to know if it’s ideal to leave a line between Paragraphs. Thanks

Yes, it makes the paragraphs easier to see for the examiner. But this is a recommendation, not a rule.

Please regarding the signing off, my teacher told me back then to put a comma after my surname before my first name.. E. G Yours Faithfully Diamond, Benson

Is it advisable to use a comma before the first name?

You write your first name first and your family name second – there is no comma between them.

Can we sign off letter by writing ‘Sincerely’ only instead of “Yours sincerely”? Would that be acceptable?

Awaiting your response.

No. You need both words.

Hi Liz, Thank you so much for the detailed information. I have a query about using the answer sheet for GT task 1. My teacher told me that we should write from the very first line until the very last line but I can’t understand how because I have written 165 words and still the 2nd page is half empty. Please suggest. is it OK to leave some lines empty if you have finished your letter?

That is complete nonsense. There is no such rule in IELTS at all. Your instructions are to write over 150 words. The requirements for a high band score is that you extend information sufficiently for your letter which means aiming for between 170 and 190 words. Going over 200 words is not recommended. If you need another answer sheet, you can put your hand up and request one.

if i find a spelling is incorrect in the last 2 mins of check, then can i strike off and write the correct spelling ? or should i correct the spelling in the same word itself ? Thanks, Hari

Yes, you can correct spelling. It’s up to you how you do it – as long as the word is easy to read, that is all that matters.

Hi Liz, In case of letter of instruction for this example: you forgot your wallet at friends house after returning from vacation with them and asking to return the wallet. Should we give an address telling them where to return it? or we assume it’s your friend he/she would know your address?

Thank you, Nishtha

Your friend would know your address. Your instructions would be to return it via post and you would refund the postage. Or you will meet up with them tomorrow and pick it up in person. Well done thinking about this point – you are certainly right in considering these things. Always think more about the letter and the relationship between people.

Hi Liz, Pls can you tell me if an underlined letter subject can be used in ielts task 1 formal letters, immediately, after the greeting “Dear Sir”? Pls see an example below. Also, can a signature be scribbled between Yours faithfully, and the writer’s name (John Bolt), for instance?

Request for Additional Leave Days (Subject Underlined)

I am writing to seek the elongation of my official leave period from 26 to 31 days. Etc…………….

After the title in a formal letter, you must write the opening statement which is a full sentence that is a statement of purpose. Don’t write anything else as you have suggested above – not for IELTS.

How about scribbling your signature in between Yours faithfully and your name? Is it right?

Not for IELTS. You definitely shouldn’t put a signature.

Thanks a lot for this question. I have been practicing like this..lol… Thanks Liz

thats really wonderful information A big thank to u ms liz

Hi Liz, This might be a bit of a silly question but i’ll ask anyway; Is the spelling in the IELTS based on English (UK) or English (US)? i.e ending words in “our” rather than “or” and using “ise” rather than “ize”.

Great job with the tips by the way!

You can choose to use either US or UK spelling – don’t mix them.

Hi Liz, Thank you for all the valuable information. I’ve recently taken some tests in which I had to write letters. Some were quite similar to IELTS. However, I was advised not to sign my real name at the end of it, when closing. Instead, I was supposed to write a fictional name so as to prevent fraud in correction. So, can I sign my real name at the end of the IELTS letter? Thank you so much for answering.

Of course you can. Your name is at the top of the paper anyway. However, I mostly advise people to invent names – because the whole letter is fictional, not because of fraud or anything else. At the end of the day, it is 100% your choice and doesn’t affect your score or your personal security. you know you only write your name – you don’t actually put a signature!!

Hi Liz, Please accept my sincere thanks for your support for providing us the most eminent and paramount information with regards to IELTS. I have a one concern about the sentence ” Hope this letter find you in pink of your health”. it this is fine to use in informal letter as opening. Thank you Venuka

It is an overused idiom – don’t use it. It doesn’t show a good level of English. It shows someone with weak English who is trying to impress. It is almost never used in England anymore. Avoid using idioms and stick to other idiomatic language such as phrasal verbs.

Hello Liz, I would be grateful if you could explain me if using French words like “raison d’etre”, “faux pas”, carte blanche etc. are seen as formal words

They are neither formal nor informal. They are used only in specific situations and I would not recommend using them for IELTS writing.

Dear liz, am very grateful for all the wonderful works you have been doing and foe that i say thank you. Please i want to no if you will be penalized if you don’t use contractions in personal letters.

It is not about being penalised. It is about getting a good score. You should use contractions in an informal letter – it shows appropriate use of grammar.

Hi Liz. Thanks a lot for making us available with so much of resources to excel in IELTS exam. I have certain queries on model answers which you have written on certain parts of the paragraphs. I have enlisted my queries below; please help me on the same:

a) Signing off: “I look forward to hearing form you”. Can i replace “hearing” with “hear” i.e. “I look forward to hear from you”

b) Vocabulary : “I highly recommend if you come in August = it’d be great if you came in August.” I believe that “came” should be replaced with “come” i.e. “it’d be great if you come in August” Please help me if i am missing some concepts in interpreting this.

a) No, that is not possible. b) I did not write “I highly recommend if you come in August”. I wrote “I highly recommend that you come in August = it’d be great if you came in August”. One sentence uses a clause “that” and one uses “if”. These are two completely different types of grammar. They are correct as I have written them. You cannot alter the tense of the verb “come” in the first “that” clause. From your questions, it appears your English is not strong enough to be flexible. This means you need to be very careful in your writing because the more errors you make, the lower your score.

Hi Liz, Thank you for sharing these useful informations. I am confused about something; At the end of GT task 1 question, it is written ‘Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,’. Do I have to write ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ again or start to write letter directly? Thanks Cagri

The instructions tell you how to start your letter. That means you start your letter with the words they have given you.

What a great place to learn the IELTS. Can you please tell me if it is wrong to use “Hope this letter finds you well” at the salutation for the formal letter?

If you are writing to the manager to a hotel who you have never met, it would be completely inappropriate to start that way. You always start with an opening line that expresses in formal terms what the letter aim is.

I had a quick question please – for semi-formal letters (such as a letter to a friend about a problem or something related to work), I understand we should be using contractions, like: I’m, you’ve, and others. However, the tone of the letter needs to be appropriate.

Could you please confirm. Thanks.

That’s correct.

dear liz, i am studying for the exam from New Insight Into IELTS by Cambridge and according to one of the model answers written, a letter to a school teacher asking them for a recommendation letter is a semi- formal type. please tell if it’s correct?

Teachers have different ways to categorise letters. I personally would not categorise this letter as semi-formal. For me, it would be formal. It is not to a personal friend, it is to a teacher about a formal subject.

In the above tips you have mentioned that if we are to write to a person we know about a serious situation , it is a semi-formal letter. so, here, if the question says ” write a letter to a teacher you know for a recommendation letter.”, isn’t it a semi-formal letter?

I’ve up-dated the tips to provide you with more information. Please read the page again: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-letter-writing-essential-tips/

Hi Liz, Your site seem to be a hotspot for IELTS learning, and I have a lot from the tips you provide. I’ve a question regarding the alignment we must follow in the letter. In few places I have learnt that the letter can either have a left hand alignment format. It means the “Title”, the “Salutation”, the paragraph alignment, the “Signoff” and the “Name”. So, my question is, will it be right if while writing a letter, as , “Title” of the letter in middle and rest of the letter as left aligned. Please confirm the alignment pattern for both, formal as well as informal letter. Thanks. Divya.

This is an English language test, not a real letter. Just write your letter the same as my model letters. You do not worry about alignment in IELTS tests. Don’t over think this. It is a simple English language test.

Hello Miss Liz Thanks for your lessons, these are very beneficial I just have a question that how i can enter the contact details in the letter. As it says in question prompt: A friend has agreed to look after your house and pet while you are on holiday write a letter to your friend.In your letter -give contact details for when you are away -give instructions about how to care for your pet -describe other household duties

It means to explain where you will be and how you can be contacted. You need to think logically about this. It isn’t a trick question. If someone looks after your house and pets when you are on holiday, will you give them your phone number to call you about problems? Think logically about IELTS letters.

I was reading through your reply and I have a doubt. If a friend is staying over at my place taking care of my pet, then he would anyway have my number. So would the following sentence look good on the letter?

Thanks for agreeing to stay with Puffy and take care of him while I’m away. While I’m gone, if there are any issues and you need to contact me, just give me a call to my mobile. Just make sure to adjust the time difference as I’ll be 3 hours ahead of your time.

See you soon, Nico

Yes, it’s fine. Although be careful with your prepositions – give me a call on my mobile. Puffy is a strange name – what type of animal is it 🙂

I was using my dog’s name here. Puffy is my dog 🙂 and I’ve actually had friends take care of him while I was on a vacation. I was thinking of using this directly.

I’ve been going through each one of your videos and all the comments and replies you’ve given to them. They’re really helpful and I’m thankful to you.

I intend to write my GT in December and I’m going to cover all the topics from your blog only.

I wish you lots of luck and give Puffy a hug from me 🙂

Thanks a lot Liz. It’s 1:30am and he’s asleep. I’ll pass your hug on to him in the morning. 🙂

Now that you’re online, I just had another doubt that I’ve been avoiding asking since you’ve made it clear on many of your replies to comments, but since I found a few contradicting statements in comments section, I just want to be double sure

Yours faithfully Joe This sign off is for formal

Yours sincerely Joe This sign off is for semi formal

Love Joe This sign off is for informal

I’m only going to stick with these to avoid confusion. Is this okay or is there any change required in any of these?

Both “Yours faithfully” and “Your sincerely” can be used for formal letters. You need to know both because it depends on what the title of the letter is “who it’s addressed to”. If it is addressed “Dear Sir”, you must use “Your faithfully”, but if it’s addressed to someone’s name “Dear Mr Brown”, it must be “Your sincerely”. Both of them are formal. So don’t divide them in any other way. You would not write “Love” as a sign off for a friend – it would normally be “Take care” or “see you soon” – you need to adapt it to the letter aims. If you are aiming for the higher band scores, you need more flexibility in your approach and in your use of language. You need to think more about the person and the aims. Don’t give yourself such fixed black and white rules in terms of language and task achievement (including tone and style).

It is almost one month I am going to write to you and advise you why I haven’t returned the sunglasses I have borrowed from you.

To be honest, the sunglasses were damaged during my trip when I was coming back to my home and I am so sorry about that. I know that sunglasses were so important to you as it was presented to you by your wife.

When I was coming back to my home, I decided to ride a motorbike in order to reach my home sooner. On my way, unfortunately, I had an accident and collided with a car stopped in front of me suddenly. So the sunglasses were dropped over the ground and one of its glasses broke immediately.

At first, I was feeling guilty and didn’t know how to inform you about this and how I can solve the problem. I research so much and found that there is a store near our city who can repair that sunglasses. So I sent it away to be fixed soon and when I’ve taken it back, I will send it to you as soon as possible.

Again, I am so sorry and hope that you forgive me because of this problem.

Yours sincerely, Hamed

Liz,am so grateful.Just want to thank you and also let you know you are doing a great job.I got overall band of 7.5 after I visited your site.

Excellent – well done 🙂 Thanks for letting me know 🙂

Hi Liz, I and my wife are preparing for the IELTS and find your lessons effective and simple. I have a question and need your help – In Writing Task 1 :Formal letter After Salutation, “Can I write “Greetings of the day / season as I begin my letter? Best Regards Nirav

Liz thanks a lot for quality tips on battling IELTS. My question is about the order of bulleted points. Is it ok to reorder them in the essay? Some of my IELTS practice test examiners did mark points off for that. But I’ve heard people say that it shouldn’t affect the overall grade

You are being marked on your logical order of information. I suggest you review marking criteria – very important to understand.

I would like to know for ielts is it a good habbit to write a letter “subject” or not for the letter writing.

Best Regards, Ven

Do you mean a title? You do not need a title. If you mean a reference point – you don’t need to do that. Just write your letters as you see my model letters.

Hello Liz, Do we need to include a sending address while writing any of the letters?

No. See my model letters for the content and format.

One question in my mind is that if there no name is given in letter? then, we have to assume the names from our own? in Informal or semi-formal?

You should invent a name. You don’t need to use your own.

Thanks for this wonderful website. It helped me alot. I just wanted to ask that how to improve idea generation for task 2 GT because i am facing issues in getting the ideas for writing and its time consuming. Please suggest how to get it fast.

Thanks Prince Sindhi

If you want ideas for topics, you need to do the work. Look at the list of topics and then start researching ideas online. Here is a link of topics and questions: https://ieltsliz.com/100-ielts-essay-questions/

CAN WE Write dates in formal letter Task1 Gt. Like dat

Yours faithfully. 24th July 2018 Shubham

You do not need to date your letter for IELTS.

Hi Liz, There was a recent exam question asking to write a letter to a person who has returned your lost driving licence. Should we write a formal or semi-formal letter for this? Also is it appropriate to address the person as “Dear Sir/Madam”.

Thanks, Dil

1. do you know this person as a close friend? 2. do you know private intimate details of this persons life? 3. do you think this person put their name on the return of your driving license? 4. would you put your name at the bottom of a letter when you return a valuable item to someone? Try to use your common sense when approaching IELTS letters. You need to understanding and think about your relationship with the person. Now you tell me – is it informal? Do you know the person’s name?

Thank you for the quick reply Liz. Yes, now I understand the letter should be formal, since I don’t know the person well. I don’t know the person’s name, usually these are annonymously sent, so better to address using “Dear Sir or Madam”.

You can’t thank someone, unless you know their name. The letter is formal and will be addressed to Mr Brown. You know the name because Mr Brown gave you your driving license back. Usually when we return something, we say our name.

Thank you for the feedback Liz. Really appreciated.

I write again. I have purchased your advanced lessons, and I hope that i can gain more than a 6.5 this time around. My total scores were 8,8,7.5 and 6.5 again. I have a question that pertains to salutation for GT task 1 letter. I had learnt previously that to end, it is useful to write; Yours sincerely, Name. or Best Wishes, Name. or Your faithfully, Name.

respectively…

Now to my question, if you notice for “Best Wishes”, it is written in initial caps “B” and “W”. Please can you tell me if this is correct and why it is different from the others that are written in sentence cap? Now I am willing to unlearn whatever I had been used to previously.

Please respond to this, its urgent.

You should not be focusing on how to write one letter in your writing test. If you are failing to hit band 7, there are obviously serious reasons. 1) You must review the number of errors you make in vocabulary and grammar. Are you trying to impress the examiner – this is a mistake. Every poor choice will lower your score. 2) Review your techniques, your ability to address all issues, your understanding of common topics, your linking techniques etc – You can write Best Wishes in an informal letter if you wish. It’s an informal letter and we often write than way.

Hi Liz, Thank you so much for your helpful techniques. I improved my IELTS writing too through your materials on your website. You are the best instructor!

Hi liz, Thank you so much for your fabulous guidance of ielts in every four categories. my last ielts exam question was as follows. Q. You are working in foreign country and suddenly you are leaving your job and going back to your home country due to any emergency. Write an appology letter to your friends at office because you are leaving without meeting them. You should start your letter like this. Dear _______ My question is, in this scenerio i should address one friend name at the office and tell her to convey my message to everyone at the office Or i should address all the friends togther like this..Dear Friends

If it tells you to write to friends, then your letter is addressed to friends – Dear John and Jane,

I want to clear some doubts related with writing skill.

Please advise, can I start sentence from “As, Since, Hence..etc..”

Hi Liz, I saw a sentence you wrote in your explanation about writing.

“It is essential that you follow use the three points to structure your letter and provide the foundation for the information”.

In the sentence above, you use “follow” and “use” together. Could you explain what kind of structure is that?

Thank you kindly, Htet

Thanks for spotting the typo 🙂

Hii liz Thanks for your valuable study material

your content is really helpful. More power to you!

Hi Liz, Can we write a saying or idioms in formal letters?

Thanks Guru

Saying and idioms are mostly informal.

Dear Liz, You mentioned that we won’t get more than a 6 if spelling is frequently wrong. I do have a serious issue with spelling since a long time. even the tutors get shocked when they go through my writing because they say the grammar is excellent and I use a quite good range to vocabulary, but my spelling is extremely bad (the word is understood though). So what can I do to improve my spelling? I actually wonder if there is an option to inform the IELTS committee about special cases? I don’t know what to do really as I need to get band 7 in writing.

I said that you won’t get more than 6 in the criterion of vocabulary if your spelling contains frequent errors. This is not the same as getting no more than 6 in your whole writing task 1 or task 2. The criterion of vocabulary counts for only 25% of your total mark. But it’s still essential to improve your spelling. You can do this on spelling websites, from writing words lists, memorising spelling etc etc. Go online and google spelling practice online. If you are dyslexic, it will be possible to submit a medical certificate. But if the problem is just poor spelling – then you will need to work hard to improve it.

Thank you Liz for your feedback, really appreciated

Hi Liz, Thanks for your wonderful lesson.I just want to clarify my doubt such as if we have to write a letter to leave any courses in middle so does it falls under formal? So for formal we have to use dear sir/ madam, but actually we know our tutor name so can I use his/ her name at first? Please give me your valuable inputs.

Thanks in Advance, Amit jaiswal

You use “Sir/ Madam” or you use their name “Mr Jones” or “Mr John Jones” – all are possible for a formal letter. You only use “Sir” if you do not know the person’s name you are writing to.

Appreciated your time, Thanks .

How should I address the below Task 1 question – GT:

Q: A builder did some repairs in your house recently and you are unhappy with their work. Write a letter to your builder.

Is it should be Dear Sir, (Formal Letter) or Is it should be Dear Mr. John (Semi Formal)

Please assist.

If you have employed the builders, then you usually know his name. You use “sir” when you don’t know someone’s name.

I have 2 queries related to Writing exam: 1. Should we use pen or pencil? What do you suggest? 2.Is cutting allowed in paper if we are using pen? Would there be penalty?

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-help-faq/

Hi Liz, What type of letters are expected in GT? I mean, Formal or Semi-formal or Casual? Thanks in advance. Raveender

This is explained in the page above.

Dear liz, Is it a good idea to memorize vocabulary words related to the essay writing topics?As you always say.. Don’t memorize phrases.. so what is the best strategy to prepare for essays?Reading more & more articles? What do you suggest?

Learning words is fine. Avoid memorising phrases or sentences. It is vital to learn words for different topics – they give you ideas and also the ability to express yourself. You can learn vocab on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/vocabulary/ , in model essays and also by googling topics online.

Thank you so much! I used to learn phrases but now i won’t!

Dear Liz, Can you reply to my question as well as my test dates are very near and I need urgent help.

I am on holiday until May as I have informed everyone.

I need help in my secondary school letter writing. Does anyone have any tips.

Thanks for the wonderful website and useful tips. I want to get your writing Task 2 tips. advanced. As I saw, there are several videos on the page. Do all videos have separate costs or it is enough to buy one and then you have access to all?

Cheers, Babak

My free lessons are here: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/ and my advanced lessons are bought separately here: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . Pricing is given under each lesson.

Thanks a lot for your amazing videos and blog. I have just completed my ielts exam and in the writing task 1 I was supposed to write a letter to a friend about my college, in my letter I didn’t write any names, so I started my letter with “Dear………,” and I ended it with “Yours” without putting my name.

Would I be penalized for this and lose marks?

Thanks a lot

You need to write a name at the start and the finish. It will affect your score, but it’s only one small mistake.

Hi Liz Hope you are doing well. Thank you so much for this wonderful site. Do you provide writing task correction service? If yes, how much it would be?

I only provide advanced writing task 2 lessons: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Hello Liz, Great work you are doing here and God bless the day I ran into your website!

To my enquiry: Is it proper to write in short form in my GT letter?

E.g, ‘It’d will great if I don’t have to submit…..” Will “It’d” and “don’t” be acceptable instead of “it would” and “do not”

As mentioned on the page above, contractions are used in informal writing only.

Hi Liz! I found your lessons to be the best! You are so clear and organised to explain that it makes learning really easy and fun! THANK YOU! One simple question, are we asked to write in coursive or script? If we do so, how strict is this? My handwriting is very clear and tidy, but some letters might not look like script and I am curious if this can cause a problem for my score.

Many thanks again and keep helping us!

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/

Could you please explain the scoring pattern of IELTS writing (General) exam?

Awaiting for your response. Lalbin

Marking for writing task 2 is the same for both GT and Academic students. In task 1, the only difference is Task Achievement – the other three marking criteria are the same as the academic test in task 1. So, this means there is only minimal difference in marking. For writing task 1, see this page: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/IELTS_task_1_Writing_band_descriptors.pdf and for task 2, see this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2-band-scores-5-to-8/

Hi dear Liz, In a letter writing can I integrate two bullet points and explain them in a single paragraph, does it degrade my score? I’m not sure whether we must focus on one single point in each paragraph or not. Such as what we do in essay writing. I would be grateful if you give me your advice. Thanks

The bullet points are written to use as a structure. Don’t mix them up.

If I was asked to write a letter on behalf of my company. Should I need to add a little introduction about my company or atleast should I mentioned the name of the company? For example, I am writing this letter to book the conference center for a special training of our company or should I write the name of the company?

Thank you so much….!!!!! ☺☺

What do the instructions tell you to write?

Hello Mam How r u…hope u r doing well Mam…can you please update videos on GT letters. As u said that u’ll post at the end of year. So we are waiting for ur videos. Thanks in advance

I hoped to have videos ready. But I’m still very unwell.

I wish you to get well soon. Will pray for you teacher.

Please Liz, be alright for us, we cant afford to have you sick, wishing you a speed recovery. Claudia

Thanks so much. I’m doing everything I can to get better – it’s just a long, difficult illness 🙂

Trust you are well. Your expert advice is really useful for all. I merely wanted to know about letter writing in general training exam. If we forget to write “your fauthfully” or “regards” at the end of the letter, do we really lose marks? If yes how many?

Writing is not scored in that way. That mistake will affect your score for Task Achievement.

Many thanks for your prompt response..Does it have major impact on band scoring? Can you please elaborate Task achievement?

Task Achievement covers many aspects of writing: task fulfilment, style, tone, development of ideas etc. See this page: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/IELTS_task_1_Writing_band_descriptors.pdf

Good article. Small correction though,

“Explain which courses you’re interested in” 😉

Hi, Liz I like to print your valuable comments. But I can’t do this. Please help me.

Sorry my website is protected from copying.

hi madam.. i m little confused about official letters . in my school n college we wrote subject and name and designation so should i have to follow that or not … will you explain me . i seek to your blog for information regarding this. i didn’t find your video regarding letter writing of ilets. if it is available then plz share the link

,my doubt we should write our name at the end of letter ?? in official letter do we have to write Subject :– an application for a job

Please read the page above as it answers your questions. Also click on the links above as they will take you to model letters.

Is letter to the principal of school is formal or semi formal?As principal is known but it is authority also. Thank you

An informal letter is to someone you have a CLOSE PERSONAL relationship with. Think about the word “personal” – do you really sit down with a principle and talk about your private life in detail? Do you talk about problems with your wife or husband? Think more about a personal relationship.

Can phrasal verbs be used in formal and semi-formal writing?

Thanks, Htet

Some phrasal verbs can and some phrasal verbs can’t.

Hope you are doing well! what if I write an informal letter in a semi formal / formal style. Will the score be reduced?

The style of writing you use is marked.

If I don’t know the spelling of a good word, it is better to go ahead with wrong spelling or repeat a word and loose marks for paraphrasing.

It is better to avoid mistakes so always repeat a word rather than produce more errors.

Hello Liz, please does it mean that letter writing is just for general test,it cant be featured in academic test.Urgent reply Please.

Did you read all my information on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/

Hello Liz Resignation letter and application for leave letter are formal or semi formal?

For course it is formal. How can it be informal? It is to your boss, not to a close personal friend.

Hi Dear Liz, I got fuzzy about the following Question. Is this a Discussion, Advantage / Disadvantage, or Opinion essay? Could you please clarify? Question: In many countries, the amount of crime is increasing. What do you think are the main causes of crime? How can we deal with those causes?

Thank you so much.

Regards Mohammad Imran Khan

It is a cause/solution essay.

Is it essential to cover the three specified points in a sequential manner? Can I not Jumble them up? Although I do ensure that all points are covered I do not particularly maintain the sequence.Will it reduce my score?Also I recently read a tip stating that using cliches was not a good idea. I have been using them a lot lately and fail to understand how would it negatively influence my score? Please suggest.

Part of your score is on logical organisation of information – so mixing things up will lower your score. You need to understand more about what the examiners will mark you on. Each sentence you use in your writing test and speaking test must be uniquely yours as an example of your own English. So, using memorised phrases is not an example of your English and won’t count in an English language test such as IELTS.

Hi Liz, Is it grammatically correct if I use the following statement in a thank you note.

Thank you for being the wonderful host that you were during our stay at your place.

Thanks, Eveline

Thank you for your prompt response 🙂

I think secondary school letter writing is hard. I need. Some tip on how to do well.

Thanks for all of this precious information and lessons I want to know how will be the tone for a semi-formal letter, shall we pretend it as an informal letter? Also, the ending shall it be Yours Sincerely or All the best The name at the end shall it be with family name or no. Appreciate your kind reply please

There are no fixed rules. It depends who you are writing to. Most informal letters are to someone you have a strong personal relationship with but on a serious matter, such as work. So, you will blend friendly language with serious language.

Is it necessary to maintain the order of sub-questions while writing the letter?

Always be logical. Any illogical organisation will reduce your score.

Dear Liz! Thanks for your great support regarding IELTS test. I have recently taken IELTS Academic and now want to take General in next month. I have some questions about GT-task2. (1) Can we use the same academic language, grammar and vocabulary for GT-Task2, as we use for Academic-Task2? (2) Can we use Idioms, phrasal verb and proverbs? (3) Is GT-task2 is similar to Academic-task2? thanks

There is no difference in technique or how you write your essay for writing task 2. GT and Academic task 2 are the same. However, GT essay questions are sometimes easier.

Hi Liz I usually follow your videos. Thanks for helping so many people appearing for IELTS.

My exam is on 30th Sep. Last time I got band 6 in writing but I need minimum 7. Although I am working towards better structure and clear answer statement this time. Would request you to please help with some more crucial areas required to get band 7.

For writing task 2, you will need to purchase one or all of my advanced lessons: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/ . They are not cheap but they are excellent.

Hi Liz, Could you please go through the letter i just wrote, and let me know if it’s good or not.

You have purchased a ticket of music concert, but you can attend the event. Write a letter to your friend to offer him the ticket. In your letter: * Explain the details of the event * Why you cannot attend the concert * Suggest how you friend can get the ticket from you.

Hi Debra, It’s been so long since we were last in touch. I hope you’ve settled the exams already. I thought i’d invite you to the upcoming Fenty beauty concert in the UK, on 22nd of December.

Fenty Beauty concert will be held at the Manchester stadium at 10pm precisely, although, African time can be considered. It will include performances from various artists such as Lilwayne, Kendrick Lamar, Alicia keys (your favorite, I know) and a host of other artists.

Although, I’m disappointed I won’t be able to make it, as you know Rihanna is my favorite artist of all time. This is because i have got my IELTS on Saturday, the 23rd of December, at Birmingham. I immediately thought about you and how delighted you will be on getting such an invite.

I have thought of several ways you can receive the ticket. I can send it directly via mail to be delivered, or I give Penny Morgan, since she will be attending as well. Either way you will get it, so prepare to have a blast. Be prepared to gist me all, from A-Z.

Write back soon, Amin

Which one do you recommend amongst these? -Attempting Tast 2 before Task 1; or -Attempting Task 1 before Task 2.

Sincerely, Satish

It is your choice completely. However, most people who start with task 2 get lost in their essay and then run out of time for task 1.

In a semi formal letter, I started with dear sir/madam, do I lose marks?

IELTS will tell you have to start the letter in the instructions.

Hy Liz, Now I am confused can we get a letter for wt1 ? I haven’t heard of this till now .

If you are taking the General Training IELTS test, you will get a letter in task 1. If you are taking the academic test, you won’t get a letter.

Can we write the address, when it is not mentioned in the question as not to write addresses?

If the address is not asked for, don’t give it.

Is there any space for rough work or planning points for writing so that I can make bullet points in rough and than elaborate in final writing task. Please advise

You can plan your writing on the question paper.

Is there any possibility How to improve my spoken skill? Why did you not to improve my spoken?

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-free-lessons-essential-tips/

Can we complete the essay itself on question paper and then just copy-paste it on the answer sheet? thanks

Your writing test is done by hand, not on a computer.

Hi Liz Should we write date in the end of the forml letters??

There are no dates given in an IELTS letter.

Hi Liz, I have question regarding a letter given under “Sample Letters for Writing Task 1”.

Does this letter “Asking for a Letter of Reference” is formal or semi-formal? I believe this letter is formal because it is related to serious issue and we don’t know the teacher personally.

It is formal – it is about work.

Should we write Yours faithfuly OR Your faithfully in ending remarks.

The article above shows how to write it – please read it again.

which one of the following is correct in context of writing titles? 1. Mr. 2. Mr

It is your choice – both are right. However, nowadays we don’t usually use dots after titles.

Okay. Thanx a lot liz for your prompt reply.

I have been following your website, I am really thankful to you, I want to ask 1 thing, You said letter should be started from Dear Sir, then where should we write address and date?similarly should we use fake names or our real name?

You don’t need to use date or address for an IELTS letter. You can use your name or a fake name to sign off.

I’m a frequent reader of your blog. Using only your blog for about two weeks, I scored 7.5 in academic. Now I’m preparing for general and have high hopes. I would kindly ask you to please make some videos on letter writing. Although the text material on this page is very explanatory itself, it would be nice to have some videos too. Your blog is always my first recommendation to anyone preparing for IELTS. Surprisingly, teachers in British Council in Riyadh, KSA also recommend their students to follow your blog.

You are doing marvelous job in helping hundreds of students. Keep it up.

Thanks for your message. The reason I haven’t made any new videos for over one year is actually due to health problems. I hope to get back to making them next year – fingers crossed!! I certainly have some GT letter writing videos on my list 🙂

I wish you the best of health dear.

The letter to write the owner of your flat or house about some problems you are facing is FORMAL or INFORMAL?

Do we need to write Dear Sir or Dear Mr. Smith?

Please make it clear.

This is a formal letter to your landlord. Usually you know his name.

Thank you for quick reply. So it means I can start writing by Dear Mr. John ( I. E his first name?

In English, it is 100% wrong to use a title with a first name. All titles are used with family names.

Got it. 👍. Thank you mam.

but in staring you said that formal letter is to someone you don’t know

To someone to you don’t have a personal relationship with. It might be your boss or your landlord – you don’t know these people closely.

Hi Liz, Thanks for your valuable inputs. I have a small query, can I start my letter by writing “Greetings” irrespective of kind of letter

No, you shouldn’t start an IELTS letter that way.

Thanks for the prompt response . My exam is on 8th July. Please give me some tips for writing GT and speaking

All writing task 2 tips on my website are for both GT and Academic tests. See this page for speaking: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-free-lessons-essential-tips/

thanks a tonne!! You are a great help.

Wonderful tips Liz.. I was much confused about the writing part. These tips are really helpful.

I do have a question, Is it alright to use x or abc/xyz instead of names in the letter?

Write a name.

Thank you Liz

Thanks for your tips and they are very helpful, but I need a clarification on this.

In writing my letter, do I need to write my address and the title of the letter before going into the body of the letter?

No. You do not write an address at the start of the letter.

If i not use contractions in mix or informal letters, there would be any impact on my score.

I mean, it is mandatory to use contractions or not?

Contractions are a normal part of informal writing – you should use them in an informal letter.

you are incredible your tips is very useful thank you..

So this is about the closing of letters. You have suggested to use titles with the names in the closing of letters, but when I was practicing with the sample books which I have received from IELTS (after my registration for IELTS), I am seeing that they didn’t used titles for closing names and on many of the sites not titles are being used.

Can you please help why are you suggesting to use titles in the closing part of the letters.

It depends on the type of letter. Formal letters usually use a title. Informal letters do not. There is no one rule. It is about learning the aim and style of the letter.

Do you have any video class for IELTS General Training Writing Task 1?

Not yet. I hope to get back to work this year and will think about more GT lessons. In fact, there’s a GT post going up today on this blog about writing opening lines 🙂

Hi Liz , thank you very much for your tips on writing. Could you please help with templates which can be used for writing task 1 and 2.More like a general template which can be reused with minimal changes.

You can’t cheat the IELTS exam by learning templates. You need to adapt your essay structure to the question and to the ideas you have. Visit the main writing task 2 page to learn more. Or consider one of my advanced lessons: https://elizabethferguson.podia.com/

Informal letter, ex. Get back to me as sonpon as possible, is it possible to use ASAP? Or need to avoid it?

Thank you so much

We use this for writing letters. But IELTS is a language test so don’t use it. If you want someone to respond quickly then write a sentence to showcase your English language.

Will it greatly affect the band score if you write an informal letter instead of a semi or formal letter?

It will affect your score for Task Achievement which is 25% of your task 1 marks.

hi Liz, Thanks for your continues support.

During my last exam, in the writing part 1, accidentally i wrote my full name at the end of the informal letter. Will I be penalize for this?

It’s fine to do that. You can put any name at the bottom.

Hi Liz, I am preparing for my GT writing task 1. I was wondering whether I have to concentrate only on letter writing or I have to practice graph interpretation as well?

See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-gt-academic-writing-differences/

Hi Liz, In Task 1 letter, the instructions said that I don’t have to write addresses, but I noticed this instruction after I actually did write addresses in my letter and it was too late to remove. Will I lose marks for this?

You will be marked down a little for failing to complete part of the task but you can still do well in other areas.

Hi liz , first we want to thank you for your effort and your wonderful method to spirit your ideas .secondly,we wander if you can explain all letter types in video like you usually do?thank you in advanced

I hope at the end of this year to make more videos. GT lessons are on my list 🙂

Hey, Liz! May you post the answers of these letters too. https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-sample-leters-for-writing-task-1/

You can find all my model letters on the main writing task 1 page.

I came across a question in WT1 and I am unable to decide if it is semi-formal or informal. Please help.

You are going to another country to study. You would like to do a part-time job while you are studying, so you want to ask a friend who lives there for some help.

Write a letter to this friend. In your letter

1. Give details of your study plans 2. Explain why you want to get a part-time job. 3. Suggest how your friend could help you find a job.

In my opinion, it should semi-formal.

This is a semi formal letter, this is because you are writing a friend. The school part and getting a job is the formal part of the letter

I reckon it an informal letter, you’re not writing to the company or the school directly.It states…to this friend.

I suggest it is a semi formal letter because although you are writing to a friend, it about a serious issue you are looking to resolve . . .Thanks

I’d say it’s an informal letter because you are asking help from your friend even if the subject is formal.

You and your blog are fabulous. Me and my wife are preparing taking help from your videos. I want to ask one question, in GT Writing Task 1 if my writing is bigger and I didnt conclude my letter on 2nd page then can we use the third page where Task 2 is done??? or we have to ask for another sheet after 2nd page? If, we can continue on 3rd page then we have to start the Task 2 from 4th Page?

This is a good question. I would recommend that you ask your IELTS test center a few days before your test and then confirm with them again on the day of your test. They will provide extra paper but I don’t know if that applies to just task 2 or both.

do we get letter writing in an academic version of the IELTS test ?

No. Only for GT writing. See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-gt-academic-writing-differences/ and then check this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-faq/ . After that, see the main writing task 1 page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/

Dear Liz, I have taken IELTS 3 times now. Each time my aggregate has been 8.5 but my writing score has been 7, 7.5 and 7.5. I am not able to identify where am I losing marks and how to correct it. I really need 8.0 in writing. How should I go about preparing for my next attempt?

For writing task 1, review this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-band-scores/ and then check all tips on the main task 1 page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/ . For writing task 2, I suggest you purchase at least one of my advanced lessons – you will soon know which mistakes you are making in your essay which is lowering your score: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore . However, there is something else to mention. It is possible that your level of English is around band 7.5 which means you might not hit all the requirements for band 8 English. In this case, you would need to ensure you make your English more accurate and avoid errors at all costs. This also includes using words which don’t quite suit the context – any inappropriate word choice will lower your score – so don’t take chances.

If we have to suggest/advice someone in a letter, which of the following is the best statement to use? 1. I hope you found my letter valuable… 2. I hope you’ve found my letter valuable… 3. I hope you find my letter valuable…

Dear Madam, I have been joining IELTS class for 1 month. But I have faced lots of problem in letter & essay writing. In my understanding I studied in my local language(Gujarati) that’s why I am facing problem in writing. Kindly give advice to me. Thanks,

how important is letter for ielts exam

It is about 33% of your marks for the General Training writing test. Students taking Academic IELTS do not write letters.

In one of the sample informal letters that i went through i found that it was started with Hi name and ended with a name only. Is it ok if we write yours lovingly and then name?

We only write “Your lovingly” to someone you love deeply. It is not suitable to friends. For IELTS letters, just end with “Take care” or “Write back soon”. This is a language test so try to avoid mistakes.

I’m taking the ielts again this week and while reading your instructions about the task 1 of the writing section, I have a few questions: If i am writing an informal letter, to a friend, am i supposed to use an informal language? Will my band score go lower if I am using a more academic / formal language in writing an informal letter? Let’s say: If i write: ‘I would like to invite you for dinner at my new house’, instead of ‘why don’t you come over for dinner next friday?’

Thanks for clearing this for me

If you use formal language in an informal letter, you will lose marks. Writing “I would like to invite you …” is formal. Avoid this in an informal letter in IELTS. Your task is to show the examiner that you know the difference between formal and informal styles.

sorry again but i have another question? Do i have to use contractions in an informal letter? and will my score go lower if i DON’T use contractions for an informal letter? Thanks for your help Liz.

Yes, you should use contractions in an informal letters because that is the right style to use. Avoiding them will not help.

Hi liz, you said before that is the question says, Start with Dear …….. , this means that i should invest a name however in other sites I see them saying Dear Sir/ Madam I am very confused .

This page shows that you start Dear Sir/ Madam when you don’t know who you are writing to and you start Dear …. (a name) when you know the person. The difference is between formal and informal letters.

In order to write a letter to your boss regarding anything. Shall we consider this as a semiformal letter (since we know him/her well)? or consider as a formal letter? Becuase in both cases salutation and signing off will be different.Please reply asap.

If it is work related, then it is usually formal.

Hi Liz , Greetings to you from the little nation of Vanuatu , in the south Pacific.

Last week I have Just made up my mind to sit this very important IELTS exam , and targeting the General Training exam.

This is fourth day revision, and I have chosen to use your videos and other resources for my exam preparation. Excellent tips & advice you have provided for us students and they really give me courage & confidence to sit the IELTS Examination this Thursday 3rd November 2016.

May our Lord will reward you great blessings. Thank you very Much. Nono

Good luck!! The GT exam is easier than the academic exam but your listening and speaking will still be the same 🙂

Hi Liz, Could you please tell me writing a letter to the owner of an apartment for requesting the same apartment for rent in this vacation and ask from him/her to do some repairs that have been noticed in last year would be semi-formal or formal letter?

This is definitely a formal letter.

Hi Liz, why can’t we write it as semi formal as we know the owner already.

Just because you have rented an apartment from him, doesn’t mean you know him personally. Renting is done under a formal contract. If you have met the landlord many times and know him well, it can be semi-formal but the instructions do not indicate that.

Hi Liz, Thank you so much for your wonderful website which is really helpful not only for me but also, I believe, for all the IELTS test takers.

I would be grateful if you could explain the difference between Madam and Madame, and which one is the best for formal letter.

Another thing I would like to know that is the below sentence correct which you mentioned in tips no.7? It’d be great if you came in August.

I think there is a typing mistake and correct sentence should be- It’d be great if you come in August.

Thanks// Nazrul

Thank you for your terrific tips! I’m taking the GT in few weeks and I have a question about the greeting for a familiar letter. For the IELTS standards, would be considered wrong to write “Hi John…” for a friend instead of “Dear John…”? or “Hello + name” for a semi-formal situation, as to write to your building manager? I rarely use “Dear” unless is a very formal situation, for instance, a complaint letter to the local council. I was told Dear it’s a bit old-fashioned these days.

We use “Dear” for formal letters and “Hi” for informal letters.

Hello Liz I need to ask you one thing that, should we use title with own name.. when signing off a letter.

Dear Sir ——————– Yours faithfully Mr. Vishav

I have listen somewhere in my working life that we can’t give title with own name when writing to someone else.

what do you say ?

If you want to use a title, also add your first name, for example Mr Singh Vishav. And only do this with formal letters.

Hi liz Today was my general module paper in jalandhar ,india Writing task one was You have purchased a ticket of music concert but you cant attend the event.write a letter to your friend to offer him the ticket. 1.explain the details of event 2.why you can not attend the music concert 3.suggest your friend that how he can get the ticket from you. Writing task 2 In some part of globe,amount of garbage is increasing a problem.what are the causes of it,what is the solution of it.give relevant example for this problem. Reading topic Section one Advertisement on club membership Section two Topic on cover letter Fill up Section three Australian mines Only four true false/notgiven questiones.mostly Listening test Today’s listening was fast. 7 question were reated map. Multiple choise question. Last section was easy

Nice blog. Thanks Liz, you rock!!!

Hi Liz. Thanks a lot for the tips. They’ve been most informative for me. Very useful indeed.

THANKS VERY MUCH LIZ .

In part 4. Letters Openings, section B, I think that there is a typo. (ieltsliz.com/ielts-letter-writing-essential-tips)

You have written “It’s mt birthday” but I think that you actually wanted to write “It’s my birthday”. (Otherwise, correct me if I am wrong 🙂 )

By the way, great website!

Very well spotted indeed!! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂

Thanks for your blog. It was helped me a lot. But I still have one question. It will be glad if you can answer. For the begining, I didnt know much about the IELTS test so I came into a class and the teacher taught me about IELTS for academic test. But after I took advice from my friend, he said I should test in Gerenal Training. So, where do I begin? Should I find another class or practice by myself?

Once again. Thanks for your blog.

Firstly, you need to decide which test you actually need to take: https://www.ielts.org/about-the-test/two-types-of-ielts-test . Once you have decided, you need to learn the differences. The GT test is only different with regards to reading and writing task 1. See this page to learn how the reading is different: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-general-training-reading-information/ . You’ll find the only difference is in the topics for the reading passages and the difficulty of the passages. This means you can learn along side AC students. For writing, see this page for the differences: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-gt-academic-writing-differences/ . This means you can still learn with AC students for writing task 2. If you need advanced lessons for task 2, see my store: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore . I hope this helps. You must decide if you want separate training for Gt writing task 1 or if you can self study.

Thanks for yr blog it is helping us alot. I want to know is letter to a neighbor is semi-formal? If yes, it means we can use contractiions. Right? Thanks

A letter to a neighbour can be informal or semi formal depending on how well you know your neighbour and the topic. Yes, you can use contractions.

Thank you very much for your wonderful blog. i have one question. In personal or semi-formal letter can i use formal vocabulary, like for example… I am writing instead of I’m writing

In personal letters, you can use contractions. In semi formal letters it depends how well you know the person and what the letter is about – ie work or leisure.

Hi Liz, I already have a patterned mind set on the steps for letter writing paragraphing: Introduction (making an emphatic statement on my intention), ‘Firstly’ (for second paragraph), ‘Also’ (in my third paragraph), ‘Finally’ (in the fourth paragraph) and ‘In conclusion’ (in the fifth and last paragraph- summarizing the letter with an overall opinionated statement). Hope I’m on course with this?

There is not conclusion for letters. See my model letters on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/

This is just a quick question regarding indentation. Is indenting no longer required in writing letters and essays? Thank you.

Best regards, Tyr

It is no longer required. It’s best to leave one empty line between paragraphs as it is clearer for the examiner.

Thank you very much for the prompt reply. Have a great day ahead.

I went through the guidance on Writing Task 1. I have attended IELTS examination twice last year and scored 8 for L/S/R but for writing my score is 7. I want to improve my writing skills especially on essay writing. It would be helpful if you can provide me the required guidance on the ways to improve my self on formation of Essays.

Thanks, Rins

The only thing I can suggest is for you to buy one of my advanced lessons for writing task 2. If you find it useful, get the other lessons too: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore

What if I end my letter without writing yours sincerely and a name. How would it impact on the overall band score.

It will affect the score for Task Achievement.

It eventually did impact. I scored 6 in writing.

Also can you please advise if we can write date at the end of letter. Further, is it necessary to put commas after the title and sign off?

You don’t need dates with your letter and you don’t need commas after the title of signing off.

Thanks again. Is there a penalty to write location in the body section of a letter. Or is it just the signoff where one must not mention any address?

There isn’t a penalty but it isn’t necessary to add that information.

It will definitely have an impact- as you state- on your writing. A great tennis player serves his last serve of the match with the same velocity as his first one. So, your last sentence or words should be as appropriate as your fist ones. .

hello! what about tense forms in GT letter writing? I mean using Past Simple Tense instead of Present Perfect Tense. Is it correct or not?

How can you bring mathematical formulas in writing a language. Different situations require different responses and the formation of the tenses will depend on that. Just try and keep things simple and to the point and get your views acrross.

First of all, i would like to thank you for videos and articles which are very informative. I have attempted IELTS twice.I scored around 8 band in L/S/R but unfortunately i couldn’t score 7 in writing.In first attempt i thought it could be spelling mistakes or poor hand writing as i am more into typing rather writing.In second attempt i religiously followed your tips proper paragraph structure and salutations,i also took extra care of legibility of writing and spelling mistake but i again scored 6.5. Could you please suggest what approach shall i choose to score 7.5 in writing.I believe there is certainly something wrong (very basic) which i am missing to correct again and again.

I was wondering if you could please assess my writing or provide me online coaching. I believe if i prepare for 8 band i will surely make it to Band 7 at least.

See my advanced writing task 2 lessons which explain in great depth the techniques needed for a high score: http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore . All the best Liz

Dear Ms Liz, I am a beneficiar from your IELTS material. However, I have a request and admiration to share. Please share IELTS Letter (GT) model answers. The link provided does not lead to any source, rather leads to an error page. I wonder if you have a pen name by Monica sorrenson whose teaching methodolgy is quite similiar to yours. Nevertheless, please accept my expression of gratitude for sharing such useful information. Yours sincerely, Mr Kadian

I’ve just up-dated the links. Try again and see if they work. No, that isn’t my pen name 🙂

Hello Mam, Please also post model answers for each kind of lettter as you have posted for academic writings. That are explained thoroughly and I need help in general writing task 1

Content, your problem is that you are, perhaps, moving away from the core of the topic and meandering here and there.Remember, upto Band 6 or 6.5, the grammatical accuracies are more important but as you move upward, the content of your writing as conjoined with the topic given, becomes extremely important. Paragraphing and understanding the basic principles underlying the effects of the ideas generated through paragraphs and their appropriateness becomes the important issue, at this juncture of Band 7 and beyond.

Hi Liz, Good day! Can I have a copy of IELTS letter writing?

Thanks, honey

https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/

Hi Liz, Good day! Can i have a copy of IELTS letter writing?

Dear , I am unable to find any of yours video lecture related to letter writing on YouTube . I will be very thank full if you can share the relevant link .

Hi Liz, Are contractions mandatory in semiformal letter just like informal case ?

Regards, Subi

Hi liz I want ask about if there is difference between sincerely and faithfully? Thank you

What is the character for each of them (formal, informal and semi-formal)?

See my lesson above, it is clearly shown with examples. Liz

Hi liz How can I know the differenc between formal, informal, semi-formal and personal?

There are only three kinds as stated above. you will know when you read the instructions if it is to someone you know well, you know a little or someone you don’t know. Liz

I will be taking my IELTS exam this saturday in Malaysia. I am terrified…

Anyway, I would like to ask you for some advice. As for IELTS, we do not need to include the person’s address and our own address in a formal letter? Or it depends fully on the question? Please advise.

You never write an address at the top of your letter. If the instructions ask you to give your address, then you put it in a sentence in a body paragraph. For example, “ I am writing to complain about the noise on my street. I currently live at 54 South Street. ” You can see it is not a full address, just the details that are relevant to the letter. Liz

Thank you so much Liz for the explanation. =)

Why don’t we write ‘I am living at 54 South Street’ instead of “I currently live at 54 South Street”

We don’t usually use the continuous tense when giving address details.

Hi Liz, I am thankful to you that you provide such a great platform where we can practice and enhance our skills for IELTS. I am preparing for General Ielts and i want to know about different types of Letters that you have shared , But i didn’t find mode answers of all , I want to ask where can i get model answers of that or can you suggest some students with whom we can share our letter writing that you shared for practice as you dont have time to check and mark our letters, Thanks and keep working for us.

Hi Liz, It was asked to write a letter to a school teacher apologizing not to returning a book borrowed from her and explaining the reason. Is this a formal or informal letter? Thanks in advance Sandun

This is a semi-formal letter. You need to put the name of the teacher instead of using “sir”. This means the content is formal but as you know your teacher quite well it is more relaxed in style. Liz

wish you are doing very well,

Actually this is my first participation ,and I have one question please.

when I am sending a letter formal or personal , Can i use one of these phrases ,for example :

1- trust your are doing very well 2- I wish my letter find you very well

and then complete the rest of letter

Both have incorrect grammar. Also you need to adapt your letter depending on the instructions and aims. All the best Liz

Good day to you. I need your expert advise and a clarification on GT writing task 1 – Letters; I came across a question, where they have requested to write a letter to friend and invite him to a party and to provide the Date and the Venue; However the instructions part of the question states no need to mention addresses; in this scenario, do i have to provide the address of the party in my body of the letter or should I not mention it. I am aware, that not following the instructions will result in less marks allotted to me and would be grateful if you could clarify this and provide a suitable solution for this scenario. Awaiting your earliest response. Thanks R. Radhakrishnan.

The instructions tell you that you don’t need to write a full address which is normally written in the top corner of any letter before the start of the letter. The date and venue which you need to write in your letter is not a full address (there is no need for the postcode or even city). You can just write the name of the place and the street with a number. And that information is written inside the body of the letter. All the best

Thank you so much Liz ..

You’re welcome 🙂

Hi Liz, Do I always have to start the letter with” Dear….” ? I mean, if it is a formal letter and I don’t know the name of the person, can I start with something like”To the mamagement of….” Or it is better to keep it simple and start with ” Dear …” in all types of letters?

That is answered above. See the signing off section. Liz

Hi Liz, I appeared for general training IELTS test on 29th Sepetember,2015. I have a doubt regarding letter writing. One of the instructions say: You do NOT need write any address. But in the introduction i mentioned the address as follows:

Dear Mathew Hogward

I am Scarlette Jonathan, recently shifted to your South East road aparrment number SJ001C.

Does this affect my band score in task 1? Does this make my task 1 neglected?

I covered all the points in my letter and i am sure there were no spelling, punctuation and grammar miskates. ButI got only 6 bands in writing module. My essay was also well structured. I would be grateful if you could post a reply to my query!

Your lessons are a great help! Thank you Liz!

If the task requires you to write about your accommodation, it is fine to put the street and number inside the letter – in fact it is necessary. What the instructions mean is that you don’t need to write your address in the top left corner of the paper before starting the letter. All the best Liz

Thank you liz! Could you please tell me thay if word limit exceeds 170 words in writing task 1 and if it exceeds 300 in writing task 2; does this count for band deduction? Thank you in advance! All your tips are extremely valuable for the one whi desires to achieve a good band score. I love the content you post for candidates’ help!

Please see this page: https://ieltsliz.com/how-many-words-ielts-writing/ Liz

Writing task 1 of GT Pakistan 29th August, 2015: You recently moved to an apartment where you are facing a some of problems, write a letter to owner to inform him and suggest solution.

Explain the apartment is very good describe your problem suggest a solution

Dear…….,

WHAT TYPE OF LETTER IT IS, AS YOU MENTIONED COMPLAINTS ARE USUALLY FORMAL. I WROTE IT IN SEMI-FORMAL WAY HAVING NO CONTRACTIONS AND FORMAL VOCAB.

I ALSO INVESTED OWNER’S NAME AND MY NAME. IS IT RIGHT?

Thanking in anticipation for your reply.

This is a formal letter. The landlord is not your friend and the situation is serious. Any complaint letter is formal. Well done avoiding contractions. You put your name at the end of the letter and the landlord’s name after “Dear..” at the start of the letter. All the best Liz

Wonderful tips…as i m a ielts trainer ur tips r very handy. I have been going thrugh ur blog gor the first time. I just went through ur tips for letter writing. They seem to be very benificial. I would be delighted to have a few more tips and sample answers on my mail.

Yours sincerely, Rani

I’m glad the lesson was useful, Rani. I’ll post more model letters at some point but I can’t say exactly when. All the best Liz

Dear Liz, I am looking forward to appearing the ielts test for the first time. I´m sort of an aspirant who has no excess to preparation classes but has an ex excess to the internet. Is it enough? Or should I get enrolled to such classes mandatorily? Is it compulsory to go through the books prescribed or the online courses are enough? Expecting a genuine suggestion, DHRUBA

I will be very direct. If there is a chance of professional IELTS training then of course it is worth it. But not many schools are good – you need to select carefully. However, training in IELTS is not enough. You must have the right level of English to match your score. For example, in the message above, you have used incorrect vocabulary “excess” (you mean access), “get enrolled” (should be just enroll), prescribed (recommended) – and there are more mistakes still. This means you will struggle to get over band 6 due to your frequent errors. So, work on your level of English until you can produce accurate language suitable for the band score you want. When your English is stronger, learn IELTS skills in any way possible. Liz

Hi there, In this capitalistic world where everyone has a price and nothing is free,your website is nothing less then a blessing!! Am planing to take IELTS G.T actually thinking for the past 1 year but never appeared (phobia i gueess).I think my English is not up to the mark.I need 7 band in all areas for my Immigration.My grammar and writing the worst.As far as speaking is concerned I stammer and it just shatters my confidence.Its terrible when you want say but you cant say it and i stuck at crucial time. I need some suggestions what you think how much time I need to get 7 band?? especially in writing and speaking.I can write on some issues like taboo issues,music,sprituality but strangely i cant write a letter or essay.

Sorry for being so long but as i read you blog i came to know you are a humble person so i hope you wouldnot mind..

As hope is a good thing I hope you will reply to my boring and long letter/essay whatever you call it.Thanks I

You seem to have a good level of English with the odd error which means you have the potential for around 7. If your stammer is part of your natural way of speaking, then it shouldn’t affect your score. But if it is due to nerves, then you will need to find a way to tackle it. One way is to develop so many ideas and answers for questions, that you will feel confident when the examiner asks a question. Of course, you can’t predict all questions but you can predict a range of common topics and you can practice all the common questions – have a technique of expanding each type of question. For part 2, you will need to have a particularly strong technique.

For writing, the key will be not only ideas, but also structure, linking devices and knowing what the instructions require of you and how to present your answer. Take a look at my model essays. Look through all my free posts and videos in each of the main sections for tips, common questions, model answers etc.

How long will it take? You will have a better idea how long you need to prepare once you see the topics you must prepare for and the types of questions. All the best Liz

Thanks Liz. Very helpful and useful tips. Please, give the explanation on difference between “Sincerely” and “Faithfully”. In what style can we use them and how?

I’ve just added the explanation to the essential tips – take a look. All the best Liz

Hi Liz. Your all sessions are excellent and very helpful to al IELTS students.

Cheers Manjush

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Essay Writing

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

This resource begins with a general description of essay writing and moves to a discussion of common essay genres students may encounter across the curriculum. The four genres of essays (description, narration, exposition, and argumentation) are common paper assignments you may encounter in your writing classes. Although these genres, also known as the modes of discourse, have been criticized by some composition scholars, the Purdue OWL recognizes the wide spread use of these genres and students’ need to understand and produce these types of essays. We hope these resources will help.

The essay is a commonly assigned form of writing that every student will encounter while in academia. Therefore, it is wise for the student to become capable and comfortable with this type of writing early on in her training.

Essays can be a rewarding and challenging type of writing and are often assigned either to be done in class, which requires previous planning and practice (and a bit of creativity) on the part of the student, or as homework, which likewise demands a certain amount of preparation. Many poorly crafted essays have been produced on account of a lack of preparation and confidence. However, students can avoid the discomfort often associated with essay writing by understanding some common genres.

Before delving into its various genres, let’s begin with a basic definition of the essay.

What is an essay?

Though the word essay has come to be understood as a type of writing in Modern English, its origins provide us with some useful insights. The word comes into the English language through the French influence on Middle English; tracing it back further, we find that the French form of the word comes from the Latin verb exigere , which means "to examine, test, or (literally) to drive out." Through the excavation of this ancient word, we are able to unearth the essence of the academic essay: to encourage students to test or examine their ideas concerning a particular topic.

Essays are shorter pieces of writing that often require the student to hone a number of skills such as close reading, analysis, comparison and contrast, persuasion, conciseness, clarity, and exposition. As is evidenced by this list of attributes, there is much to be gained by the student who strives to succeed at essay writing.

The purpose of an essay is to encourage students to develop ideas and concepts in their writing with the direction of little more than their own thoughts (it may be helpful to view the essay as the converse of a research paper). Therefore, essays are (by nature) concise and require clarity in purpose and direction. This means that there is no room for the student’s thoughts to wander or stray from his or her purpose; the writing must be deliberate and interesting.

This handout should help students become familiar and comfortable with the process of essay composition through the introduction of some common essay genres.

This handout includes a brief introduction to the following genres of essay writing:

• Expository essays
• Descriptive essays
• Narrative essays
• Argumentative (Persuasive) essays

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IELTS Writing Samples: Essay, Letter, Report

If you have no idea what an IELTS essay looks like or need to improve your writing skills – you’re in the right place. I add new essays almost every day – subscribe and get them seconds after they’ve been published.

Here you will find IELTS Writing samples (essays, letters, reports), written by students and graded by an IELTS teacher. Every task is checked, marked, has comments and suggestions. Hold the mouse over to see suggested corrections. The teacher’s summary is at the bottom of each essay.

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IELTS Essay – Band 9

• IELTS Essay Samples of Band 9
• IELTS essay, topic: Traffic on roads has become a problem in nearly every country in the world (solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: In some cities the numbers of tourists seem overwhelming, why is this happening?
• IELTS essay, topic: There is a moral necessity for the richer countries to help the poorer countries (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people like to own their home while others prefer to rent it (discuss)
• IELTS essay, topic: People today find their lives more and more dominated by their jobs (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Women, not men, should stay at home to care for children (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: The advantages and disadvantages of high-rise apartment living
• IELTS essay, topic: Is fashion a significant part of society, or a waste of time and money (opinion)?
• IELTS essay, topic: Is studying at university better than getting a job straight after school (opinion)?
• IELTS essay, topic: Ending the world’s reliance on fossil fuels will be a positive development (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Artificial Intelligence will take over the role of teachers (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Having a salaried job is better than being self-employed (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Is learning a foreign language essential or a waste of time (opinion)?
• IELTS essay, topic: Libraries are not a necessity anymore because of the digital resources available today (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Individuals should be responsible for funding their own retirement (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Is banning cars from city centres a positive or negative development?
• IELTS essay, topic: Schoolchildren today take part in short work experience sessions instead of school (positive/negative)
• IELTS essay, topic: The number of advertisements for charities is increasing, what is causing this?
• IELTS essay, topic: Should school children be given homework (opinion)?
• IELTS essay, topic: The majority of former prisoners commit further crime after their release (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: Only people over 18 years old should be allowed to use social media (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: With the scale of globalisation today, it would be best to have a single world currency (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Should boys and girls be educated separately (opinion)?
• IELTS essay, topic: Everybody should pay a small amount from their income to help people in poverty (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Households should have a government-imposed limit on the amount of rubbish they produce (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Is it acceptable that enormous sums are paid for pieces of art when many people around the world live in poverty?
• IELTS essay, topic: Athletes and entertainers’ enormous salaries reflect our dependence on entertainment (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Is using physical force to discipline children acceptable (opinion)?
• IELTS essay, topic: Should governments impose extra taxes to restrict tourism in order to reduce pollution?
• IELTS essay, topic: Unemployment payments encourage people not to seek work (opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: Do schools still need to teach handwriting and mental mathematics skills?
• IELTS essay, topic: What is the best motivation for workers – salary, job satisfaction or helping others?
• IELTS Essay, topic: In some countries private cars are now banned from city centres (advantages / disadvantages)
• IELTS Essay, topic: Some people believe that the problem of illegal drugs can be solved by legalising all drugs (agree/disagree)
• IELTS Essay, topic: Should governments or teachers be responsible for what is to be taught in schools (opinion)?
• IELTS essay, topic: Can the society cope with the larger number of elderly people and how?
• IELTS essay, topic: Should copyright materials such as music, films and books be freely available on the Internet (opinion)?
• IELTS essay, topic: Some parents think that children must do house chores (opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: Since obesity may be caused by fast food, should the government put a tax on fast food?
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people think that sport in schools is a waste of time and resources, while others believe it is a vital part of education (opinion)
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Some schools insist that students have laptops in class (advantages / disadvantages)
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Today’s governments struggle to create enough housing for increasing populations while protecting the environment (opinion)
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: The world today is a safer place and governments should stop spending large amounts of money on their armed forces (agree/disagree).
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Many people nowadays travel abroad for their university education (discuss)
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Some people believe that everyone has a right to access to the Internet and governments should provide it free (agree/disagree)
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Breakthroughs in medical science are the most significant advances over the last two centuries (opinion)
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Some say that people should diet and exercise to lose weight, while others think they should eat better and change their lifestyle (opinion)
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Should teachers be required to conform to a dress code?
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Increases in fuel prices are the only way to reduce world consumption of fuel (agree/disagree)
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Some people believe that teaching music in schools is vital, while others think it is unnecessary (opinion)
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Some people believe that the world’s increase in population is unsustainable, while others think it is necessary and beneficial (opinion)
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Wildlife population around the world has decreased by around 50 per cent, what can we do to protect wildlife?
• IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Schools should teach their students how to survive financially in the world today (agree/disagree)

IELTS Essay – Band 8

• IELTS Essay Samples of Band 8
• IELTS essay, topic: The main aim of advertising is to improve sales of products that people do not really need (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: It is better to be unemployed than work in a job you dislike (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people think that dangerous sports should be banned (discuss + opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: Use of computers and mobile phones to communicate has a negative impact on reading and writing skills (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: People are spending more and more time away from their families (reasons and effects)
• IELTS essay, topic: Reading newspapers and watching TV news is a waste of time (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Transportation of products and people is the main source of pollution (discuss + opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some countries invest a significant amount of money in promoting the use of bicycles (reasons and effects)
• IELTS essay, topic: Too much attention and resources are given to the protection of wild animals and birds (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: The purpose of education is to make individuals useful to society, not help people pursue personal ambitions (discuss + opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: In many countries, the number of animals and plants is declining (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: New parents should attend parenting classes to learn how to bring up their children well (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people believe that countries should produce all the food necessary to feed their populations and import as little food as possible (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: If a child commits a crime, should the child or the parents be punished? (discuss + opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: The role of parents and family in the future success of a person is more important than knowledge and skills learnt at school (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Social media helps people to keep in touch with friends and stay on top of news and events (advantages/disadvantages)
• IELTS essay, topic: Part time courses are on the rise and students are taking them up as an alternative to full time courses (advantages/disadvantages)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people think it is better to make more money rather than have free time (discuss + opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people argue that sports are essential, while others view sports as a leisure time activity (discuss + opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: People in senior positions should be compensated with significantly higher salaries (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: More and more people participate in extreme sports (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people tend to buy products or get services instantly (reasons and effects)
• IELTS essay, topic: Many university students nowadays live away from home and their parents (advantages/disadvantages)
• IELTS essay, topic: Young people don’t communicate with older people as much as they used to (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: Many people do not exercise enough and eat an unhealthy diet (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some argue that governments should create nutrition and food choice laws to improve public health (discuss + opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: Many people today are drinking sugar-based drinks (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: Celebrities can be poor role models for teenagers (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Many people try to achieve a work-life balance but fail (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: In many workplaces online communication has overtaken face to face meetings (advantages/disadvantages)
• IELTS essay, topic: Despite the benefits of walking, very few people walk nowadays (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: In many countries a lot of food is wasted (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: Newspapers have a significant influence on people’s ideas and opinions (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: The best way to solve environmental problems is to increase the price of fuel (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Who should discipline the children, parents or the government? (discuss + opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: Young people aren’t spending their weekends doing outdoor activities such as hiking or mountaineering (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some think that hosting an international sporting event is beneficial for a country while others disagree (advantages / disadvantages)
• IELTS essay, topic: People should follow the customs and traditions of their new country (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Museums and art galleries should present only the national art (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Young people are facing problems at school and at home, what problems and how can parents help?
• IELTS essay, topic: Crime rates are likely to decline due to the advancements in technology (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Young people are finding it harder to find permanent jobs (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some say that new homes should be constructed in existing cities while others argue that new towns should be built (advantages/disadvantages)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some think that young people should be free to choose any career they like, while others say that they should think more realistically about their future (opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: In the modern world it is possible to shop, work and communicate online without face-to-face contact, is it a positive or a negative development?
• IELTS essay, topic: Excessive use of modern technologies is negatively affecting the reading and writing skills of children (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: People who read for pleasure develop their imagination more and acquire better language skills compared to people who prefer watching television (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Who should be responsible for protecting the environment, individuals or the government?
• IELTS essay, topic: Children today are spending more time watching TV than in the past, is it a positive or a negative change?
• IELTS essay, topic: High-rise vs. low-rise buildings, which solution is better for a growing population?
• IELTS Essay, topic: Nowadays celebrities earn more money than politicians, what are the reasons for this?
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people think that it is fine for professional athletes to misbehave on or off the field, as long as they are playing well (opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people believe that women should be treated as equal to men when applying for a job with the police or the military, while others disagree (opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: In many countries young people start living on their own after high school, is this a positive or negative development?
• IELTS essay, topic: In the past people wore their traditional clothes, but these days most people wear similar clothes, is this a positive or negative development?
• IELTS essay, topic: Many people support animal testing while others believe it isn’t appropriate (discuss)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some think that children should leave their family home as soon as possible while others believe they should stay for as long as they like (discuss)
• IELTS essay, topic: When new towns are planned, it is important to build more public parks or sports facilities than shopping centers (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people think that public health in a country can be improved by government making laws regarding nutritious food (agree/disagree).
• IELTS essay, topic: Nowadays many people choose ready-made food and refuse to cook at home, why and what are the advantages/disadvantages?
• IELTS essay, topic: Nowadays that many women have full time jobs, it is logical to share the housework evenly between men and women (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some believe the government should take care of retirees, while others think everyone should save for their own retirement (opinion)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people say that arts subjects are as essential as academic ones and should be part of school syllabus (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Nowadays people waste a lot of food, why is this happening and how to reduce waste?
• IELTS essay, topic: Some parents encourage young people to leave home while others think they should stay with the family, discuss and give your opinion
• IELTS essay, topic: What are the difficulties of learning a foreign language, and how to overcome them?
• IELTS essay, topic: Should employers pay more attention to personal qualities rather than qualifications?
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people use the Internet to search for solutions to their medical problems, is this a positive or negative development?
• IELTS essay, topic: Nowadays more and more people want to live by themselves, why is this happening?
• IELTS essay, topic: The education system is the only critical factor in the development of a country, agree/disagree (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS essay, topic: Obesity is becoming common among children, give reasons and solutions (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS essay, topic: Education in financial management should be a mandatory component of the school program, agree/disagree (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS essay, topic: Dieting can change a person’s life for better or worse (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS essay, topic: Changing drivers age limits is the best way to reduce traffic accidents (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS Essay, topic: Some believe that modern technology is increasing the gap between the rich and poor, while others disagree (discuss)
• IELTS essay, topic: Childcare training courses should be mandatory for all parents (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Many people believe that reducing speed limits is the best option for road safety improvement (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Nowadays families move to different countries for work and some think it has a negative effect on children (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people believe that preserving natural environment is crucial, but make no effort to do so (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS Essay, topic: Teachers are more responsible for social and intellectual development of students than parents (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: People should not work beyond the retirement age (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: The proportion of older people is increasing, what problems will this cause and what solutions can be suggested?
• IELTS essay, topic: Senior managers should have higher salaries than other employees (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Advertising affects what people think is important and has a negative effect on their lives (agree/disagree)
• IELTS essay, topic: Many believe that international tourism is bad for their country (reasons and solutions)
• IELTS essay, topic: Many museums charge for admission while others are free. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people claim that it is acceptable to use animals in medical research (discuss)
• IELTS essay, topic: should children grow up in the city or countryside (advantages/disadvantages)?
• IELTS essay, topic: should unpaid community work be mandatory in high school (agree/disagree)?
• IELTS essay, topic: the development of technology causes traditional skills to die out, agree or disagree?
• IELTS essay, topic: Why do criminals commit another offence after being punished?
• IELTS essay, topic: Schools should select students by their academic abilities, agree or disagree?
• IELTS essay, topic: Children these days are suffering from obesity, why and how can it be solved?
• IELTS essay, topic: Public libraries should only provide books, not videos or DVD, agree or disagree?
• IELTS essay, topic: Children should be engaged in paid work, agree or disagree?
• IELTS essay, topic: Should people spend a lot on weddings and birthday parties?
• IELTS Essay, topic: the positive and the negative sides of globalization
• IELTS Essay, topic: children and rules
• IELTS Essay, topic: The advantages and disadvantages of globalization
• IELTS Essay, topic: Financial education
• IELTS Essay, topic: Computers replacing teachers
• IELTS Essay, topic: Rich countries should help the poor
• IELTS Essay, topic: Events bringing people together
• IELTS Essay, topic: Computers instead of teachers

IELTS Essay – Band 7

• IELTS Essay Samples of Band 7
• IELTS essay, topic: Some people say protecting the environment is the government’s responsibility, others believe individuals should be responsible for it (opinion)
• IELTS Essay, topic: Should students travel?
• IELTS Essay, topic: Computers in the future
• IELTS Essay, topic: Working children
• IELTS Essay, topic: The Internet and communication
• IELTS Essay, topic: News on TV
• IELTS Essay, topic: Environmental problems
• IELTS Essay, topic: Capital punishment
• IELTS Essay, topic: Should tobacco be prohibited?
• IELTS Essay, topic: Should wealthy nations share their wealth?
• IELTS Essay, topic: Advertising
• IELTS Essay, topic: Computers in our life
• IELTS Essay, topic: The Internet as a source of information
• IELTS Essay, topic: Smoking in public places
• IELTS Essay, topic: Children and rules
• IELTS Essay, topic: Space exploration
• IELTS Essay, topic: Internet connecting people
• IELTS Essay, topic: Popular events

IELTS Essay – Band 6

• IELTS Essay Samples of Band 6
• IELTS essay, topic: Students from rural areas should get a subsidized university education, agree or disagree?
• IELTS essay, topic: Should students do other activities in addition to studying?
• IELTS essay, topic: Change is always a good thing, agree or disagree?
• IELTS essay, topic: The advantages and disadvantages of studying in another country
• IELTS Essay, Topic: Is financial education at school a must?
• IELTS Essay, Topic: Avoiding traffic accidents
• IELTS Essay, Topic: Reasons for and against dieting
• IELTS Essay, Topic: The positive and negative sides of globalization
• IELTS essay, topic: Should children be working?
• IELTS essay, topic – Getting the news from the radio, TV or the Internet
• IELTS essay, topic – People moving into English speaking countries
• IELTS Essay, topic: Traffic accidents
• IELTS Essay, topic: Financial education at school
• IELTS Essay, topic: Aspects of globalization
• IELTS Essay, topic: Dieting changes a person’s life
• IELTS Essay, topic: Reasons to attend college
• IELTS Essay, topic: Education as a critical factor
• IELTS Essay, topic: Learning about the past
• IELTS Essay, topic: Globalization
• IELTS Essay, topic: Leisure time activities
• IELTS Essay, topic: Critical factors to the development of a country
• IELTS Essay, topic: Women in power
• IELTS Essay, topic: Overpopulation

IELTS Essay – Band 5

• IELTS Essay Samples of Band 5
• IELTS Essay, topic: Natural resources cannot sustain economic growth, agree or disagree?
• IELTS Essay, topic: keeping pets to live a more enjoyable life
• IELTS Essay, topic: the mother’s and father’s role in a family
• IELTS Essay, topic: Capital Punishment
• IELTS Essay, topic: Education with or without a teacher
• IELTS Essay, topic: A popular hobby rather than a favorite passtime
• IELTS Essay, topic: University money better spent on libraries or sports
• IELTS Essay, topic: Modern medicine helps to live longer

IELTS Letter – Band 9

• IELTS Letter Samples of Band 9
• IELTS Letter, topic: Asking your boss for some time off
• IELTS Letter, topic: Describing your visit to the museum
• IELTS Letter, topic: Applying for a job at a shop
• IELTS Letter, topic: Complaining about problems on your train journey
• IELTS Letter, topic: Writing to a friend to borrow a good camera
• IELTS Letter, topic: Introduction of an exchange student to a host family
• IELTS Letter, topic: Letting a friend know about your change of plans
• IELTS Letter, topic: Requesting information about a venue you would like to rent
• IELTS Letter, topic: Inviting an old friend to your new house
• IELTS Letter, topic: Notifying a bank about a missing credit card
• IELTS Letter, topic: Asking a friend if he would like to buy your car
• IELTS Letter, topic: Complaining about some food you bought at a supermarket
• IELTS Letter, topic: Apologising to a customer who received poor service
• IELTS Letter, topic: Requesting information about a foreign language course
• IELTS Letter, topic: Asking your friend to accompany you on a holiday
• IELTS Letter, topic: Complaining about rubbish collection services
• IELTS Letter, topic: Complaining about an unsatisfactory rental apartment
• IELTS Letter, topic: Thanking a friend for a nice birthday present
• IELTS Letter, topic: writing to apply for a part-time job

IELTS Letter – Band 8

• IELTS Sample Letters of Band 8
• IELTS Letter, topic: writing to recommend a friend for a job at a summer school camp
• IELTS Letter, topic: writing to thank a bus company employee for helping you
• IELTS Letter, topic: writing to a friend about an article that captured your attention
• IELTS Letter, topic: complaining to a company about receiving the wrong product
• IELTS Letter, topic: informing your manager about a presentation you were asked to prepare
• IELTS Letter, topic: Inviting a friend to a music concert
• IELTS Letter, topic: Resigning from a part time job
• IELTS Letter, topic: Inviting a friend to a family party
• IELTS Letter, topic: Enquiring about lost clothes
• IELTS Letter, topic: Complaining about airport services
• IELTS Letter, topic: Applying for an advertised position
• IELTS letter, topic: Business letter about organising a corporate event (from Ace the IELTS book)
• IELTS letter, topic: request for information about a seminar (from Ace the IELTS book)
• IELTS letter, topic: a complaint about a rental car (from Ace the IELTS book)
• IELTS letter, topic: ask the college principal for information about a scholarship (from Ace the IELTS book)
• IELTS Letter, topic: Invite a friend to your new house
• IELTS Letter, topic: Your friend is coming over to stay with you
• IELTS Letter, topic: Get well wishes for a team-mate
• IELTS Letter, topic: Leaving your current employment
• IELTS Letter, topic: An explanation for a relative
• IELTS Letter, topic: Telling a friend about a new job
• IELTS Letter, topic: Complaining to neighbours about their noisy dog
• IELTS Letter, topic: Explaining to a friend how to look after your house
• IELTS Letter, topic: Expressing dissatisfaction with a course at college
• IELTS Letter, topic: A complaint about a purchase made online
• IELTS Letter, topic: Booking a hotel room
• IELTS Letter, topic: Personal, asking for the forgotten file
• IELTS Letter, topic: An explanation for the boss

IELTS Letter – Band 7

• IELTS Sample Letters of Band 7
• IELTS Letter, topic: Complaint about a laptop
• IELTS Letter, topic: Asking for information about an executive event
• IELTS Letter, topic: Asking for information about a seminar
• IELTS Letter, topic: Writing to a pen pal
• IELTS Letter, topic: Writing to a manager about problems at work
• IELTS Letter, topic: Complaint about a faulty mobile phone
• IELTS Letter, topic: Complaint about a rental car
• IELTS Letter, topic: a migrant writes a letter to a friend
• IELTS Letter, topic: item left on the bus
• IELTS Letter, topic: Explanation of delayed first working day
• IELTS Letter, topic: Asking for information on scholarships
• IELTS Letter, topic: Cleaning job application

IELTS Report – Band 9

• IELTS Report Samples of Band 9
• IELTS Report, topic: Table describing the amount of road traffic in London (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 4)
• IELTS Report, topic: Double line graph of lengths of hospital stay (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 4)
• IELTS Report, topic: Pie charts of greenhouse gas emissions (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 4)
• IELTS Report, topic: Flow charts of circles of poverty (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 3)
• IELTS Report, topic: Multiple Bar Chart of US’ Processed Food Export Markets (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 3)
• IELTS Report, topic: Five line graphs showing the annual visitor spend in New Zealand (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 3)
• IELTS Report, topic: Two bar charts showing the prevalence of obesity among boys and girls (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 3)
• IELTS Report, topic: Bar chart describing Scotland’s exports (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 3)
• IELTS Report, topic: Process diagram describing the life-cycle of the car (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 2)
• IELTS Report, topic: Two pie charts describing the proportions of visits to Ireland by age, gender and type of visit (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 2)
• IELTS Report, topic: Table and pie chart describing day and overnight stays in public and private hospitals in Australia (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 2)
• IELTS Report, topic: Multiple line graph describing the percentage of students learning a second language (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 2)
• IELTS Report, topic: Two pie charts describing UK tax revenue and government spending (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 2)
• IELTS Report, topic: Process diagram describing the cycle of pollution (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 1)
• IELTS Report, topic: Bar chart and pie chart describing Australian water consumption (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 1)
• IELTS Report, topic: Two tables comparing workers of foreign and US birth in the United States (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 1)
• IELTS Report, topic: Pie charts of electricity generation by source (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 1)
• IELTS Report, topic: Bar chart of average rainfall by month (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 1)

IELTS Report – Band 8

• IELTS Sample Reports of Band 8
• IELTS Report, topic: Pie charts describing the main reasons why students chose a particular university
• IELTS Report, topic: Diagram describing a fire exit plan in a college accommodation
• IELTS Report, topic: Line graph describing the number of students from the US, UK and Australia who studied in other countries
• IELTS Report, topic: Pie charts describing the percentages of book sales of one bookseller in 1970, 1997 and 2012
• IELTS Report, topic: Bar chart describing the percentage of people who ate at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day
• IELTS Report, topic: Table describing postgraduate course fees in 3 countries
• IELTS Report, topic: Line graph describing production of 3 different fuels in the UK
• IELTS Report, topic: Table describing the use of water in 6 countries
• IELTS Report, topic: Four pie charts describing sectors of employment in two towns, in 2009 and 2020
• IELTS Report, topic: Table describing the viewers’ preferences for TV programs
• IELTS Report, topic: Bar charts describing the hours worked by men and women in 3 countries
• IELTS Report, topic: Bar chart describing the spending on R&D in 5 countries between 2001 and 2011
• IELTS Report, topic: Two bar graphs showing how often people exercised in Europe in 2016
• IELTS Report, topic: Comparing two plans of a cinema, in 1980 and now
• IELTS Report, topic: Describing two maps of a city, in 1960 and now
• IELTS report, topic: Shopping centre map comparison
• IELTS report, topic: Bar chart and pie chart describing residential water consumption (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 1)
• IELTS Report, topic: Table describing number of students studying foreign languages (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS Report, topic: Table describing data on home schooled children (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS Report, topic: Comparing current and future floor plans of a museum (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS Report, topic: Pie chart and bar graph describing employment percentages (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS Report, topic: Double bar graph describing water usage by industries (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS Report, topic: Double bar graph describing investment in stocks and bonds (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS Report, topic: Double line graph showing average house prices (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS Report, topic: Double line graph showing high tech gadgets prices (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS Report, topic: Map of a town before and after redevelopment
• IELTS Report, topic: Bar chart of average house prices
• IELTS Report, topic: Bar graph describing trends in consumption of fast food
• IELTS Report, topic: Map with two sites for a shopping mall

IELTS Report – Band 7

• IELTS Sample Reports of Band 7
• IELTS Report, topic: Bar graphs describing unemployment rates and average earnings by level of education
• IELTS Report, topic: Flow chart describing how laundry service works (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS Report, topic: Single line graph describing rainfall statistics (from Target Band 7 book)
• IELTS Report, topic: Bar graph describing average house prices
• IELTS Report, topic: Table describing the satisfaction of sports club’s members
• IELTS Report, topic: Line graph describing the consumption of fish and meat
• IELTS report, topic: Double line graph describing the birth rate in China and the USA
• IELTS report, topic: Table describing different types of families living in poverty
• IELTS Report, topic: a pie chart of leisure activities
• IELTS Report, topic: bar graph of water usage
• IELTS Report, topic: A line graph of wages growth
• IELTS Report, topic: Table of home schooled students’ percentages

Note: the tasks are checked by an IELTS teacher, not an IELTS examiner or examiner trainer. All the bands are approximate.

21 thoughts on “IELTS Writing Samples: Essay, Letter, Report”

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The essays are well organised and set perfect example for various band requirement

General Ielts material required

You can find General Training writing task 1 letters here. Is that what you were looking for, or something else?

Need sample answer for this topic The graph below describe rainfall statistics for somecountry

Awesome website good looking Thanks for sharing.

Dear Mr Braverman, I have heard that your website can help us in correcting our essays, so wanted to know how it is possible to send my task 2 essays for correction?

Hi Ava, yes we will be happy to correct your essays. Please visit this page to purchase a writing correction package , so that we can start checking your essays straight away.

Sir I need gernal ielts knowledge

Sir I need general Ielts knowledge

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Plz send me letter types

Hi Shahlo, you can find model letters that would score Band 9 in IELTS here . If you’d like to start receiving the latest IELTS questions and model answers to your email, go here and subscribe (it’s free)

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How to Write a Letter or an Essay in English | Useful Tips

How to write a letter or how to write an essay in English? Useful tips for writing letters, essays in English.

Table of Contents

How to Write a Letter

How to write a cover letter.

How to Write Informal Letters

How to end a letter in english.

Useful Words and Phrases for Writing Formal Letters

Writing a letter or an email.

How to Write a Great Essay Quickly

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Essay and letter writing

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Uploaded by station48.cebu on January 23, 2022

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Transactional Writing for Pearson Edexcel IGCSE

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Unit of work

Last updated

30 December 2023

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This unit contains everything you need to teach transactional writing (letters, speeches, articles, essays, reviews and leaflets) at IGCSE. This unit of work is focused on Pearson Edexcel Paper 1 for English language and teaches the students how to argue, advise and persuade. It includes 25 lessons and is fully resourced with lesson Powerpoints, exemplar answers, newspaper articles, leaflets, essays, reviews and speeches.

Lesson 1: Introduction to transactional writing Lesson 2: Coronavirus response Lesson 3: How to counter-argue Lesson 4: Tough love Lesson 5: Raising children Lesson 6: Travel Writing Lesson 7: Charity speech Lesson 8: Letter of application Lesson 9: Write your letter of application Lesson 10: Technology Lesson 11: Fame Lesson 12: English teacher application Lesson 13: Health leaflet Lesson 14: Mobile phones Lesson 15: Parents are over-protective Lesson 16: Who would you vote for? Lesson 17: Film censorship essay Lesson 18: Writing your essay Lesson 19: Protecting the countryside Lesson 20: Virgin Atlantic complaint letter Lesson 21: Meghan and Harry Lesson 22: Writing your opinion Lesson 23: Foreign holidays Lesson 24: Writing a film review Lesson 25: Writing a book review

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hasnatarguisti

Very basic - No starters or obvious main tasks. Articles and prompts not fully functional lessons. Could be use as the basis.

alexdavis1977

Hi hasnatarguisti. Sorry to hear you didn't like the unit. I do however, take issue with the "no starters or obvious main tasks". As starters I found: gap fill the features of transactional writing, discuss our response to the Coronavirus, analyse the layout of a newspaper article, look for war metaphors in an article, define and match up counter arguments, discuss teenage discipline at home and look at the tone of persuade, argue and advise. For main tasks I saw: identifying genre, audience and purpose, identifying tone, writing a response to a newspaper article, how to structure a speech with sentence starts as support, writing a catchy headline, counter arguing and identifying point of view. And that's just the first three lessons. I fail to see how these are not "obvious". However, if you're not happy, feel free to contact TES for a refund.

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