Letter Writing

the examiner will check to see if your letter contains the following features:

•Purpose of the letter is presented

•Tone of the letter is appropriate
•Bullet points are presented, highlighted, and extended
•Format is appropriate – letter format

State the purpose

Start your letter by clearly stating why you are writing, the purpose. The
reason for writing your letter needs to be clearly presented in the opening
paragraph. Make sure the purpose of the letter is in direct response to the
situation outlined in the question.
 Formal Informal

Example opening paragraphs with a clear purpose presented: Letter of complaint

Letter of invitation
(e.g. personal,
Formal letter Informal letter (e.g. party, dinner,
business, recent,
celebration)
experience, product)
Dear John,
Dear Sir/Madam,
I was so pleased to Letter of request (e.g.
Letter of request (e.g.
I am writing to asking questions,
hear that you are refund, repair,
express my asking for advice,
planning on visiting advice, reservation)
dissatisfaction with a asking for help)
my country, so I’m
product I have
writing to give you Letter of enquiry
purchased recently Letter of thanks or
some travel tips and (e.g. information
and to request a full request, booking)
appreciation
advice before you
refund.
book your trip.
Letter of suggestion
Letter of
(e.g. suggesting
recommendation
ideas, plans,
(e.g. job, colleague)
solutions)

Letter of suggestion (e.g.

suggesting ideas, plans,
solutions)
Use the right tone
Let’s move on to the next feature in your letter that the examiner is looking for, the tone of your letter. The tone
refers to the way in which you write the letter, formal or informal style. The instructions in the question will
give you a clue.
Begin your letter as follows:

Informal or semi-formal:
Dear... written to a friend, colleague
or someone you know

Formal: written to someone

Dear Sir/ Madam
you do not know

A formal letter contains:

•Longer sentences that use passive language (be + past An informal letter is:
participle) •Conversational
•Modals (e.g. The broken light needs to be fixed to •Can include contractions (e.g. can’t) and
ensure that the customers who use this facility have more direct speech (e.g. Can you fix the light
adequate visibility of their surroundings.) in the kitchen, so I don’t have an accident?)
Formal vocabulary Informal vocabulary
and structures and structures
Request Ask
Purchase Buy
Could Can
And finally, remember that the greeting
Would Will
and the closing salutation, Writing Task 1
At your earliest
convenience
When you are free letter needs to match the style. For
Respond Write back/ reply example:
Cannot Can't Dear Sir/Madam ----------------------->
Yours sincerely/ Yours faithfully
Best wishes/ love
faithfully Dear John -----------------------> Best
Futhermore And/ also wishes
Can I suggest Can I tell you
As you described As I mentioned
above before
Include bullet points presented in the question
When writing a letter, it is important to include the bullet points presented to you in the question.
•A situation
•Who to write the letter to
•What you must include in the letter (the bullet points).

All three bullet points need to be presented. And remember that some bullet points contain more than one element. So,
make sure to watch for ‘and’ and plurals.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

•Recommend the best time of year to visit and why
•Describe the types of accommodation your friend could choose
•Say what you would like to show your friend in your country
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear…
Look at the first bullet point and you will see it contains two elements. So, make sure you present both:
1.The best time of the year to visit
2.Why it is the best time to visit
 Opening salutation or greeting must be included for
Dear Andrew
appropriate letter format.
I was pleased to hear that you’re going to visit
State the purpose of the letter in the opening
Brisbane, so I’m writing to give you some information
paragraph.
to think about before you come.
Most people travel to Brisbane in the summer
months, but I think it’s uncomfortably hot at that
First bullet point presented and highlighted in a
time of the year. Autumn is the best season, between
separate paragraph.
April and June. It’s still sunny, but much cooler than
in summer.
At the moment, all our bedrooms are full, so,
unfortunately, we can’t put you up. However, there
are some cheap places to stay, like Airbnb’s, in our
The second bullet point is presented and highlighted
suburb. You could also stay in a serviced apartment
in a separate paragraph.
in the city center or on the Gold Coast. There are lots
of specials online, so I’m sure you’ll find somewhere
affordable.
When you get here, let me be your tourist guide. I’ll
take you to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where you
Third bullet point presented and highlighted in a
can feed kangaroos and koalas. I can also drive you to
separate paragraph.
the Gold Coast for a swim. To add excitement, we can
visit the theme parks there too.
Looking forward to catching up Concluding letter (rounding off statement).
Closing salutation must be included for appropriate
Best wishes
letter format.
Ali Your name, to make the letter look realistic.
Useful Language
Below is a selection of useful language for you to use in a formal letter. The phrases you choose will
depend on the context of the question.
Beginning
•I am writing this letter with regard to…
•I am writing to bring to your attention…
•I am writing to inform you that…
•I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…..
Requests and Suggestions
•I would be grateful if you would…
•I would like you to…
•I am entitled to request that you….
•I was wondering if it would be at all possible to….
•I would like to suggest that….
Ending
•I look forward to hearing from you.
•I look forward to receiving your response.
•I await your prompt service.
•I thank you for your consideration.
•Please respond at your earliest convenience.