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IELTS General Training Letter Writing: Formal, Semi-Formal and Informal Letters

How to write an IELTS General Training Task 1 letter: identify the tone, cover all three bullet points, openings and closings, and a sample plan.

By IELTSora teaching team · Updated · 2 min read

The task in brief

General Training Writing Task 1 asks you to write a letter of at least 150 words in about 20 minutes. The prompt describes a situation and gives three bullet points. Covering all three clearly is essential for Task Achievement.

Decide the tone first

The person you are writing to decides your tone:

  • Formal: someone you do not know, such as a manager or company. Start 'Dear Sir or Madam' and end 'Yours faithfully'.
  • Semi-formal: someone you know but respect, such as a teacher or neighbour. Use 'Dear Mr Khan' and 'Yours sincerely'.
  • Informal: a friend or relative. Use 'Dear Sara' or 'Hi Sara' and end 'Best wishes' or 'Take care'.

A simple plan

Open with one sentence giving the purpose. Write one short paragraph for each bullet point, adding a specific detail for each. Close with a sentence asking for action or looking forward to a reply.

Formal opening and closing

I am writing to complain about a washing machine I purchased from your store last week.

I would be grateful if you could arrange a replacement at your earliest convenience.

Common mistakes

Mixing tones (for example 'Hey' with 'Yours faithfully'), forgetting one bullet point, and using memorised phrases that do not fit the situation all reduce scores. Read the bullets again before you finish.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to write an address in the IELTS letter?
No. You do not need to write addresses or a date. Start with the greeting.
How many words should a GT letter be?
At least 150 words. Around 160 to 190 words is a good target.

Put this tip into practice

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