IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training 2026: Letter Writing Guide — Formal, Semi-Formal, Informal

IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 requires you to write a letter of at least 150 words in 20 minutes. The prompt specifies a situation and tells you to write to a specific person (or organization), with 3 bullet points you must address. The critical skill is tone control — correctly identifying whether the letter should be formal, semi-formal, or informal, and maintaining that tone consistently throughout. Many Indian students lose marks by mixing tones (using “Dear Sir” but then writing in casual language) or by failing to address all three bullet points. This guide covers the structure, tone rules, and sample frameworks for all three letter types.

Task 1 GT — Letter Writing Requirements

The prompt gives you a situation and three bullet points. You must address all three bullet points in your letter — missing even one reduces your Task Achievement score significantly. The letter should be at least 150 words (aim for 170–190). You have 20 minutes, so plan for 2 minutes of planning, 15 minutes of writing, and 3 minutes of review. The four scoring criteria are the same as Task 2: Task Achievement, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy, with Task Achievement focusing specifically on whether you addressed all bullet points and used the correct tone.

Understanding Tone — Formal, Semi-Formal, Informal

The prompt itself tells you who you are writing to, which determines the tone: Formal — writing to someone you do not know (a company manager, government office, newspaper editor, or organization). Semi-formal — writing to someone you know in a professional or respectful context (landlord, teacher, employer, colleague). Informal — writing to a close friend or family member. The tone must be consistent from the opening to the closing. Mixing tones (e.g., starting with “Dear Sir/Madam” but using “gonna” or “lol”) is a clear Band 5 marker.

Formal Letters — Structure & Sample

Situation example: “You recently bought a product online and it arrived damaged. Write a letter to the company manager. In your letter: describe what you purchased and when, explain the problem, and say what you would like the company to do.”

Structure: Opening (“Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to bring to your attention a matter regarding...”), Paragraph 2 (address bullet point 1 — describe purchase), Paragraph 3 (address bullet points 2 & 3 — explain problem and state desired action), Closing (“I look forward to your prompt response. Yours faithfully, [Name]”). Key formal phrases: “I am writing to express my dissatisfaction,” “I would be grateful if you could,” “I trust this matter will be resolved promptly,” “Please do not hesitate to contact me.”

“In IELTS Writing, structure wins over vocabulary. A well-organised essay with clear ideas will always score higher than a vocabulary showcase with poor coherence.”

— EEC Expert Trainer, 27+ Years Experience

Semi-Formal Letters — Structure & Sample

Situation example: “There is a problem with the flat you rent. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter: describe the problem, say how it is affecting you, and suggest a solution.”

Semi-formal letters use “Dear Mr./Ms. [Name]” and “Yours sincerely.” The language is polite but not stiff. You can use some contractions (“I've noticed” is acceptable, but “I ain't happy” is not). The overall tone should be respectful and clear. Key semi-formal phrases: “I'm writing to let you know about,” “I would appreciate it if you could,” “Could you possibly arrange for,” “I hope we can resolve this soon.”

Informal Letters — Structure & Sample

Situation example: “Your friend is visiting your city for the first time. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter: suggest places to visit, offer to show them around, and recommend where to stay.”

Informal letters open with “Dear [First Name]” or “Hi [Name]” and close with “Best wishes,” “Take care,” or “See you soon.” Use contractions freely (“I'm,” “you'll,” “it's”), personal expressions (“I can't wait to see you!” “You're going to love it!”), and emotional language. Common mistake: Many Indian students write informal letters too formally because they are trained in formal English. If the prompt says “friend,” the letter must feel like a natural message to a friend — warm, enthusiastic, and personal.

Openings & Closings by Letter Type

Common Letter Writing Mistakes

EEC Writing Coaching for GT

EEC's IELTS General Training coaching includes dedicated letter writing practice for all three tones. Trainers provide prompt-based exercises where you write letters under timed conditions and receive detailed feedback on tone consistency, bullet point coverage, vocabulary appropriateness, and grammar accuracy. The course also covers Task 2 essays (same for both formats) and is included in the ₹7,500 all-inclusive IELTS coaching fee. Call +91 8758883889 or book a free consultation. For immigration-focused GT preparation, also see: GT for Canada PR.

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