Writing a letter in the IELTS General Training exam can be challenging. However, with knowledge of the task requirements, some simple strategies and practice, you can significantly improve your skills and scores. This guide will provide you with essential strategies and skills to improve your IELTS General Training letter writing task.
The importance of planning
I cannot stress enough the importance of planning. Candidates often think that 20 minutes is not enough time to complete the task and rush straight into writing the answer.
Planning your answer will keep you on topic and ensure that you have included everything that’s needed to score well, especially in Task achievement. Planning actually saves time because when it comes to writing the answer you already know the content. Take several minutes to read and fully understand the task because there is a lot of information in the prompt.
Understanding the Task
Before you start, take a moment to analyze the task described in the prompt. Use these 6 steps to ensure you include all the necessary information.
Who are you writing to?
What is the style of the letter? Formal or informal?
What is the purpose of the letter?
What information needs to be included?
Closing the letter
Sign off
For example:
Formal or Informal Style?
Decide who you are writing to. This will be included in the situation. Who you write to will determine the style of your letter whether it is formal or informal.
Formal: You do not know the receiver. It can be someone in a position of authority (manager, supervisor) or could be a company or organization. I can also be someone you know but do not have a close personal relationship with.
Example:
You bought a set of speakers from a store recently and discovered that they were not working properly.
Write a letter to the store manager
Informal: A friend or family member. Someone you have a close personal relationship with. If the instructions say “write a letter to your friend”, it is informal.
Example
You will take a short holiday in London next month and you would like to spend some time with a friend who lives there.
Write a letter to your friend
Purpose of the letter
All letters, formal and informal, must have a clear purpose. Basically, why you are writing.
The purpose or reason why you are writing is always explained in the prompt (situation) and the instructions. Spend a few minutes analyzing the task before you start planning and writing.
For examples and phrases to describe the purpose of the letter, visit the website.
Bullet points: Information you must include
Every General Training Writing Task 1 has 3 bullet points telling you what information you must include. Not including any bullet point will result in a low band score in Task Achievement.
The bullet points are prompts that you should expand and develop, using additional information. They usually begin with an instruction such as “explain” or “describe”. Use these instructions as a guide to how you should expand the bullet points.
Don’t copy the bullet points word for word because they will be deducted from your word count.
Don’t introduce the bullet points.
Closing and sign off
Closing the letter should be a summary of what you have written or a request for action. The style / tone should be appropriate for the type of letter.
For examples of how to expand on the bullet points, phrases for closing and sign off, visit the website.
Structure and Format of IELTS Letter
Examiners like to see a clear structure which makes your letter easy to follow. When writing, organize your answer into six paragraphs. Leave a blank line between each paragraph.
Paragraph 1: Purpose: Clearly state the reason why you are writing in the correct style.
Paragraphs 2, 3 & 4: Bullet points: Organize the information from the three bullet points into three separate paragraphs.
Paragraph 5: Closing: Close your letter with a brief summary of what you have written or a request for action.
Paragraph 6: End with the right sign-off like "Yours sincerely," for formal letters or "Best wishes," for informal letters.
Tips & Strategies
To enhance your IELTS General Training letter writing skills, consider these strategies:
Review Sample Letters: Look at various examples to understand structure, vocabulary, and style. This helps you see what works in both formal and informal contexts. For instance, if you’re writing a letter of complaint, find examples that clearly express dissatisfaction while remaining polite. You can download free band 8 samples of IELTS General Training letters from the website.
Practice Regularly: Frequent practice of all types of letters is crucial. Use IELTS practice tests to time yourself. Research shows that timed practice can increase your confidence and performance under exam conditions.
Get feedback on your work: Practice without feedback is not an effective strategy. Engaging with constructive criticism allows you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, providing a clearer picture of where you stand and what areas require further development. Employ an experienced IELTS teacher or, better still, an ex-examiner
Manage your time: Effective time management is key during the IELTS writing exam. Typically, you have about 20 minutes for the letter-writing task. Don't overthink the content and read the prompt carefully. Follow the structure outlined above and review your letter for clarity and errors.
Mastering Your Writing Skills
By understanding task requirements, mastering structure, using the correct style, and practicing effectively with feedback, you position yourself for success. Focus on managing your time wisely and utilizing available resources to their fullest. With dedication and consistent practice, you will gain confidence in your writing abilities, paving the way for a successful IELTS experience.
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