IELTS General Training Writing Tips

This page is where you learn about GT (General Training) exam content and writing tasks.

Below you are going to learn about writing task 1, what type of letters are given in the writing task, how to write the letters, guidelines for writing the letters and the necessary tips you need to know.

GT Writing Task 1 Letters =formal, semi-formal, informal/personal
Use the following tips to guarantee you understand GT letters properly

  • Candidates are expected to write a letter which can be formal, semi-formal or informal.
  • A list of points is provided for the letter as well as the aim. It is your task to make sure your letter comprises all points with a clear aim.
  • Give heed to opening lines, closing remarks, paragraphs e.t.c
  • You also need to give attention to style and tone depending on whether the letter is formal or informal.
  • Aim to know the scoring for task 1,
  • remember that task 1 is only 33% of your writing marks.
  • You are to write over 150 words. But it is advised not to write over 200 words
  • It is advised to take no more than 20 minutes for this task. It is up to you to manage the one hour given for the whole writing test.
  • GT students are not required to write a report on a chart or graph.

Only one criterion is different for GT students,

  • Task requirement General Training is using the right tone and also motive. It also relates to the word count
  • Task requirement Academic is about illustrating key characteristics, having a summary and exact information. It also connects to the word count.
  • Coherence and Cohesion are the same for both GT and Academic. It is based on the construction of information, paragraphing and linking devices
  • Lexical resource(vocabulary) is marked using the same band scores for both GT and Academic, this is about using suitable language, and numbers of errors made.
  • Grammar is also marked using the same band score for both GT and Academic and is about using a range of grammar structures and tenses punctuation and the number of errors made.

Each model is 25% of your total mark for writing task 1

Guidelines for IELTS letter writing

You will be given instructions and three points to include in your letter. Below is an example

You recently had a vacation visiting your cousins and you stayed in their house.

  • Write a letter to your cousins. In your letter
  • Thank your cousins for staying with them
  • Tell them what you enjoyed most about the holiday
  • Explain you are sending pictures you took during the vacation with the letter

7 BAND TIPS FOR IELTS TASK -1
a) Use 20 minutes on the letter.
b) Use 2-5 minutes of planning and then the rest writing. Always make sure you leave 2 minutes to check your letter for spelling or grammar mistakes. You will need a full 40 minutes for task 2, so don’t go over 20 minutes for task 1
c) Writing a letter with over 250 words is a waste of time
d) You do not need to write an address in your letter.
e) Give close vigilance to who you are writing to and the connection you have with that person, this will determine your style of writing and your tone.
f) Pay vigilance to the aim and motive of the letter.
g) You must use the three points to structure your letter and provide the basis for the information.
h) All the points must be contained clearly in your letter. Failure to do this will cause your band score to be lower.
i) You must use your intuition to fill in details and decide the names of the people in your letter.
j) Begin your letter by addressing the person and then an opening line.
k) sign off properly in latter.
Types of IELTS Letter

There are 3 various types of letters:

1.Personal/Informal,
2. Semi-formal
3. Formal.

Each type of letter will use several languages. It will have a diverse beginning and a different way of signing off.

As your first task, you are to decide which type of letter you must write by identifying the task given.

NOTE: you will be taught how to identify the type of letter and style of writing below

Examples of the three types of letters.

  • PERSONAL LETTER: this is a letter written to someone you have a close or personal relationship with about a social or personal situation or events.

    Example
    You would like to invite a distant friend to visit you for your graduation party.

    Write a letter inviting your friend, in your letter

    1. Tell your friend about your graduation party
    2. Explain how much the visit would mean to you,
    3. Suggest that your friend stays at your house for the visit.
  • SEMI FORMAL LETTER:this is written to a person you have a close relationship with about a formal or serious situation.

    Example
    Your uncle has a textile company and would like you to come work for him.
    Write a letter replying to your uncle’s offer, in your letter

    1. Explain what you know about your uncle company
    2. Choose whether you accept or decline the offer
    3. Give reasons for your choice.
  • FORMAL LETTER:this is written to a person you have no close relationship with about formal or serious situations.

    Example
    You are interested in applying for a job in an international company as an accountant.

    Write a letter to the company to apply for that position, in your letter

    1. Explain why you are applying for the job
    2. Say what you know about the company
    3. Explain why you should be given the job

The purpose of the letter

Letters can be established on different content which will affect the style of the letter. You will know the style of the letter by reading the guidance given to you.

Formal letters are:

  • Letter of complaint
  • Letter of application or resignation
  • Letter of appointment
  • Letter of making arrangement

Informal/Semi-Formal letters are:

  • Letters of invitation
  • Letter of explanation
  • Newsletter

    • Letter of apology and request can be in a different format

    Opening of the letter

    Letters usually start with an opening message that explains the reason for writing the letter. The opening statement varies. It usually depends on whether you are writing a formal letter or an informal letter.

    Examples of an opening statement are;

    A) I am writing this letter to apply for the job opening as a Branch Manager in one of your companies in London
    B) It’s been so long since we spoke but I haven’t forgotten all the quality times we spent together last year, I had so much fun. My graduation is coming up and a party is being held in my honour. I would like to invite you over to stay at my house for the celebration (Personal)
    C) I’m just writing to say thank you for the offer to travel on a vacation with your family. (Semi-formal)
    Sign Off

    Depending on the style and aim of the letter, you will need to adapt your final remark or comment.

    • Dear Sir/Madam will end with Yours Faithfully for formal letter
    • Dear Mr Rehman/ Dear Abdul Rehman will end with Yours Sincerely also for formal letter
    • Hi Davina/ Dear Davina will end with See you, Take care and All the best for informal or semi-formal letter

    NOTE

    • Titles like Sir/Madam are only used when you don’t know the person you are writing to. Titles are not allowed if you know the name of the person. You also do not use titles in your Speaking Test.
    • You can also write a formal letter to someone whose name you know. You can make use of either Mr Rehman/ Abdul Rehman.
    • Titles and last name are not to be used when writing to a friend.

    The final signing off comment can be

    • 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).

    Names

    You should write a name at the end of your letter. You can use your name or you can develop one.

    • Dear Sir, Yours Faithfully, Jonathan Maple. Always with a family name with or without a title.
    • Dear Mr Rehman, Yours Sincerely, Mrs Sara Klein.
    • Hi Davina, See you soon, Preeti. No title and no family name because it’s an informal letter.

    Grammar: Formal and Informal

    Formal and Informal letters have different languages and style of writing.
    For informal letters, you can make use of abbreviations (I’m looking forward ) but for formal letters, abbreviations are not accepted you have to write your words in full (I am looking forward)

    Make sure your writing suits the style of the letter. Don’t forget to use an expanse of different sentence structures in your letter

    Vocabulary

    Vocabulary is divided into formal and informal languages. You should be careful not to use academic languages in a personal letter, it will only reduce your band score.
    Below are some examples of the difference between formal and informal language.

    Formal; The next time of visit is on Thursday
    Informal; you can visit on Thursday

    Formal; it is highly advised that you come in August
    Informal; it’d be great if you could come around August

    Spelling and Punctuation

    The examiner will check your preciseness in your spelling and your punctuation. So make sure your spellings are correct and your punctuation(commas, full stops) are used correctly.

    Arrangement and Paragraphs

    Your letter must be organised into paragraphs. This is a vital part of your letter writing and the examiner will mark you on your ability to use effective paragraphing.

    Below are common letter structures used in IELTS GT writing task 1 which follows the three points you must include in your letter

    Structure;

    • Title,
    • Opening statement- the reason for writing
    • Body paragraph A(one point with detail)
    • Body paragraph B(also one point with detail)
    • Body paragraph C(final point with detail)
    • Closing statement
    • Signing off
    • Name (choose a name or you can make use of yours)

    Planning of Your Letter

    Before you start writing your letter, you should spend 3-4 minutes thinking of what you want to write, make sure you cover all points in your letter, add details, use the suitable style of letter writing and use paragraphs correctly because it counts for about 50% of your marks.

    Follow the points below for a well-planned letter;

    a) Read the guidelines
    b) Identify what style of letter you are to write
    c) Read through the points that will be included in your letter
    d) Think about how many paragraphs you will have and where to put each point
    e) Plan what information you will add to each point
    f) Decide how to open the letter
    g) Think about the language you will use (both grammar and vocabulary)- it must suit the style of the letter
    h) Decide how to close the letter
    i) Plan the content of each body paragraph
    j) And finally, start writing