Letter writing is one of the most common questions when it comes to IELTS writing task one general training.
There can be three types of letters an examiner can ask you to write. One can be a formal one, a semi-formal one, or an informal one. You need to know who you are writing to in order to know the difference between a formal, semi-formal, and informal one.
Let’s discuss first what an informal letter is.
Considering the IELTS exam, every single letter is not an informal one. Only those letters your examiner asks you to write to your friend is an informal letter. The format of the question will specifically tell you who you are going to write that letter to and how.
As far as an informal letter is concerned, it is always going to be written to a friend. The letter should be breezy yet carefully crafted. Even if you are writing this to your friend, you must avoid using any slang words or other “informal” words. The letter is friendly, personal and chatty, just like you would speak to your friend.
Your examiner might ask you to write about your experiences or explain how that particular experience is affecting you or your like. Even though the topic is a little formal, if written to a friend, the letter would be informal.
In your exam, an informal letter will be asked in the following manner:
Your friend recently moved to a new city. You are also planning to move to the same city. Write a letter to your friend. In the letter:
- Ask for their suggestions on a place to live
- Explain to them the kind of place you are looking for or any other requirements you have
- Share your plans, how you are willing to spend your time in that city with them
Marking criteria
The marking criteria for your informal letter in your upcoming IELTS exam will be based on four parameters. These are:
1. Task Achievement
Your score under this criterion will depend on how well you are in terms of paying attention to the requirements of the question. It will also depend on your skills being relevant in terms of the questions. Going off topic and not making sense will only lead you to a lower score spectrum.
2. Cohesion and coherence
Concisely crafted pieces, written in not more than four paragraphs with a logically central idea is what your examiner is looking for. Your score in this criterion depends on your ability to present your ideas in a structured manner, with the right linking words supporting the body of the written piece and having a central topic flowing in a particular paragraph.
3. Lexical resource and vocabulary
You can score well in this particular section by keeping in mind just three things:
These three tips will go a long way as far as this particular section is concerned.
4. Grammar range and accuracy
Errors must not be made in the most common grammar rules. You must avoid using the wrong tenses and the wrong verbs as much as possible. Also, you must not forget to focus on the sentence structure and syntax, word order in the sentence, as well as the correct punctuation marks.
Each criterion carries a 25% weightage in order to determine your final score for that answer.
Structure of an informal letter
Even though it is an informal letter, it will still be structured in a proper manner.
The informal letter should begin with a greeting to your friend. This will already be present in your question, you will be required to simply paraphrase it in your answer.
The next thing to do while you are writing your informal letter would be to give your reason for writing the letter, along with an opening statement. You will be simply required to write the date, place, and other details as per your imagination.
The next will be your body paragraphs. Usually, two body paragraphs are sufficient when it comes to writing an informal letter. However, if the need arises you could use a third body paragraph. In the body paragraphs, you shall write about details as per the question prompts. Filling in the necessary details in two body paragraphs is a great move. However, you are free to have the third body paragraph if it comes to filling up the word limit or any other missing detail that needs to be filled in.
It is imperative that you end your informal letter with a closing statement. The closing statement will completely depend on the question and the tone of the question as well as the letter.
Lastly, the letter must have closing greetings.
Planning an informal letter
Planning an informal letter happens in three phases:
1. Analysis of the question and identification of the kind of letter asked in the same
Analyse the question properly as soon as you read it. Identify if it is actually an informal letter or not. An informal letter can also be written to your parents or other relatives or anyone whom you know closely. Informal letters are not restricted to just friends. Identify the person whom the letter is addressed to. Spare a few minutes before you begin writing and structure it in your mind.
2. Highlighting the keywords properly
It is important that you proofread the letter once it is completed and highlight all the keywords and other important details before submitting your answers to the examiner.
3. Brainstorming the ideas and other details in advance
Use the right language, brainstorm all the little details that are required to be put in your answer in advance. Sparing a few minutes to plan a cohesive and coherent answer in advance will ensure you get the edge over other candidates.
What should you not do?
There are a few mistakes that you must avoid making when it comes to an informal letter in your IELTS task 1 general training exam.
Follow our YouTube channel “Unlock IELTS with Richa” for more such great tips and tricks to crack your upcoming IELTS exam in an easy way. All the best!
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