IELTS General: Effective Letter Writing Techniques

 

The IELTS General Training Writing test requires you to write a letter in response to a given situation. This letter is designed to test your ability to communicate in English in a formal or semi-formal context. To help you improve your letter writing skills for the IELTS General test, we've put together some effective strategies along with examples.

1. Understand the task

Before you start writing, make sure you read the task carefully and understand what is required of you. Pay attention to the purpose of the letter, the target audience, and the tone of the letter (formal or informal).

For example:

Task: Write a letter to your landlord about a problem in your apartment.

Purpose: To inform your landlord about a problem and request a solution.

Target audience: Your landlord.

Tone: Semi-formal.

2. Plan your letter

Take some time to plan your letter. Decide on the structure of your letter, including the opening, body, and closing paragraphs. Think about what you want to say and how you want to say it.

For example:

Opening: State the purpose of your letter and provide some background information about the problem.

Body: Describe the problem in detail and provide evidence to support your claim. Offer possible solutions and suggest a course of action.

Closing: Express your appreciation for your landlord's attention to the matter and provide your contact information for follow-up.

3. Use appropriate language and tone

Your letter should be written in appropriate language and tone. If the task requires a formal tone, avoid using contractions, slang, or colloquial expressions. Use appropriate salutations and closing statements.

For example:

Semi-formal tone:

Dear Mr./Ms. [Landlord's Name],

I am writing to bring to your attention a problem that I have been experiencing in my apartment.

I have noticed that the water pressure in my bathroom has been consistently low for the past week, making it difficult to take a shower. I have tried to fix the problem myself, but I have not been successful.

I would appreciate it if you could send someone to investigate the issue and find a solution as soon as possible. If there is anything I can do to assist, please let me know.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

4. Practice, Practice, Practice

The more you practice writing letters, the better you will become. You can practice by writing letters to friends, family, or colleagues, or by using sample questions and tasks from the IELTS website.

Writing an effective letter for the IELTS General test requires you to understand the task, plan your letter, use appropriate language and tone, and practice. By following these strategies and using the examples provided, you'll be well on your way to achieving a high score on the IELTS General test. Good luck!