IELTS Writing Task 1 General: IELTS Letter Writing Guide

This guide covers everything you need to write a successful IELTS letter in the General Training exam. By the end, you’ll know how to choose the correct tone, structure your response, and avoid the mistakes that cost candidates marks.

The IELTS letter is one of two writing tasks in the General Training test. Unlike the Academic version, which asks you to describe charts and graphs (see Academic Task 1 requirements), General Training requires you to write a letter responding to a specific situation. You have 20 minutes to write at least 150 words.

Getting this task right can significantly improve your overall IELTS score. Here’s exactly how to do it.

What Is an IELTS Letter and How Does It Differ from Task 2?

An IELTS letter is a 150-word minimum correspondence task. You must follow specific conventions: an appropriate greeting, a clear body, and a suitable closing. The format depends entirely on who you’re writing to and why.

Task 2 is different. That’s a 250-word essay requiring formal argumentation with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. You have 40 minutes for Task 2, compared to just 20 for Task 1. Understanding this difference helps you manage your time across the complete writing section. For Task 2 preparation, see this guide on IELTS Writing Task 2 essay structure.

The IELTS letter tests your ability to communicate in everyday situations. Can you request information from a company? Apologise to a friend? Complain to a landlord? These practical skills matter for living and working in English-speaking countries, which is why UK Visas and Immigration accepts IELTS scores for visa applications.

The Three Types of IELTS Letter Formats

Every IELTS letter falls into one of three categories: formal, semi-formal, or informal. Choosing the wrong format will hurt your Task Achievement score. Here’s how to tell them apart:

For informal letters, contractions are fine, but avoid abbreviations like ‘see ya’ or acronyms like ‘OMG’. The examiners want natural informal English, not text-message language.

How to Structure Your IELTS Letter for Band 7+

Strong structure is essential for scoring Band 7 or higher. Follow this four-paragraph approach:

Opening paragraph: State your purpose immediately. Why are you writing? The examiner should understand your reason within the first two sentences. Make sure this purpose directly responds to the situation described in the question.

Middle paragraphs (two paragraphs): Address each bullet point from the prompt. Every IELTS letter prompt contains three bullet points. Dedicate adequate space to each one. Don’t just mention them briefly. Expand with relevant details, feelings, or examples.

Closing paragraph: End appropriately for your letter type. Formal letters might request action (‘I look forward to your response’). Informal letters might express hope to meet soon (‘Can’t wait to catch up!’).

The British Council, which co-owns the IELTS test, emphasises that candidates must address all three bullet points fully. Missing one or treating it superficially will limit your score.

Opening and Closing Phrases That Work

Your opening line sets the tone for the entire IELTS letter. Here are phrases that work for each type:

Formal openings (complaints, requests, applications):

• ‘I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction with…’
• ‘I am writing to respectfully request…’
• ‘I would be grateful if you would consider my application for…’

Semi-formal openings:

• ‘I am writing regarding the issue we discussed last week.’
• ‘I wanted to follow up on our recent conversation about…’

Informal openings (advice, arrangements, congratulations):

• ‘I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to share some news.’
• ‘Great to hear from you! Here’s what I think about…’
• ‘Amazing news about your promotion!’

For closings, match the formality level:

• Formal: ‘I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.’
• Semi-formal: ‘Please let me know if you need any further information.’
• Informal: ‘Hope to see you soon!’ or ‘Take care and write back when you can.’

Time Management: Writing Your IELTS Letter in 20 Minutes

Twenty minutes sounds short. Here’s how to use every minute effectively:

Minutes 1-3: Analyse and plan
Read the prompt twice. Identify three things: who you’re writing to, what the purpose is, and what the three bullet points require. Decide your format (formal, semi-formal, or informal). Jot down two or three ideas for each bullet point.

Minutes 4-18: Write
Follow your plan. Write your opening paragraph first, then tackle each bullet point in a separate paragraph. Aim for 150-180 words. Going significantly over wastes time you need for Task 2, which carries more weight in your final score.

Minutes 19-20: Proofread
Check for spelling errors, missing articles (‘a’, ‘the’), and subject-verb agreement mistakes. These small errors add up. A quick review can catch them before they cost you marks.

One important note: you don’t need to include addresses in your IELTS letter. Modern exam formats rarely require them. Start directly with your greeting.

IELTS Letter Scoring Criteria Explained

Examiners assess your IELTS letter using four criteria, each worth 25% of your Task 1 score:

Task Achievement
Did you address all three bullet points? Did you state your purpose clearly? Did you maintain a consistent tone throughout? Did you use the correct format for the situation? Candidates lose marks here by skipping bullet points or mixing formal and informal language inappropriately.

Coherence and Cohesion
Is your letter organised logically? Does each paragraph flow into the next? Did you use linking words (‘furthermore’, ‘however’, ‘therefore’) to connect ideas? Create a new paragraph for each bullet point. This alone improves your coherence score.

Lexical Resource
Did you use a range of vocabulary? Did you avoid repeating the same words? Did you choose words appropriate for your tone? Formal letters need words like ‘regarding’ and ‘request’. Informal letters use ‘about’ and ‘ask’. Spelling accuracy matters here too.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Did you use a variety of sentence structures? Can you write complex sentences correctly? Did you minimise errors in tense, agreement, and punctuation? The official IELTS website provides detailed band descriptors showing exactly what examiners look for.

According to Cambridge Assessment English, which co-develops the test, candidates who score Band 7+ demonstrate control across all four criteria.

Tone and Vocabulary: Formal vs Informal

Choosing the right tone requires answering two questions about your IELTS letter prompt.

Question 1: Who are you writing to?

Writing to a friend, colleague, or family member? Use informal language. Writing to a manager, landlord, or organisation? Use formal language.

Question 2: What is the purpose?

The more serious the purpose, the more formal your tone should be. Making a complaint or request where you need something? Be formal. Offering help or sharing news? You can relax.

Here’s the practical difference:

Formal vocabulary tends to be longer and more objective. You write complete sentences without contractions. ‘I am writing to request a refund’ rather than ‘I’m writing because I want my money back’.

Informal vocabulary uses everyday words, contractions, and personal expressions. ‘I think you should definitely try the new restaurant’ rather than ‘I would recommend that you consider dining at the new establishment’.

Useful formal phrases:

• ‘I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused.’
• ‘I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.’
• ‘I urge you to take immediate action.’

Useful informal phrases:

• ‘Why don’t you try talking to someone about it?’
• ‘If I were you, I’d definitely go for it.’
• ‘Couldn’t be happier for you!’

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your IELTS Letter

Certain errors appear repeatedly in IELTS letter responses. Knowing them helps you avoid them.

Ignoring bullet points: Every prompt has three specific points you must address. Skipping one or addressing it vaguely will cap your Task Achievement score. Before submitting, count: did you cover all three?

Mixing tone inconsistently: Starting formal and ending informal confuses examiners. Once you’ve chosen your tone, maintain it throughout. Don’t write ‘Dear Sir’ and then close with ‘Cheers’.

Writing too few words: The minimum is 150 words. Writing fewer triggers a penalty. Aim for 150-180 words. That’s enough to address everything properly without rushing.

Forgetting the purpose: State why you’re writing in your opening paragraph. Don’t make the examiner guess. ‘I am writing to complain about…’ or ‘I wanted to tell you about…’ makes your purpose immediately clear.

Using inappropriate register: Don’t use academic language in an informal letter. Don’t use slang in a formal letter. Match your vocabulary to your audience.

Neglecting proofreading: Spelling mistakes, missing articles, and incorrect verb forms are easy to fix if you leave two minutes for checking. Many candidates don’t.

Sample Templates and Practice Strategies

Templates provide useful scaffolding for your IELTS letter practice. Here’s a basic structure you can adapt:

Formal letter template:

Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to [state purpose clearly].
[Paragraph addressing first bullet point with specific details]
[Paragraph addressing second and third bullet points]
I would appreciate [specific action you want]. I look forward to your response.
Yours faithfully,
[Full name]

Informal letter template:

Dear [Name],
Hope you're doing well! I'm writing because [purpose].
[News, advice, or information related to first bullet point]
[Remaining bullet points with personal touches]
[Closing thought or question]
Take care,
[First name]

Practice strategies that work:

1. Write one IELTS letter daily for two weeks. Vary the types: complaints, requests, invitations, apologies.
2. Time yourself strictly. Use a stopwatch. Twenty minutes only.
3. After writing, check your work against the four criteria. Did you address all points? Is your tone consistent? Did you vary your vocabulary and grammar?
4. Read sample Band 7+ responses. Notice how they balance all requirements.
5. Get feedback from a teacher or tutor. Self-assessment has limits.

Putting It All Together

Writing a successful IELTS letter comes down to three things: choosing the correct tone, addressing all bullet points fully, and managing your 20 minutes wisely.

Identify your audience first. Are they a stranger, an acquaintance, or a close contact? That decision shapes everything else.

State your purpose in the opening paragraph. Develop each bullet point in the body. Close appropriately for your format.

Leave time to check your work. Small errors in spelling and grammar accumulate. A two-minute review catches most of them.

The IELTS letter might seem straightforward compared to the essay in Task 2. But underestimating it is a mistake. Strong performance here builds confidence and contributes meaningfully to your overall Writing band score.

Start practising today. Choose a prompt, set your timer, and write. Each letter you complete brings you closer to the score you need.