IELTS is a proficient exam that tests an individual's level of English language proficiency. Furthermore, the IELTS writing part is one of the most essential skills you must master in writing letters. Understanding the structure and tone of the language used in a letter leads to scoring a good amount of marks. Whether asked to write a formal or informal letter, knowing the difference between the two is crucial for achieving a satisfactory score. At Visazone, the Best IELTS Coaching in Ahmedabad, we have professionals to guide you in the writing techniques of formal and informal letters.
A formal letter requires a professional tone and is used in professional scenarios. Meanwhile, an informal letter is more conversational and friendly and leaves a very jolly impact on the reader. Understanding and achieving the right tone will impact your score by 25% and boost your results.
While you write a letter, it is essential to consider the factor of who you are addressing the letter to. If the question mentions that you have to write a letter to your friend, then you will need to write in an informal tone, and if the letter is addressed to a company or a professional, then using a formal tone becomes a necessity.
The tone in which the letter is drafted can drastically change how your message is portrayed.
The tone of the letters depends on who the letter is addressed to and not the topic. It is the foremost essential rule to remember while writing a letter.
If the question mentions the word "friend" then switch to an informal style. If it states something about a professional, stick to a formal tone.
It is important for you to get a professional student visa consultant because it help you make the whole process smooth. Here is a list of 12 Advantages of Student Visa Consultants for your guidance. Now, let us understand the framing of Formal Letters.
Formal letters are written to those people you do not know well, such as an employee, boss, company, or institution. Other diversified areas are customer service representatives and similar fields. Here is a breakdown of how you can structure your formal IELTS letter after the address, date, and subject :
Start with - Dear Sir/Madam (If you do not know the name of the recipient)
If you know the name of the recipient, then use Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Along with the last name.
The first paragraph will explain why you are writing the letter. Ensure that your tone is polite and respectable.
For example :
This kind of tone helps to ensure politeness in IELTS Letter Writing. It makes the purpose of the letter clear from the very start.
The IELTS question will provide you with a few essential points that you need to cover. Each point should have a paragraph in which you can explain the scenario in detail. Do sure to focus on the task and avoid any use of casual language, for instance :
I would appreciate it if you could provide more information regarding this.
When it comes to the closing part of a formal letter, you can go for phases like :
If you are a candidate preparing for IELTS, remember that every word counts while you write a letter, and instead of using contractions use full forms. Make sure you do not do any silly spelling mistakes.
Informal letters are usually addressed to friends or close family members. They have a relaxed tone but need to follow a clear structure and display good grammar. Here is how you can structure your IELTS Letter Writing, especially informal letters after address, date, and subject.
As you are probably writing this type of letter to a known person, you can use their first name. For example :
Dear Sam
While you write to a known person. Start asking your friend about their health and their current life situation or making a casual comment at the very start. For Example :
I hope you are in good health, Sam.
After the greeting part, move forward and mention the purpose of your letter, but keep the tone light and conversational.
This part of the letter is similar to the formal letters. You need to cover the main points given in the questions and build qualitative content for a better score. However, in informal letters of IELTS Letter Writing, you can use contractions, phrasal verbs, and more casual expressions. For example :
I was waiting to tell you about my new job
I hope you like the surprise I arranged for you.
You need to ensure that the tone stays consistent during the entire letter. Furthermore, use correct grammar and structure. Avoid using any slang like OMG or LOL. Our coaching will help you understand various perspectives on How to Score 8+ Bands in IELTS.
You can choose to end your informal letter in a friendly way, such as :
Writing to a friend is like having a conversation on paper.
| Basis | Formal Letters | Informal Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Formal letters are polite and respectful | Informal letters are relaxed and conversational. |
| Language | Avoid contractions and casual expressions in formal letters | Use contractions and casual expressions in informal letters |
| Salutation | Formal letters start with “Dear Sir/Madam” or “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]” | Informal letters start with the first name |
| Closing | Use your sincerely or faithfully for formal letters | “Take care/Best wishes” for informal letters. |
Knowing and understanding the difference between formal and informal letters is crucial for success in the IELTS Letter Writing Task. At Visa Zone, we ensure that our students learn the differences in structure, tone, language, etc. Thus, if you wish to achieve your dream, connect with us for the best IELTS Coaching in Ahmedabad to get the most suitable score in your exam.
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