Using the wrong tone can seriously affect your band score in Task Achievement and Lexical Resource. Whether your letter is formal, semi-formal, or informal completely changes how you greet, sign off, and express your ideas.
🛠️ How to Identify the Tone:
| Clue in the Prompt | Tone Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| “Write to your friend…” | Informal | Talking to someone you know well |
| “Write to your landlord / manager / company…” | Formal | Talking to someone you don’t know or who holds authority |
| “Write to your neighbour / colleague / teacher” | Semi-Formal | Talking to someone you know, but not closely |
📝 Tone Differences in Action:
| Letter Part | Formal | Semi-Formal | Informal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Dear Sir/Madam / Mr. Brown | Dear Mr. Ali / Dear Ms. Jones | Hi Sarah / Dear John |
| Language | Polite, professional, passive voice | Friendly yet respectful | Casual, friendly, contractions used |
| Sign-off | Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely | Best regards / Kind regards | Thanks / Take care / See you soon |
💡 Sample Mini Practice:
Prompt 1: Write to your manager asking for a day off.
➡️ Tone: Formal
Prompt 2: Write to your friend inviting them to your wedding.
➡️ Tone: Informal
Prompt 3: Write to your neighbor complaining about noise.
➡️ Tone: Semi-formal
✅ Pro Tip:
If you’re unsure, go slightly more formal. It’s better to be too polite than too casual in the IELTS exam!
🧪 Mini Exercise for You:
Classify the following prompts into Formal, Semi-formal, or Informal:
- Write a letter to your friend about your recent trip.
- Write a letter to your bank manager to report a lost credit card.
- Write a letter to your colleague to inform about a project delay.
