IELTS General Training: 8 Step Letter Writing Structure
Parts of a letter
Formal (Business)
1
Greeting (Salutation)
2
Opening statements
3
Paragraph 1
Dear + Sir /Madam/Mr/Mrs/Ms/full
Dear John,
name
Introduce yourself and state why you are State why you are writing
writing
Explain the situation (1st point + detail)
Explain the situation (1st point + detail)
4
Paragraph 2
Describe the problem (2nd point +
detail)
5
Paragraph 3
Say what you would like to happen
(3rd point + detail)
6
Closing statement
7
Signal the end of the letter (I look
forward to meeting you/hearing from
you etc.)
End the letter (Sign off ) Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely, etc.
8
Signature
Your name (made up name in exam )
Semi-formal (work colleague)
Describe the problem (2nd point
+detail)
Say what you would like to happen
(3rd point + detail)
Signal the end of the letter (I look
forward to seeing you/hearing from you
etc.)
All the best, Yours sincerely, Kind
regards etc.
Your name or made up name in exam
Informal (family and friends)
Dear, Hi, Hello,
State why you are writing
Explain the situation (1st point + detail)
Describe the problem (2nd point + detail)
Say what you would like to happen
(3rd point + detail)
Signal the end of the letter (I am looking
forward to seeing you/hearing from you
etc.)
All the best, See you soon!
Your name or made up name in exam